Holiday Cottages Blog

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

Archive for category Romantic breaks

Helpful Holidays celebrate National Pet Month

Apr 19

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Availability, Cottages Search, Romantic breaks, Tips, West Country | 1 Comment

Check out Helpful Holidays when booking cottages during National Pet Month (2nd April to 2nd May) as dogs stay free at all their pet friendly cottages during 2011 when booked during this month. They have properties with enclosed gardens and farms to wander and also properties near dog-friendly beaches or just a gentle stroll from really relaxed pubs that welcome dogs too. Many at Helpful Holidays are dog owners, so they welcome calls for tips on properties and places best suited to a doggy holiday. Up to two dogs can stay free of charge as part of the promotion (from 2nd April to 2nd May).

2 miles from North Bovey in a lovely setting is Bovey Castle, built in 1907 as a country seat for the heir to the WH Smith empire and now a renowned hotel. Carefully hidden in the grounds are 14 private, granite-built lodges of which Helpful Holidays offer 6. They are smart, stylish and comfy and overlook the Edwardian gardens, lake and tennis courts. All the hotel facilities are yours to enjoy, including indoor heated swimming pool (65’ x 19’6″ x 4’6″ deep), gym, steam room, sauna, spa (beauty treatments), restaurants and bistro. Outside are hard and grass tennis courts (lessons available), croquet lawn (seasonal) and cricket nets (late May to mid-September). If you don’t feel like cooking, order a restaurant meal or pizza to be delivered to your lodge, or for a special occasion, book a table at the hotel’s restaurant or bistro.

photo of Holiday cottage in North Bovey, Dartmoor with 5 stars, sleeps 6

photo of Holiday cottage in North Bovey, Dartmoor with 5 stars, sleeps 6

photo of Holiday cottage in North Bovey, Dartmoor with 5 stars, sleeps 6

Large properties with Helpful Holidays

Feb 21

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cottages Search, Romantic breaks, Tips, Wedding, West Country | No Comments

Helpful Holidays have a range of properties for larger parties of people to stay in, some even to have weddings in!

This Grade I listed Cadhay (G100) was shortlisted by Country Life for their ‘Finest manor house’ award. Sitting close to Ottery St Mary the property is mostly Tudor as it was built around 1550. Full of character, but with modern comfort, Cadhay is a beautiful and welcoming place sleeping 22 in 12 bedrooms – and you can get married there!

The magnificent 3 acre garden, described in a magazine article as ‘understated, gracious and beautiful’, fades via a ha-ha into countryside and has fine trees, cedars, fountains and walkways, herbaceous borders and huge lawns to enjoy (croquet available). There is also a walled garden with well-tended allotments and 50 acres of farmland around the house. Inside there are wonderful rooms, fine fireplaces, leaded windows, granite mullions, stucco ceilings, designer curtains, beautiful furniture, paintings.

photo of Holiday cottage in Ottery St Mary, East Devon with 5 stars, sleeps 22

photo of Holiday cottage in Ottery St Mary, East Devon with 5 stars, sleeps 22

Alternatively, how about Francis Drake’s shooting lodge. Originally a medieval hall house and the shooting lodge of Sir Francis Drake’s Yarcombe estate, Sheafhayne Manor (G1) is a superbly positioned, Grade II* listed, Elizabethan manor house sleeping 24 and likened by the Sunday Times to ‘a full-sized game of Cluedo’. There’s trout fishing on the river Yarty on the estate.

A wild garden/orchard with mown paths is at the end of a pergola walk with wisteria and a perfectly placed seat; nearby, a stream (unfenced). On the other side of the huge lawn (croquet) is a shallow rill (unfenced). Huge games room (air hockey, table tennis, table football) in the garden. In front of the house is a flagstoned and paved terrace with sundial and, through a stone arch with wrought iron gate, a sunken garden, very sheltered and peaceful. Inside all the bedrooms are en suite except two which share one large shower-room (suite). Some of the rooms have interconnecting doors; however, all can be bolted and individually accessed. Some have lovely panelling, others exceptional views; some, very wide floorboards; most have Hamstone or cast iron fireplaces (ornamental).

photo of Holiday cottage in Yarcombe, East Devon with 3.5 stars, sleeps 24

photo of Holiday cottage in Yarcombe, East Devon with 3.5 stars, sleeps 24

For more large properties go to our main website or direct to Helpful Holidays.

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

New Forest at sunrise picture by Flickr user davidgsteadman

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.

Main Photo

Calling romantics

Feb 6

Posted by evekerswill in Availability, Romantic breaks, Scotland, Valentine's Day | No Comments

For the romantically inclined among you, we have found some cottages still available to rent in cosy hideaways in Scotland for Valentines weekend (next weekend!)

 

They include stone cottages with log fires and mountainous backdrops; remote loch-side lodges with panoramic views, and an apartment in the handsome town of Crieff, Perthshire.

 

The Crieff flat is, perhaps, the most romantic of all. St Ninians Church Tower apartment is, as you might expect, part of a converted church. Beautifully presented, it has retained some unique features while offering great views from its balcony: watch the sun set over the hills surrounding Crieff.

 

Croftweit Crieff, is another luxurious apartment. It’s part of a Grade II listed mansion, in Perthshire. The rooms have high ceilings and stained glass windows and there is a private garden area ideal for romantic alfresco dining (though it will be chilly in February).

 

A bottle of ‘Famous Grouse’ whisky from the nearby distillery awaits you as well as complimentary champagne and flowers for all Valentine bookings.

 

Another romantic cottage still available to rent is Pier Cottage in Applecross, Ross-shire. As the name suggests, this cottage is at the old pier in the hamlet of Camusterrach on the scenic Applecross peninsula. Stylish while at the same time retaining its traditional feel, the property features a smart claw-foot bath for two with sea views. There’s also a romantic open fire.

 

To find out more go to the Cottages and Castles advert on this website. Click  here  www.holidaycottages.cc/cottage-2032.html