Brighton Rocks

Brighton has something to offer everyone from the fun loving family holiday seeker to the cosmopolitan culture vulture.

Explore it’s narrow alleys and cobbled streets, indulge in it’s fashionable boutique hotels and shops, dine in one of the hundreds of appealing restaurants and cafes and finish off with a flourish in one of Brighton’s famous nightspots.

There’s plenty to see with landmarks such as the exotic oriental Royal Pavillion built by the party loving Regents, and the legendary Brighton Beach, with it’s Grade II Listed Pier, traditional fish and chips and vintage arcades. Continue reading

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Loch stock and barrel

You won’t have to travel far in Scotland before coming across a picturesque landscape, and the ancient lochs of the Highlands are the crowning glory.  There are around 350 lochs and waterways in the Scottish Isles, each one waiting to be explored by the nature loving trekker.

Catch a boat trip along the 23 mile stretch of Scotland’s famous Loch Ness in the Great Glen and see if you can spot the world famous monster of the deep.  A visit to nearby Drumnadrochit museum will unravel the monster’s mythology, and there’s plenty to see and discover at Urquhart Castle on the banks of the Loch. Continue reading

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Get Far from the Madding Crowd this New Year’s Eve

Picture the crunching frosty leaves as you ramble through the rolling countryside. Cosy up with melted marshmallows round a real fire and review the passing year with close friends and family, and celebrate the coming of the new year with local home cooked food and wine.Think fresh air and open spaces, woolly mits and rosy cheeks, buttery toast and home-made jam, slow cooked comfort food with warm spicy wine, soft cosy blankets, and tired happy smiles. Continue reading

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DARTMOUTH – Food Lover’s Destination

Head to Dartmouth for a holiday devoted to the enjoyment of fantastic local food complimented by some of Devon’s finest shoreline.

For a romantic evening out, try The Seahorse (seahorserestaurant.co.uk) for their signature seafood spaghetti for two.  If you’re after something more family friendly, the new RockFish takeaway (rockfishdevon.co.uk) serves Devon squid and chips, followed by an ice-cream from the Dartmouth Ice Cream Company (dartmouthicecream.com).  Alternatively visit Britannia Shellfish (britanniashellfish.co.uk), a seaside shack on the edge of the beach at Beesands. You can sit outside with your own bottle of wine or cold beer and enjoy freshly caught crab and Start Bay lobster in the sunshine. Continue reading

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Surf’s Up

With a varied coastline and almost every imaginable kind of beach set-up, the UK offers a huge variety of waves for the determined surfer prepared to endure the cold and a battering from strong coastal winds.

North Cornwall offers the most consistent coastlines, the North Atlantic in winter being the most prolific swell generating area on the planet, so with a little imagination, waves can be found almost every day. Continue reading

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Hay Day

Famous for it’s award winning festival, named “One of the best in the world” by The Independent, Hay on Wye has become the buzzword on the country’s literary lips bringing writers, thinkers, musicians, film-makers and scientists together for a weekend of educated merriment.

Located on the Welsh/English borders, standing proudly at the northernmost point of the Brecon Beacons and to the south of the River Wye, Hay sits in some of the most varied and beautiful regions the British Isles has to offer. Continue reading

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Romancing the Stone

In ancient Rome, the 14th of February was a holiday in honour of the Goddess Juno.   On the eve of the holiday, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars from which young men would draw a girl’s name, and they would become partners, often falling in love and marrying.

If the thought of Saint Valentines Day is bringing out the romance in you, why not take an  amorous break in one of our charming and poetic cottages made for two, complete with open fire to warm the coldest of hearts. Continue reading

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Doggie Destinations

As man’s best friend, who better to accompany you on your next cottage holiday, with acres of countryside for romping in, miles of sandy beaches for rolling on, plenty of sea for splashing in, and a nice warm fire for dozing  by.

Before you head off, we’ve compiled a doggie departure check list of things to pack for your pampered pooch’s well earned break. Continue reading

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Take the Plunge

Wherever you decide to take your hard earned break, you can’t beat a refreshing morning swim to kick the day off to a good start.

Remember to pack your swimwear, flip flops, and plenty of towels.  With fingers crossed, throw in your suntan lotion.  You might also want to pack some water wings and toys for the little ones, and some magazines or books for lazing around poolside.  And don’t forget the bottle of pimms and barbeque if the weather’s good.

We’ve found some cottages around the country that have a swimming pool and games room for those that also have a sporty nature and a competitive streak. Continue reading

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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Exactly as it says, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a precious landscape with a distinctive character that is so exceptional that it’s in the nation’s interest to safeguard it.

There are 38 AONBs representing 18% of the finest countryside in England and Wales. 



Each AONB is protected for their high qualities of flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations and scenic views.  Landscapes range from rugged coastline to water meadows to gentle downland and upland moors. Continue reading

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