The world of cottage holidays has come a long way in recent years, and we’ve got a guide to help you find the perfect one...
So banish all memories of rainy walks and hours of Monopoly; the modern British cottage holiday is all pebbled beaches, gastro cuisine and hours and hours away from hum drum.
How to choose a cottage
Think: location, location, location, and think customer reviews. The beauty of the internet is that you can find out exactly what each cottage and each location is like before you book.
Remember that some places only offer 7 nights, whereas some are more flexible and can accommodate a weekend away in the UK or a longer stay. And don’t forget, this is not like going to a hotel – check whether you’ll need to take your own toiletries, towels and bedding or you could be in for a bit of shock when you get there!
Popular locations for cottage holidays
- Shalstone in Buckinghamshire is a great location, not far from the beautiful architecture and gardens of the historic National Trust property of Claydon House.
- Buckton and Bempton in East Yorkshire are perfect villages for exploring the gorgeous Yorkshire coast line and the famous Bempton Cliffs which are RSPB protected and well worth a visit for adults and children alike.
- Ticknall in Derbyshire will tick all your boxes; a quaint but lively village within touching distance of the National Trust’s Calke Abbey which offers tours, restaurants and gorgeous scenery to keep you entertained for hours.
- Kedington in Suffolk offers quaint village pubs and restaurants, beautiful scenery and is only a few miles from the picturesque Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire so it’s somewhere for all the family to enjoy.
Things to consider
Location
This is the most important thing as you don’t want to be spending hours getting there, especially if you’ve got the kids in tow. If you’re driving, make sure you’re prepared for how long it will take, with food, drink and planned rest stops and if you’re getting the bus or the train, check out how far your cottage is from the station and whether taxis are reliable if you need one.
Local amenities
You might think that doing nothing for a week sounds perfect but actually most people get bored very quickly so make sure you’re within walking distance of a nice restaurant or pub. There’s no doubt that great pub walks, a couple of good books and a pack of cards are absolutely essential to the perfect cottage holiday but other options really are very important. If you’re taking the children, check out how close you are to the beach or to somewhere you can hire bikes and go exploring. Websites like www.go4awalk.com(opens in new window) offer walking routes and ideas for the active holiday maker.
Length of stay
Think about local amenities and what there is to do because the balance of relaxation and boredom is a delicate one and getting it wrong can send you back to the bad old days of rainy UK holidays. Five days is probably enough for families with children and if you’re going away as a couple or with friends, a long weekend might well be all you need.
What to do
As a couple!
Picture long romantic walks in the countryside, with regular stop offs at country pubs for lunch and leisurely drinks and you’ll be booking your cottage holiday in no time
With the kids
Families need to plan carefully what there is to do at their chosen destination, as a week without any structure or planned activities may not go down too well with the kids. If you can find somewhere that offers family activities such as bike rides, horse riding and water activities then you’re set for a week of happy families.
With friends
Take playing cards, a Frisbee, loads of food and drink, a football and a stack of magazines and books and you’ll be set for an absolutely brilliant mix of relaxation, outdoor activities and delicious fodder. Renting a cottage with friends or another family is one of the best and most inexpensive holidays you can have and a long weekend can be just as fun and revitalising as an entire week away if you do it right.