Archive for category Coast

Self-catering holidays still popular for 2012

Jan 6

Posted by elisa in Coast, Cornwall, Cottages Search, reports | No Comments

One in three travellers are opting for self-catering holidays in order to keep control of their budgets this year.

Research from the TravelSupermarket Travel Trends Tracker has revealed that of the 5,000 people questioned, only 8% intend on taking a short city break this year, compared to 11% last year. The research indicated that this is because holidaymakers are less likely to plan for an ‘extra’ break away this year, making all short breaks on the decline.

Bob Atkinson, of TravelSupermarket said: “We have seen that in 2012 there will be a significant decrease in those taking a short break of less than seven nights.

“Perhaps thought of as an ‘extra’ break the research also shows a reduction in the number of people going away for stag and hen dos, nights away for a special occasion and for friends or family weddings.

“However, the reduced demand may well lead to an increase in the number of bargains around, in which case we may see short breaks pick up again in the second half of the year.”

The most popular holiday (37%) is by the beach. For those of you in this camp, you can find plenty of beach-based cottages on the Holiday Cottages site.

7 Fun Things to do in Norfolk

Dec 7

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Articles, Christmas, Coast, Cottages Search, family days out, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, Norfolk, shopping and culture | No Comments

Below is a guest post from Kett Country Cottages in Norfolk. Let us know what you think — it’s always interesting to get a different point of view, and we’re hoping to do more of these in future. Looking for more ideas? You can read our Norfolk holiday guide on the main Holiday Cottages site.

We all enjoy the traditional Christmas feast with our family, but what else is there to do if you decide to go on holiday in Norfolk this festive season? Going on holiday to this part of England can add some extra excitement to your family Christmas, so go out and have an adventure this year!

Going for a Christmas swim. In Norfolk, the glory of the North Sea is there for all to enjoy, with a number of hardy folk jumping into the sea over Christmas time. There are 3 on consecutive days, so you can go to one or all of them, depending on your tolerance for cold.
- Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim (Hunstanton, 25^th December at 11am)
- Cromer Boxing Day Swim (Cromer, 26^th December at 10am)
- Overstrand Boxing Day Swim (Overstrand, 26^th December at 11am)
Enjoy a Christmas Spectacular. In Thursford, you have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most popular Christmas shows, which features carols, dancers, beautiful costumes and wonderful music. It’s an event the whole family can enjoy. (Shows every day at 2pm and 7pm until the 23^rd December)
Take a trip on a heritage railway. A number of different lines throughout Norfolk, including the Poppy Line, are running festive services where you can enjoy a train journey to see Santa, travelling through the countryside while munching on mince pies.
Visit a Norwich Christmas Market. There are a large number of special Christmas Markets happening throughout Norwich, which each offer a unique range of little gifts and treats for the whole family to enjoy when you return to your Christmas holiday cottage. In the Mall, you can find the Norwich Christmas Craft Fair (From 9am every day until 24^th December)
Attend the Pantomime. This year Sleeping Beauty is playing at the Norwich Theatre Royal until the 14^th of January, so you can take the whole family to enjoy the fun and laughter of a panto featuring well-known actors, and songs that everyone can sing along to.
Take a guided walk or tour. Some of the most interesting sights in Norfolk can only seen if you know where to look and a guide can help you find them. There are a number of different guided tours happening, including:
- Victorian Ghosts, a walk hosted by the Man in Black, who will tell you the unusual stories that aren’t told on most ghost walks. You can also finish off in the festive spirit with some mulled wine (Adam & Eve Pub, Norwich, 22^nd December at 7pm)
- The Boxing Day walk at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, will allow you to get a guided tour around this beautiful garden from its head gardener, ending with mince pies and mulled wines (South Walsham, 26^th December at 11am)
Watch Morris Dancing. This traditional English dancing is being performed by the Kemps Men of Norwich, including their Mummers Dance. This is a fun event that the whole family can watch and enjoy. (Banningham Crown Pub, 26^th December at 12 noon)

Durham Lumiere

Nov 23

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, art, Articles, Availability, Coast, Cottages Search, Durham, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, shopping and culture, Tips, Uncategorized, Walking | No Comments

Cedric Le Borgne 'Les Voyageurs'

Deadgood Studio 'Rainbow'

Jaques Rival 'I Love Durham'

This weekend I went to the Lumiere festival in Durham. It was a wonderful event which showed off this beautiful city to its best advantage. Light art illuminated prominent parts of this historic place, such as Kingsgate bridge transformed into a huge illuminated waterfall entitled ‘Splash’ by artist Peter Lewis and engineered by Water Sculptures. Martin Warren lit up three more of Durham’s bridges, Cedric Le Borgne suspended brightly illuminated sculptures of men above a particularly narrow cobbled street giving a magical essence to the walk. These, along with many more made for a really enjoyable experience and would also encourage me to visit again, even without the festival.

