Add the recession to the low value of the pound and the idea of flying abroad doesn’t seem as attractive as it did last year. In fact, Britain looks good value again, especially if you book a cottage, a lodge, or an apartment and self-cater.
The choice is huge and alluring — from castles in the Scottish Highlands to cliff-top houses in Cornwall and flint cottages in Norfolk — but the number of quality places in good locations is limited. To help your search, we’ve picked a handful of the best agencies — from regional specialists to heritage bodies and those that offer choices all over the UK. For those who prefer active breaks, we’ve also chosen some of the best cultural and adventure holiday specialists.
Be warned, though. While those who can avoid peak times still have plenty of choice, if you are booking for the school holidays, act soon. Many of the best places are already taken for the summer.
COTTAGES, HOUSES AND HIDEAWAYS
National agenciesThe following agents offer cottages and other types of self-catering accommodation all over the UK. A few stand out for the quality and character of the properties they offer, and we have listed these first.
Our selection
The Landmark Trust restores historic properties, including follies, remote cottages and castles, by converting them into holiday houses of an extremely high standard. The Trust plans to introduce a fully searchable website in 2010, but currently you are obliged to buy its handbook at £10 (plus £3 p&p), which gives information and pricing - although you can check availability online. (01628 825925; www.landmarktrust.org.uk)
The National Trust offers more than 350 cottages and apartments, with an “Acorn” rating to indicate the standard of facilities. Some can be basic, with makeshift bathrooms and chemical toilets, while others are extremely comfortable with antique furniture and well-equipped kitchens. A recent addition is a “sustainable”, 17th-century cottage for two in the Aeron Valley in Wales (with biomass wood-pellet boiler), priced at £897 for a peak August week. (0870 458 4411; www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk)
Rural Retreats offers flexible stays, starting on any day of the week, and short breaks at most properties on all but the peak dates. Hampers are provided as standard for guests on arrival and you can opt for a late checkout. The 400 properties include a large selection of lighthouse-keepers’ cottages. Several two-person cottages in Cornwall, Norfolk and the Brecon Beacons have been added to its programme recently. (01386 701177; www.ruralretreats.co.uk)
English Heritage lists a small but striking collection of historical properties. New for this year is East Lodge at Hardwick Old Hall, sleeping four, from £548 for a week’s stay. Shorter breaks available. (0870 333 1187; www.englishheritage.co.uk)
Vivat Trust is a building-preservation trust with a total of 22 holiday lets in follies, towers and a Georgian manse. These sleep from two to 14. New properties for 2009 include Church Farmhouse in Shropshire and Shipton Courtyard in West Oxfordshire. (0845 090 0194; www.vivat.org.uk)
Other National agencies
Blandings is an up-market company with a large number of spacious country houses. Cooks, nannies and other domestic staff can be supplied on request. (020 7936 9611; www.blandings.co.uk)
Cottages 4 You, owned by Holiday Cottages Group (which includes Country Holidays, English Country Cottages, Blakes Cottages, Scottish Country Cottages and Recommended Cottage Holidays), has over 9,000 rentals and is a useful portal to a vast number of places. Much of the accommodation, in all regions of the UK, is suitable for large groups. (0870 192 1029; www.cottages4you.co.uk)
The Cottage Collection offers good search facilities for large group bookings and cottages where pets are welcome. (01603 724809; www.the-cottage-collection.co.uk)
CV Travel is an up-market European villa specialist that has just launched its first collection of British holiday houses, sleeping from two to 22, with optional chef, staff and baby-sitting services. (020 7401 1086; www.cvtravel.co.uk)
Hoseasons Country Cottages has a huge choice of over 1,600 properties, many of which are in clusters of two or three and suitable for friends or family holidaying together. (0870 902 3117; www.hoseasons.co.uk)
Powells Cottage Holidays offers more than 500 cottages, specialising in the West Country, Cotswolds and Wales (Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula). (01834 812791, www.powells.co.uk)
Sykes Holiday Cottages is particularly strong in Northern England, plus offers a good selection of seaside choices. (01244 356666; www.sykescottages.co.uk)
Unique Home Stays has up-market and offbeat properties, including a houseboat on the Thames, sleeping six, from £1,950 per week. The agency is particularly helpful when it comes to large places, with an emphasis on luxury. (01637 881942; uniquehomestays.com)
The Wow House Company provides luxury houses to rent for special occasions, with help at hand for finding staff or providing local activities. (01452 715373; thewowhousecompany.com)
Regional agencies
There are many agencies which specialise in specific regions or countries - this is our selection of some of the best.Wales
Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire offers around 550 properties in this county and has introduced two new cottages complexes near Narberth and Lampeter. Its “Niche Collection” singles out houses for dog owners, golfers, food-lovers and people celebrating special occasions. (01437 765765; www.coastalcottages.co.uk)
Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages specialises in this small area, which includes the Black Mountains National Park and the Wye Valley. Many of its 300 cottages and farmhouses are in superb, rural spots, making them good choices for walkers. (01874 676446; www.breconcottages.com)
Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland offers traditional properties, many in outstanding locations, including castles, lighthouses, beachside and island accommodation. New for 2009, is North Mains Cottage, at Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, sleeping four at £510 for a week in peak season. (0131 243 9331; www.nts.org.uk)
Cottages & Castles has a wide selection of new accommodation on its books, many sleeping 10 or more, but also cottages and small apartments, such as the Scriptorium at a former Abbey on the shores of Loch Ness, sleeping two, from £425 per week. (01738 451610; www.cottagesandcastles.co.uk)
Unique Cottages has expanded its portfolio of properties for 2009, particularly in the Scottish Borders. (01835 822277; www.unique-cottages.co.uk)
West Country
Classic Cottages focuses on properties in Cornwall, but it also handles a good choice in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and in the Scilly Isles. A detailed search facility has criteria which include properties offering hot tubs and broadband. (01326 555555; www.classic.co.uk)
Coast & Country Cottages lists around 400 properties throughout South Devon, including Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge and South Hams. (01548 843773; www.coastandcountry.co.uk)
Helpful Holidays is a family-run business with 600 plus properties, a high proportion of which sleep groups of 12 or more. Its focus is strongest in Devon and Cornwall, as well as Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire. New for 2009 is Duckpond Cottage, which sleeps 12. Located near the village of Higher Ashton on Dartmoor outdoor heated pool (available from 22 May), hot tub and sauna. From £1,175 per week. (01647 433593; www.helpfulholidays.com)
Breaks in Cornwall has some new additions for 2009, including Green Acres Cottages, three miles from the Eden project, where two-bedroom properties start at £95 per night. (01621 784666; www.breaksincornwall.com)
Toad Hall Cottages is a family-run company which has been established for almost 30 years. It offers some 500 quality coastal and country holiday cottages - many beside the water - in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. (01548 853089; www.toadhallcottages.co.uk)
Northern England
Heart of the Lakes is one of the longest-established agencies in the Lake District with around 300 properties in the National Park. Rentals include membership of leisure clubs - useful if you pick a wet week - and properties are graded from three- to five-star by the company. (01539 432321; www.heartofthelakes.co.uk)
Peak Cottages focuses on the Peak District National Park and the surrounding area, with some interesting new houses on its books, including Mountain Cottage, once the home of DH Lawrence. It sleeps up to eight and costs £599 for a low-season week. (0114 262 0777; www.peakcottages.com)
Cumbrian Cottages offers more than 900 properties, including Keswick Boat House on the shores of Derwentwater, £1,050 for an August week. Deep-water mooring available. (01228 599960; www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk)
Yorkshire Cottages has about 260 properties in the Dales, York and on the coast. Higher Scholes Cottage, near Haworth and Brontë Country, sleeps four and costs £530 for a week in May. (01228 406701; www.yorkshire-cottages.info)
East Anglia
Norfolk Country Cottages lists around 350 cottages on the best bits of coastal and inland Norfolk. New to its books is a brick-and-flint terraced cottage in Docking, which sleeps four and is furnished in Quaker style. At £486 for a July week, plus £20 booking fee. (01603 871872; www.norfolkcottages.co.uk)
Best of Suffolk offers a selection of contemporary-styled houses and conversions, with a special focus on small places for couples in Aldeburgh, although there are some bigger properties available, too. A new addition for May 2009 is The Creek House, a 10-15 minute walk from Southwold, sleeping up to 12. From £760 per week. (01728 638962; www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk)
Kett Country Cottages specialises in privately owned second homes in North Norfolk, made available for holiday lets. (01328 856 853; www.kettcountrycottages.co.uk)
South of England
Best of Brighton & Sussex Cottages has around 80 self-catering properties, including sea-view apartments. Victory Mews is a two-bedroom, first-floor flat overlooking the inner harbour in Brighton Marina Village, from £475 per week. (01273 308779; www.bestofsussex.co.uk)
