Category Archives: Places to Visit

Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup Self Catering

Cheltenham Festival and Gold CupWhether you are an avid racegoer, dedicated fashionista or are just looking for a good day out, The Cheltenham Festival which features the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is one of horse racings premier events and one of the highlights of the British social calendar.

In 2014 the Festival takes place between the 11th and 14th of March and is best described as ‘four days of atmosphere, anticipation and action, played out on a beautiful sporting arena that has no equal’.

Held over 4 days there is something for everyone:

  • Tuesday is the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, Champion Day, and features the most important hurdle race of the season, the Champion Hurdle.
  • Wednesday is Ladies Day so dress to impress! The best action is on the track though with the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
  • Thursday is better known as St Patrick’s Thursday and is the perfect place to kick off the celebrations. Racing includes the World Hurdle and Chase.
  • Friday is simply Cheltenham Gold Cup day – the big one! The climax of the entire Jump racing season and the day’s programme is arguably one of the best racing days of the year.

Whether you are looking to stay over the Cheltenham Festival week or just planning a visit to this wonderful Gloucestershire region, there is a superb selection of B&B and self catering accommodation ranging from cottages and apartments to lodges and cabins:

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Where to head for a countryside summer holiday or spring break… AONB?

If you are wondering where to head on a summer holiday or a Spring break there is nowhere better to start than checking out our list of the official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales.

Every place designated an AONB is considered to be of significant landscape beauty ranging from rugged coastline and water meadows to gentle lowland and upland moors – each one of them is a wonderful – perfect for a short break or cottage holiday.

There are 37 AONB in England and Wales, from the Suffolk Coast and Heaths to the Malvern Hills and the Gower Peninsula. Below are the links to our full list of the areas and some super self catering accommodation close by to help you make the most of your stay.

Of course the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are in addition to the British National Parks, that are also perfect for a cottage holiday.

Summer holidays in South Devon: Dartmouth is highly recommended

Dartmouth self cateringIf you need something to get you through the winter months then there is nothing better than planning your summer holiday.  

With its warm and sunny summer climate it’s no surprise that the south-west of England is where people flock to each year but where is the best place to head.  Well we can highly recommend South Devon and there is no better place to for an unforgettable family holiday than the gorgeous maritime town of Dartmouth.

Long days can easily be spent out on the water, unwinding on the region’s golden beaches, walking the dramatic coastal footpaths or visiting one of the many historical houses or gardens.

Whatever your interests whilst on holiday, Find Cottage Holidays has an excellent choice of luxury self-catering holiday properties to offer, which can be perfectly matched to suit all your needs.

Take a closer look at what Dartmouth in South Devon has to offer »

Need another bonfire & fireworks fix… Shoreham Bonfire 9th November 2013

Shoreham Bonfire 2013Missed all the bonfire and firework fun so far this year?  Well these is still a chance and it’s a perfect one to take the whole family too this Saturday.

Shoreham Bonfire Society on Shoreham Beach in West Sussex is a community run, community funded event for the whole family to enjoy.  Head to Beach Green, Shoreham by Sea, on Saturday 9th November to join the procession at 6.30pm.

The procession led by the local Coastguard Service and accompanied by the Beach Bateria Samba Band and the Heart FM Angels will arrive in time for the lighting of the Bonfire on the beach at around 7pm.  The excellent fireworks will take place at about 7.15pm.

At the end of the firework display you can stick around and enjoy the catering (burgers, noodles, hot & cold drinks), the kids tea cups ride and the Shoreham Allstars juniors music bands performing close by.

A great night out.

Perfect base for a family holiday: Aberystwyth, Mid Wales

It may be Halloween, but we don’t want any rights on holiday or a short break, so today’s recommendation is the university town of Aberystwyth.

Lying on the west coast of Wales, it is a thriving metropolis of shops, restaurants, pubs and tea-rooms. This vibrant location also has museums to explore, excellent cinema and is home to the National Library of Wales.

A typically Victorian promenade lines the seafront and the cliff-top ruins of Aberystwyth castle dominate the entire town.  A wealth of attractions are designed to entertain and inspire visitors to explore further afield.

