Tag Archives: Summer Holidays

Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages

Dog friendly self catering cottages and holiday homesIf you are looking forward to spending your Easter or Summer holiday playing with your dog on the coast or enjoying the countryside on those long walks, then we have tried to make finding the right self catering accommodation a lot easier.

You have always been able to search Find Cottage Holidays looking for pet friendly self catering but we have now added some extra feature searches.

Now, if like us, your dog likes to ‘explore’ on their own if they see the opportunity, you will love our new search of dog friendly cottages WITH an ENCLOSED GARDEN. An enclosed garden, for most dogs, will mean you can relax in and around your self catering without having to keep your eyes on your dog.

Our new searches will also help you find dog friendly short break accommodation, dog friendly cottages with hot tubs and pet friendly self catering with open fires.  Start your pet friendly self catering search here.

You can also check out our sister site holidays with dogs for some more great pet friendly places to stay.

 

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2013 Summer Holiday Cottages… Book NOW

2013 summer holiday cottagesWithout wishing to seem alarmist, if you want the best choice of holiday cottages in the UK and Ireland for summer 2013 then you simply need to be sorting out your booking now!

January is peak booking season for holiday cottages, apartments and holiday flats across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  The best accommodation tends to get booked early and so the quicker you start looking the more choice you will have.

To help you get started check out our list of 2013 Summer Holiday Cottages and Apartments here.  Whether you are looking for self catering for a couples break, family holiday or for a group of friends this selection will cater for everything from 1 to 30.  What’s more you will find accommodation to match budgets of all sizes from a cheap family break to a 5 star luxury cottage.

Favourite Holiday Destinations

Alternatively here are some direct links to popular UK and Ireland holiday locations:

What’s on your Family Summer Holiday Wish List?

Summer Wish ListAs the nights draw in, our thoughts have definitely turned to what we are going to do for our summer holiday next year. It’s always a challenge to find a holiday that will entertain and please all members of our family.

So far our plans have taken us right across Europe and back at least twice and yet we still can’t make a decision.  We are very tempted by the thought of the Swiss mountains, all that beautiful countryside, blue lakes and clear fresh air.  But then we would miss the beach, those rolling Atlantic waves have given us some of the happiest holiday memories. Or how about enjoy the wonderful diversity of Britain with a staycation.  Mmmmm, decisions decisions.

Where will next summer find you and your family?  Building sand castles on a sunny beach? Taking a stroll around a sparkling lake, or exploring the valley and village of the countryside?

It’s so difficult to choose which is why we started looking more closely at our wish list for the summer.

  1. Top of our list has to be some sunshine and warm weather
  2. We love water sports and fun so a beach or lake are essential
  3. Swimming pool also essential
  4. Plenty of entertainment to keep every one amused
  5. Somewhere driveable from the UK as we want to people able to explore the area when we get there (so that covers all of the UK and Europe)
  6. Internet access – ok, so not an essential but we do like to interact while we are away!
  7. Mossi free!  Life is too short for constantly applying mosquito repellent.

That’s our list so far, so what is on yours that we should consider?

Ignore those Weather Grumbles, Enjoy a Fabulous British Holiday

If you have been watching the British news or coverage of the UK’s major sporting and social events so far this year you may well have the impression that the weather is grey, wet, dreary and not the place for your Summer holiday, BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE.

It’s certainly true that us Brits are obsessed with the weather, it’s our number one discussion point, we can’t help it.  And, in our defence the British climate can be a little less than predictable which makes trying to forecast it a national pastime.

It’s fair to say that, so far this summer, we have had more than our normal share of wet days but to think that every day is grey and raining would be to misunderstand the British habit of talking the weather down.  There are very few days that are a complete wash out and so in practice even on the worst days it’s a case of dodging the worst of the showers/downpours and then making the most of the dry moments.

So far this year we have been at the Diamond Jubilee, Olympic Torch Relay, South of England Show, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Cinema in Preston Park (Brighton) and many other outdoor events and at each we have been bathed in sunshine – even getting sun burnt at Goodwood!

So while the weather may not be baking hot at the moment that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy everything the UK has to offer.  What’s more, this is a great time of year with so much to do and see. Wimbledon may be over but The Open Golf Championship and Glorious Goodwood are just around the corner with the Olympics only weeks away.

Aside from these major events there are countless County and Agricultural Shows to enjoy, hundreds of British gardens are open to visits during the summer and of course all of our major attractions, including many indoor attractions, from the Eden Project to the Tower of London will be a brilliant day out for young and old.

So what’s stopping you?  If you are looking for a Great British holiday, short break or weekend break get booking now while there is still some great self catering accommodation available.

Source: Find Cottage Holidays

Top 5 Last Minute Cottage Breaks for Couples in July

The sun has come out and so we feel it’s safe to say that Summer has arrived and what better way to celebrate than some great last-minute deals on some short breaks and holidays?

There is still has some excellent last-minute availability, and there’s still lots of amazing properties to choose from. Plus, with summer discounts on many properties, you might just pick up a bargain. Don’t delay though as great deals like these won’t be around for long!  (Click the cottage name to see more details)

  • Wisteria Cottage:  Wales. Sleeps 2. 4 Nights from 9th July for £317 (was £347)
  • Stroxworthy Barn: North Devon. Sleeps 2. 4 nights from 9th July for £302 (was £347)
  • Energy at Envirobarns: Lincolnshire. Sleeps 2. 7 nights from 7th July for £448 (was £491)
  • The Rookery: Cheshire. Sleeps 2. 7 nights from 9th July for £427 (was £491)
  • Grooms Cottage: Cumbria. Sleeps 2. 4 nights from 9th July

Wisteria Cottage

To find out more last-minute availability and offers for self catering including cottages, apartments, lodges, holiday parks and even boats call 0844 847 1140.

These offers are subject to terms and conditions with our holiday travel partners, please check the details when clicking through to their website via our booking/more information link.

School Summer Holidays are Fast Approaching

With the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holidays and School half term holidays now over the School Summer Holidays are rapidly approaching.

It’s hard to believe with this current spell of poor weather but in just 6 weeks or so the School holidays will be underway and so if you haven’t got your Summer break booked yet, you had best get a move on!

If you haven’t yet booked your Summer hols, the good news is that the uncertain economic climate and poor Spring weather means that there is still availability at cottages and apartments in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  Even better news is that there are still some great deals to be had with many operators offering discounted breaks which is unusual at this late stage (see our Special Offers page and our Facebook Deals of the Week).

Take a look at our School Summer Holidays page for some great ideas where to take your family summer holiday in 2012 as well as some useful links for things to do when you get there.