Hideaways offers a good selection of characterful cottages, often in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in southern counties of England. (01747 828170; www.hideaways.co.uk)
FAMILY SPECIALISTS
For planning family stays with babies and toddlers in the West Country, see www.easypreschoolsouthwest.co.uk, created by Tourism South-West.Baby-Friendly Boltholes recommends a variety of upmarket and child-friendly accommodation, including cottages as well as farms and hotels. (0845 094 9864; www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk)
Child Friendly Cottages offers an advanced search facility, which allows you to find cottages where baby-sitting and catering services are available. (www.childfriendlycottages.co.uk)
STAYING ON A FARM
Feeding the chickens, watching the milking or tasting the local produce - staying on a working farm can be educational as well as fun for families. Plenty of farmers offer holiday accommodation, see below for contact details.Farm Stay UK lists around 1,200 farms around the country, offering inspected b&b, self-catering, b&b, camping and caravan sites. (0247 669 6909; www.farmstayuk.co.uk)
Cartwheel Holidays offers West Country accommodation on working farms and other rural locations, with an emphasis on local food and fishing. (01392 877842; www.cartwheel.org.uk)
Feather Down Farm Days provides standard, tented units which sleep up to six, have wooden floors and wood-burning stoves, and are now offered by more than 20 farms around the country. New for 2009: rent your own private chicken coop (£15 per week); outdoor cookers and firewood included in the rent (£395-£795 per week). (01420 80804; www.featherdown.co.uk)
CAMPING
The Cool Camping guides are the best source of information for the most scenic UK campsites to England, Wales and Scotland. (£14.95 each from www.coolcamping.co.uk)Britain & Ireland Campsite Guide by Alan Rogers contains detailed, independent assessments. (£11.99 from www.alanrogers.com)
UK Camp Site and Scottish Camping are both useful websites, containing independent reviews from campers. (www.ukcampsite.co.uk; www.scottishcamping.com)
The National Trust allows camping on some of its most beautiful spots. (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)
Cornish Tipi Holidays provides 40 North American-style tipis, equipped with camp stove and cool box. (01208 880781; www.cornishtipiholidays.co.uk)
The Youth Hostels Association offers camping at around £10pp per night at 16 hostels. (0870 770 6113; www.yha.org.uk)
HOLIDAY LODGES
Center Parcs has four parks in total, in wooded settings around the UK, which are a popular choice for families looking for activities on tap. However, they can be expensive. Rates are calculated on a weekend and midweek basis and can work out significantly more than if renting a self-catering cottage at peak times. Even in low season, a three-night weekend break for a family of four can cost up to £499. (0844 826 6266; www.centerparcs.co.uk)Hoseasons provides over 200 lodge sites in the UK, starting from £245 per week. (0844 847 1100; www.hoseasons.co.uk)
Forest Holidays has two new cabin sites for 2009 - one on the edge of the North York Moors, the other on the shores of Loch Long in Scotland. It also offers new-style contemporary retreats. (0845 130 8223; www.forestholidays.co.uk)
Natural Retreats rents out environmentally friendly developments within or close to national parks. (0161 242 2970; www.naturalretreats.co.uk)
GOOD VALUE HOTELS, B&BS AND HOSTELS
Wolsey Lodges provides b&bs, most with just two or three rooms. On offer are also evening meals, dinner-party style, with everyone sitting around the same table, including the owners. Expect to pay around £35pp per night, plus £20 for dinner. (01473 822058; www.wolseylodges.com)The Great Inns of Britain lists a collection of around 20 pubs with good-quality rooms, most in attractive rural locations. (01423 770152; www.greatinns.co.uk)
Alastair Sawday’s British Bed & Breakfast (£14.99) is a good source of inspiration for smaller places in the UK (full details also available on www.sawdays.co.uk). Also see Sawday’s Bed & Breakfast for Garden Lovers (£14.99), which picks out a selection of accommodation with interesting grounds or close to good nurseries and public gardens.
The Youth Hostel Association now offers modestly priced private rooms, often with en suite bathrooms. These can be a particularly good option for families who want to holiday cheaply. (0870 770 8868; www.yha.org.uk)
Booking direct
If you can’t find what you want through an agent, or prefer to deal directly with the owners, try the following websites:
www.premiercottages.com lists a collection of nearly 900 private properties throughout the UK with booking contacts.
Other websites that do a similar job include www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, www.holidaylettings.co.uk and www.cottagesdirect.co.uk.
For last-minute choices, sometimes at reduced rates, see www.next6weeks.com.
For a carefully inspected selection, visit Alastair Sawday’s www.special-escapes.co.uk or check out the recommendations by The Good Holiday Cottage Guide (www.goodcottageguide.com)
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