The scenic 20-mile cycle route and footpath on the Ystwyth Trail follows a wonderful woodland and river path and links Aberystwyth to Tregaron.  A trip on the Steam Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge is a great way to visit the falls.

The seaside resort of Borth is seven miles away with three miles of sandy beach and the ‘Animalarium’ to keep all ages amused.

With so many attractions, the castle, Welsh craft centres and stunning countryside to explore, this is a perfect base for a family holiday.

Check out some great Aberystwyth cottage breaks

Countryside breaks at Ellesmere Shropshire

While so many tourists head to the south west corner of Cornwall and Devon, the west of England is full of delights.  Here is one… Ellesmere in Shropshire.

From the town of Ellesmere you can enjoy a series of gentle walks that will take you from the site of an ancient glacial mere into town and along to the Llangollen Canal, past the new marina or through the Arboretum and Cremorne Gardens.

In the immediate vicinity, you can enjoy the scenery from the comfort of a steamboat or visit the Wood Lane Nature Reserve, an 81 hectare site, which combines North Shropshire’s largest quarry with active nature conservation.

Slightly further afield, you will find attractions such as the Park Hall Countryside Experience, which is an ideal day-out for any group that have children or, if history is more your thing, you can discover the beautiful remains of a 12th century moated castle located in the heart of the village of Whittington.

Check out cottage breaks in Ellesmere

Short breaks in Skipton, Yorkshire Dales

We love recommending places for you to go and stay in the UK & Ireland but today we are recommending somewhere we used to live, Skipton, in the wonderful Yorkshire Dales.

Skipton , Yorkshire DalesWell placed for visiting all that the Dales has to offer, the town of Skipton is also close to York, the Lake District and the West Coast.

This lovely market town has plenty to offer visitors and boasts an ancient castle open to the public, a beautiful old parish church and a colourful market occupying the cobbled setts on either side of the high street.

Visitors can enjoy a canal trip on a traditional barge or visit the Embsay Steam Railway, which offers regular steam train excursions throughout the weekend and is just a mile away.

Golf, swimming, squash, tennis and snooker are all available close by and the region is known for its effective public transport.

Skipton is a bustling market town and a hub for nightlife at the weekends.  If you crave city life, Skipton is jus a short car/bus/train journey to what is one of the UK’s loveliest regional cities – perfect for great shopping, eating and entertainment.

We loved it there, so why not check i out for yourself?  See self catering in Skipton

Visit… Corbridge, Northumberland, North East England

For todays visit suggestion we have headed to the North East of England and the lovely Northumberland town of Corbridge.

Corbridge has specialist shops, old inns and a 12th Century bridge spanning the river. Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort are nearby, whilst the market town of Hexham is a few miles away with narrow streets, a selection of shops and an abbey with 15th Century paintings and a Saxon crypt.

Want to stay in Northumberland, then take a look at some of our Corbridge self catering cottages

Visit… Liskeard, Cornwall, England

Liskeard is an historic market town in Cornwall. The town has a weekly market and a number of shops, pubs and restaurants.

The beaches and harbour of the quaint fishing port of Looe is close by and there are fishing and watersport opportunities at Siblyback Lake.

Other attractions in the area is the Donkey Sanctuary at St Annes Chapel, National Trust’s Cotehele House and gardens, the championship golf course at St Mellion Country Club, Dobwalls Theme Park and the world famous Eden Project.

Feeling inspired? Check out some Liskeard self catering

Visit…Tintagel, Cornwall, South West England

Tintagel is dominated by the magnificent ruins of King Arthur’s Castle which lie on the cliffside outside the town.

The sea, secluded coves and spectacular scenery dominate the area, and a number of superb beaches, including Trebarwith Strand, are easily reached for surfing, swimming and sunbathing.

The town offers pubs and restaurants and the National Trust owned Old Post Office. Walkers will love the SW coast path which goes right through Tintagel then winds its way in both directions along the cliff tops through stunning countryside, before meandering down to the water’s edge.

The pretty village of Boscastle with its charming quay and village pubs is 2.5 miles north, and if you venture further afield you will find the surfing resort of Bude; the wild open spaces of Bodmin Moor; the incredible biospheres of the Eden Project; Padstow and its famous restaurants, and much more.

Feeling inspired? Check out some Tintagel self catering