Archive for category Cornwall

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.

Half Term holidays in the West Country

Oct 12

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, art, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Devon, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Walking, West Country | No Comments

With half term fast approaching you may still be scratching your head about what to do and where to go. Well, ponder no more with our list of things going on in the West Country!

24th – 28th October is spooky time at Pecorama in Beer. There are shows such as Ben the Juggler, A Wizard Called Ozz and Dan the Hat. Alongside these are face painting, special dishes in the Garden Room Restaurant and free spooky treats for children as part of the fancy dress party!

27th October sees a return to nature with the Mortonhampstead Family Bush Craft Day with Dan Thompson-Mills. Learn the skills of wild fire-making, making shelters in the woods, collecting and eating wild foods, and other outdoor skills. Also, learn how to read the language of the birds and develop a deeper connection to nature. The best thing is that children under 15yrs go free with a paying adult.

22nd – 30th October allows visitors of Lanhydrock in Bodmin to join a spooky garden trail for just £1.50 a ticket. Or you could learn how to make a lantern with local artist Liz Tyrell for £5 a ticket.

22nd – 30th October Celebrate Halloween at the Eden Project on their beautiful and unique wintry rink, which has a new design for 2011. Halloween activities and events include: ice skating, pumpkin carving demonstrations, wand making and potion mixing.

If any of these take your fancy, look at Helpful Holidays for accommodation down in the beautiful West Country.

Vote for Helpful Holidays!

Sep 17

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Devon, News, Tips, West Country | No Comments

We’ve been working with Helpful Holidays for quite some time and we think that they are a brilliant company with some outstanding cottages! Their standing as a great company has now been officially recognised as they are nominated for the first time in the British Travel Awards!

They’ve been nominated for the ‘Best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company (UK Properties)’ and are in the running with 12 other companies in this category. Most of the other companies are big national players, so Helpful Holidays will need your help to be in with a chance of winning!

Please support them by clicking here or going to https://britishtravelawards.com/vote_form_secure.php before the closing date of 30th September.

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!

South West bookings soar

Jun 23

Posted by jason in Cornwall, Devon, dorset, Holiday advice, reports, Somerset | 1 Comment

Early bookings this year for self-catering rental properties in the South West were up by almost 70 per cent compared with the same time last year, according to data from the Exeter office of estate agent Knight Frank.

And properties in the region are also being let out for longer. Miles Kevin, head of Knight Frank’s residential development team in the South West, says that existing holiday property owners should be optimistic:

“The number of letting weeks has increased significantly in recent years. Five or six years ago, it typically was around 25 weeks but now it runs for around 32 weeks, driven in part by people opting to take long weekends earlier and later in the year – in the softer climate of Devon and Cornwall, this can be as late as November. The signs suggest that holiday properties will remain in demand as the economy improves.”

Knight Frank has also seen a rise in the number of people considering a second home as a stable, long-term investment. Many holiday home buyers are approaching retirement age and looking for a wise use of equity released from selling the large family property; some relocate to the area and live in their property while they search for a new primary residence. There has also been a rise in the number of buyers who see a second home as a mixture of business and pleasure, planning to use the property themselves for leisure as well as to rent it out.

“Current yields for new-build properties in prime (coastal, or historic town) pockets of the South West are healthier than ever,” says Miles Kevin. “We are seeing some of the schemes we’re selling achieve a yield of up to eight per cent. For example, a two-bedroom flat with a modern interior in Newquay, Cornwall, can command £1,000 or more a week during July and August. However, a less-modernised property might only bring in £650. The holiday letting market looks for quality and will not put up with ‘Granny’s furniture’ any more, so a newly built, well furnished property often better fits the bill.”

Tags: Knight Frank, Miles Kevin, Newquay

Teddy Bear Festival!

Jun 16

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Events, family days out, Fun, West Country | No Comments

Now I love teddy bears. It’s not something that you might expect as I don’t have a big collection sitting in my flat or anything, but I have a select few which sit back at my parents house from when I was younger that I still love dearly. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in my teddy nostalgia, so thought I’d write about the Cornwall Summer Bear Fair on 26th June at Lostwithiel Community Centre.

