Holiday

Isle of Wight festivals

The Isle of Wight hosts so many festivals throughout the year with a really special line up throughout the summer. Visit festival island for fun and frolics all summer long.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Spring Glamping

The loveliest time to experience the beauty of nature, and all with the luxury of beds and en suites!

News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy

School Holiday Dates

Whether you are looking for a small, quiet bolt hole during the holidays or a place for an extended family get-together, we have lots of lovely places in the South and West to choose from.

News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy

Our holiday in the New Forest

Do I really only get to stay here for the weekend? Perhaps I will call in sick on Monday and stay just a little longer.

Visitors' Book Faye

August events in Devon

Devon is a big county packed full of things to do in August. Here’s our quick pick to keep you entertained while on holiday.

Things to do Katie Chown

A St Ives Staycation

Deadlines and alarm clocks quickly become a distant memory, replaced by thoughts of cream teas and tide tables

Visitors' Book Charlotte Williams

How to Spot a Rip Current

It’s best to familiarise yourself with the dangers that come with swimming in the sea so that you can stay safe and happy - how to spot a rip current is important.

Visitors' Book Lizzie H

Top tips for a UK beach holiday

We know beach holidays pretty well so we’ve gathered together some of our best hints and tips and put them in one handy blog for you.

Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy

Holiday food hacks 101

Make your self-catering holiday that little bit more organised with these hints and tips on holiday food.

Things to do Katie Chown

Packing hacks 101

How to pack when you're heading away from home. It sounds simple, stuffing everything in a suitcase, but we've some natty tricks up our sleeves to make it extra easy.

Things to do Katie Chown

Pre-holiday hacks 101

Things to think about before-you-leave for your holiday and travel away from home. It's not a checklist, just a few things to bear in mind.

Things to do Katie Chown

5 family friendly watersports to try instead of surfing

If you've tried surfing and found it's just not for you, take a look at our alternatives. You can still get in the water while you're on holiday, try a new activity and get all the family involved.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

How to take great holiday photos

Follow our simple hints and tips on how to capture your holiday memories. Including composition ideas, group photos and how to snap that all important sunset shot, we’ve got you covered on it all.

Visitors' Book Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in October half term in Cornwall

There's a fun-filled week of activities planned if you're looking for things to do this Autumn halfterm in Cornwall - pumpkins feature quite a lot and there are plenty of Halloween plans.

Things to do Katie Chown

Top 5 best things to do in the New Forest

We know because we've been there, but we're also backed up by our guests and Owners - here's some of the best things to do in the New Forest.

Things to do Katie Chown

The best of the best places to eat in Dorset

Starting in my home town of Shaftesbury in north Dorset, we are incredibly lucky to boast no fewer than nine cafes and at least six great places for a wonderful dinner. There are however two which for me stand out above the rest and are worth travelling down to this part of Dorset especially for.

Classic Fodder Becky Bye

A winning holiday at Winnie's Cottage

The winner of our holiday competition with Classic Cottages and JojoMamanBebe tells us all about her fab baby-friendly holiday in Winnie's Cottage (1822)

Visitors' Book Melanie E

After Umbrage and Classic Cottages

Kingham Cottage is used for respite holidays, but is also reserved for private rentals three months of the year with proceeds going directly to the charity, After Umbrage

News & Offers Lizzie H

Relax in Cornwall with Yoga in Newquay

For the first time in a long time I was able to fully shut out all those niggling worries and racing thoughts swirling around my mind. It was total bliss.

Things to do Sadie Phillips

Origin Coffee brewed by you

Learn how to make a proper coffee at home (or in your holiday cottage!) with Origin

Things to do Rachel Wilson-Couch

The best family friendly beach in south Devon

I hesitate to write this because I don’t want too many people to know about THE perfect family friendly beach, but just between you and me, I think I’ve found it.

Visitors' Book Philip Eley

An American in Cornwall: The First English Coffee

While the British do drink tea in a way that Americans never will, they also drink coffee in a way that that most Americans never will. And that way is (dare I say this?) unquestionably superior.

Visitors' Book Danielle Charles-Davies

Christmas ideas for all the family

Here’s a fistful of Christmassey ideas for all the family to enjoy - events, lights, markets and much more in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Things to do Liz C

Classic Reviews Word Cloud

What happens when we analyse the words guests use to describe their holidays...

News & Offers Adam Ludnow

£500 celebration competition

NOW CLOSED Book a cottage with 8 or more people and be in with the chance of winning £500 of stuff you need for that perfect meal for your special occasion.

News & Offers Katie Chown

The Magic of Mount's Bay

Not just for those with a Bus Pass... this journey is best taken on an open top bus!

Visitors' Book Maz C

Colours of your holiday photo comp

NOW CLOSED - WIN £300, £200 or £100 worth of holiday cottage vouchers if your photo is chosen in our competition. We're looking for all things colourful from your West Country holiday - in appearance and nature!

News & Offers Katie Chown

Holiday Characters - The GODSEND

To help you form the perfect party and get a balance of personalities, we've drawn up a list of holiday archetypes.

Stories & Characters Peter Kirby

Holiday Characters - The PERFORMER

When several of these archetypes go away together, extraordinary things can happen, as many a circus can tell you.

Stories & Characters Peter Kirby

Holiday Characters - The SHERPA

This bloodhound can sniff out the best pub when you're walking over a moor in the mist and will always know the direction home.

Stories & Characters Peter Kirby

Holiday Characters - The LIGGER

The Ligger has one defining character - they're tight. Their mission on holiday is to pay for nothing.

Stories & Characters Peter Kirby

Calorie Offsetting

Its all about balance. Here are some ideas for using up the calories and then piling them back on.

Classic Fodder Peter Kirby