A small drive away in Northallerton are these 4 cottages which sleep 2-4. These former farm buildings have been imaginatively converted into 4 well equipped and attractive holiday cottages. Original beams have been retained and there is central heating for year round appeal. All the cottages have TV with Freeview, video and radio cassette/CD player, fully equipped kitchens with washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and microwave, cots and highchairs. The cottages are set in peaceful countryside and have magnificent views. They are perfect if you want to combine a visit to Durham, with great walks and even a drive over to the seaside with Whitby within easy reach.

Sunshine on your doorstep

Jul 27

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Coast, Cornwall, Cottages Search, West Country | No Comments

Summer has arrived and there are some brilliant offers for August bookings from Helpful Holidays if you get in quick. With the weather as it is at the moment, and beautiful coastlines and countryside on your doorstep in the UK, I can’t imagine why you would feel the need to go abroad!

You could stay in this converted fort in Plymouth for a quirky style of accommodation with beautiful sea views. This Helpful Holidays apartment has stunning 180 degree sea views from Plymouth Sound to Cawsand and Looe beyond. Inside comprises of a hall, living/dining room (TV/DVD), smart fitted kitchen area (washer-drier, microwave) full of interesting pictures and pieces of china, glazed doors to balcony (table/chairs). At the back, overlooking the gardens, two bedrooms – one twin (TV), and one with single and pull-out truckle; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Sleeps maximum of 4, including babies.

If you book now for the remaining weeks in July and August you’ll get 30% off!

Exeter Food and Drink Festival

Apr 13

Posted by elisa in Articles, Coast, Cottages Search, Devon, Events, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, West Country | 1 Comment

29th April – 1st May is the Exeter Food and Drink Festival, and with the weather the way that it is at the moment, what better time to go and sample a wide variety of foods and drinks and also to watch 4 Michelin star chefs in the cookery theatre. Rob Dawe of Ashburton Cookery School will also be there – I visited the School last year and can testify that the instruction was brilliant and the food tasty! Check out the full blog here.

Mama Stone’s House Band will headline the musical entertainment on the 29th, and feature soul and R&B artist Leigh Coleman and Adam Isaac. Adam’s songs have a bouncy funk/rock edge and his music is full of energy with outstanding vocals, a perfect way to celebrate the big day. Peachy Farmer, a six piece band playing a mix of ska, reggae and dub will headline on Saturday 30th, supported by Jabbrock, to keep the crowds bouncing as the sun goes down.

The Royal Wedding day will be a particular time for celebration, so expect a big party!

Why not try this Helpful Holidays cottage (G28) in nearby Exmouth for a bit of fun on the beach before catching the train or bus to Exeter’s centre – it’s only a short trip away and very scenic (this is a route I know well from my University days). The property sleeps 6 and is ½ mile from the seafront/beach, quietly tucked away close to the heart of town (station, 500 yards), a neat, end of terrace cottage, on four levels, with a fresh, modern seaside feel, it has a pretty suntrap courtyard at the back, and, from the top floor bedroom, great panoramic views over town to the Exe estuary and Lympstone beyond.

Only 13% of foreign tourists visit the coast

Mar 14

Posted by elisa in Coast, News, reports, Tourist Board | No Comments

According to a new report from VisitBritain, only 13% of the 30 million foreign tourists visit coastal towns and cities when they visit the UK.

The tourist board said 3.9million overseas travellers visited the coast in 2009, spending £2 billion on trips. Scotland’s coastline attracted the highest number with 768,000 foreigners visiting Edinburgh, 312,000 heading to Glasgow and 180,000 to Inverness.

Top English destinations were Liverpool, which has the redeveloped Albert Dock and canal. Brighton and Hove, which includes two piers and eight miles of coastline and had 128,000 foreign visitors. Bristol attracted 119,000 and Cardiff’s coastline, which features the coast of Glamorgan, had 110,000 visitors.

Germans visited coasts most often – making over half a million visits – and there were over 400,000 visits from French and American visitors.

Interestingly Chinese and Russian visitors are much more likely to visit the coast (one in four visitors) than visitors from France and India (one in eight).

The report comes as VisitBritain is preparing to launch British Tourism Week with a series of parties on seaside piers across the country.

Save Hastings Pier

Feb 17

Posted by elisa in Coast, Events, family days out, Festivals, Tourist Board | No Comments

The pier in its glory, photo by Flickr user drew_anywhere Hastings Pier was devastated by fire last year and British Tourism Week has teamed up with Coast magazine to launch a campaign to raise funds to restore it.

The new campaign is calling for people to take part in a sponsored Great Pier Promenade to help return the Pier to its former state. The aim is for people to walk along as many British piers as possible over spring and summer to raise money towards restoration work.

The Great Pier Promenade starts on Saturday 12th March by Hastings Pier, during a Party on the Prom, including a market and performances by local poets, musicians and comedians. This campaign is also to coincide with VisitBritain’s Party on the Pier, a celebration of British piers during British Tourism Week..