There are over 45 stands and hundreds of teddies, new and old, designer and antique. You can even take your teddy for free valuations and restoration advice. There’s also a teddy bear hospital and bear-making demonstrations, kits, patterns, materials and accessories. Enter the Champagne Competition for ‛Best Own Bear Creation’ with a ‛summer/beach’ theme – dressed or undressed!

It’s a shame I can’t get down to Cornwall that weekend, but links to pictures from anyone who does go would be appreciated!

If you fancy tying in your visit with a holiday, why not try this recently built, ‘upside down’ detached house with stunning long rural views in Pensilva. It and the owners’ house stand in 24 acres of private woods and paddocks, full of birdsong and wildlife and over which you are welcome to walk. There are ponies, sheep and a very friendly spaniel. A paradise for those who appreciate the natural environment and a lovely setting for your newly acquired teddy.

This Helpful Holidays property has a neat, enclosed patio with table/chairs, door to large hall/utility room with slate floor, washing machine, freezer, drying rack (for coats/boots); two bedrooms – a double (5’ bed), and a twin, both with lovely views; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Stairs up to open-plan living/dining/fitted kitchen (dishwasher, microwave) with TV/DVD, electric ‘living flame’ fire, lots of sunlight through two French windows (both with closed balconies) and those fantastic views. A very romantic spot and an excellent base for walking. Good equestrian centre (trekking, cross-country), 10 minutes away.

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival!

Jun 9

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Events, family days out, Festivals, Fun, West Country | No Comments

Fancy singing some sea shanties? Well the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival sounds like the festival for you! This 17th, 18th and 19th June brings the best sea shanty singers around to Falmouth for this delightful festival.

The Opening Ceremony will be at 6.30pm on Custom House Quay and the singing programme will begin at 7pm on two of the three main stages (Custom House Quay and Events Square) until 10pm, and at several other venues in town until late!

Saturday’s main programme will begin at 11.00am, with the Moor Piazza main stage opening its programme alongside the other two main stages and again several venues in town. This year, there are special events starting at 10.30am with singing on board the historic replica, the Matthew and Trelissick Gardens (both of these events will carry a charge).

Check out more details at the main website.

And as a base, try the East Wing of this fine neo-classical Georgian house with extensive views over the Fal Estuary. Private gardens (patio, table/chairs) to enjoy, as well as the National Trust parkland and gardens of Trelissick Estate which stretch down to the sea and along woodland, riverside and coastal walks. Trelissick East is private from visitors to the gardens, although the National Trust restaurant and shop are within easy walking distance. Tours of the Copeland China collection are available (by arrangement), and the owner’s family live in the main house and are on hand if needed.

Trelissick East (Ref: S231), from Helpful Holidays is self-contained with large, light, beautifully furnished rooms and south-facing views over parkland and out to sea from most windows. On the first floor there is a large living room with TV/DVD, CD player and wonderful views; 5 steps up to an elegant dining room, well-equipped kitchen and large double bedroom with four-poster bed and garden views; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Separate stairs lead to two more bedrooms: a double (6’ bed) with sea views from two big windows and en suite bathroom (suite), and a twin, also with sea views. On the top floor, another twin bedroom. Beautiful!

photo of Holiday cottage in Feock, Cornwall's Med with 5 stars, sleeps 8

Royal Cornwall Show 9th-11th June

Jun 6

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Holiday advice, West Country | No Comments

This Thursday to Saturday is the Royal Cornwall Show 2011, with Airborne motocross, sporty camels & parachutists. The main ring entertainment is mounted on a grand scale and the traditional steam fair is a colourful extravaganza; there are stages full of music, song and dance, a brilliant weekend for the family.

Why not keep your feet on the ground at this Helpful Holidays property in Bisland, North Cornwall, which sleeps up to 7 people. This delightful property has big rooms, good and comfortable furniture (including antiques), good pictures, and superb views. With its own terrace/patio, good-sized lawn divided from fields by ha-ha, it’s all very secluded. Inside there is an elegant living room with woodburner, fine grandfather clock, TV/DVD, good books and games for cold nights in or if the weather is not too favourable. There are four large and light bedrooms, a well-equipped fitted kitchen/diner with dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, microwave, fridge-freezer; dining table overlooking the terrace and garden.

Holiday Cottages Blog

Articles and info on holidays and cottages in the UK and Ireland