Comic Jo Brand, who is in support of the campaign said: “Every seaside should have its pier, that symbol of fun, frivolity and, for me, many nights spent drunkenly dancing at its far end to the popular bands of the time. When I got chucked out of home at 17, I rented a bedsit overlooking Hastings Pier, so it featured in my landscape for a number of years. I’d hate to see it disappear forever.”

The New Forest

Feb 15

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Coast, Cottages Search, family days out, Holiday advice, New Forest, Romantic breaks, Walking, wildlife | No Comments

Now that spring is in the air the New Forest would be a good place to visit for a romantic break or family holiday. With idyllic woods and open moorland across 90,000 acres of National Park and 43 miles of coastline, it has a lot to offer. You can go on some extremely picturesque walks through ancient woodland where ponies, cattle and deer roam over wild heathland. The National Park is only 90 minutes from London Waterloo but so far away in terms of city life’s stresses and strains.

For the more adventurous amongst you, there are a range of water sports on the Beaulieu River and Go Ape’s extreme high-wire forest fun is not easily forgotten.

Beaulieu is famous for its National Motor Museum, which features more than 250 vehicles from every era and Paultons Park has become a family favourite for its many rides and activities as well as the soon-to-open Peppa Pig World attraction. At Longdown Activity Farm children can learn about the animals and you can hold and fly some of Britain’s most beautiful birds of prey at Amews Falconry.

Another appeal of the New Forest is that it’s only a short drive from the woodland heart to the coast to enjoy some fish & chips and crabbing at Lymington. A great starting point for any visit is the New Forest Centre at Lyndhurst where you can find everything you need to know, and during the summer you can also jump on the New Forest Tour bus to guide you around coast and forest scenery from 15 feet up!

How about this lovely cottage that sleeps up to 5 and is situated along a quiet residential lane in the village of Sway, on the southern edge of the New Forest, four miles from the coast at Lymington and the same distance to Brockenhurst. Newly built and carefully designed to incorporate many period features, combined with quality fixtures and fittings. The ground floor is completely open plan for informal living and the cottage offers light and bright holiday accommodation. Lovely in the summer with the French doors and stable doors open to the garden, warm and cosy in the winter with a wood burning stove for snug evenings around the fire.

Review of 2010

Jan 5

Posted by elisa in art, Articles, Coast, Cottages Search, Devon, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, News, North West, Rail, shopping and culture, Surveys, Tips, Tourist Board, Transport, Wales, Walking, Weather, West Country, Yorkshire | 1 Comment

2010 was a year jam-packed with travel related news stories, festivals and events. I’ve taken the liberty of collating some of Holiday Cottages’ best blog posts over the year to give an overall review so you don’t have to go searching for them yourself!

January started with testing out my culinary skills at the Ashburton Cookery School in Devon.

A survey in February showed high speed rail was more important to people than airport expansions.

The Shambles in York was voted most picturesque street in March. There was also trouble on the railways with a Network Rail threatened strike.

Easter was a staycation preference in April.

There were many family fun festivals between May and August.

Even before the Royal wedding announcement we found out how the Royals are key to UK tourism.

27 West Country beaches were awarded blue flags in August, showing that the West Country is a great place to visit!

We were given tips on how to give tourists a better welcome during the Olympics.

Taxing times for holiday rental businesses.

The famous Exmoor Food Festival was in October, tickling visitor’s taste buds!

Bonfire Night had many events to travel to, including the flaming barrel run in Ottery St. Mary’s!

It got very cold in November and December as part of the big freeze.

The year ended with a little early Christmas cheer for the travel industry!

So there’s a pick of the Holiday Cottages blog coverage of events and news over the year. For travel news pertaining to outbound travel don’t forget to check out our sister site’s blog, Villaseek. There will be a run down of the year’s news on there very soon also!

Cottage expansion

Dec 28

Posted by jason in Advertisers, Coast, Devon, Somerset | No Comments

West Country cottage specialists, Helpful Holidays, report booming business and are expanding into North and East Devon for 2011 with an increase in properties in both these regions. Other areas seeing growth for next year include Exmoor, Somerset, the coast near Newquay and the far west of Cornwall.

Offering holidays for nearly 30 years, the agency continues to see very high levels of enquiries from both holidaymakers and home owners.

“It may be as a result of the current economic climate and euro exchange rate, or concern about the environmental impact of flying, but more people are planning holidays in the UK,” says general manager Moray Bowater.

“Booking levels were excellent in 2010, helped by a growing awareness that England, and in particular the West Country, has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world,” continued Mr Bowater. “Bookings for 2011 are looking good; we are confident that the market for top level, self-catering accommodation will continue to grow.”

Many of Helpful Holidays’ properties are exceptionally plush and the agency has a reputation for offering big and beautiful places, with 68 of its houses sleeping ten or more.

Tags: Cornwall, Exmoor, Helpful Holidays, Moray Bowater

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