Teesdale, County Durham

This idyllic and little known dale is an ideal escape to unspoilt countryside and beautiful villages and market towns. The home of some famous attractions such as the spectacular High Force waterfall and the Bowes Museum, the area also boasts spectacular walks and cycle rides, pleasant pubs and cafes and interesting independent shops in the market towns of Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale.

Visitors who use the dale as a base can reach the Lake District, York and Harrogate, Newcastle, Durham and Hadrian's Wall, in just over an hour's drive. Most visitors, however, take the chance to unwind and take life at a slower pace. Even driving is delightful due to the low volumes of traffic on local roads.

The area boasts a range of accommodation from bed and breakfasts to 5 star hotels and self-catering cottages. East Briscoe Farm Cottages are set on a 14 acre estate with woodland, meadows and pasture. Offering free-range eggs and trout fishing this peaceful place offers a relaxing escape from everyday life. Red Lion Cottage in the picturesque village of Cotherstone www.redlioncottage.co.uk is a 5 star luxurious base for up to eight people - ideal for families or groups. Cotherstone offers two pubs and a village shop as well as attractive local walks along the River Tees and surrounding countryside.

The market town of Barnard Castle is the hub of the area with a market held every Wednesday and a farmers' market on the first Saturday of the month. The town is well known for its antique shops and art galleries but visitors should also take time to visit Maxwell's, an independent, old-fashioned shop which boasts an enormous range of household items and gifts. You can also visit the ruins of the castle at a site owned by English Heritage. The Bowes Museum www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk is a unique chateau-style building with exhibitions of fine art, ceramics, furniture and fabrics. It is also home to the unique Silver Swan an 18th century automated musical swan.

A short distance from Barnard Castle is Raby Castle the home of Lord Barnard. Here you can tour the castle and its grounds as well as enjoying the tea room and children's adventure play area. The castle hosts a number of events through the year including an orchid show, a vintage car rally and the Raby Castle 10k run and 5k fun run.

There are excellent information facilities for planning a visit to Teesdale.

Emma Wilson, East Briscoe Farm©

More information about East Briscoe Farm cottages is available in Cottage Holidays

Beautiful North Wales - Relax, Explore, Enjoy!

North Wales is a beautiful place to visit, and a wonderful place to live!

It’s all here – scenic walks along leafy lanes or in the Clwydian Hills, shopping in the local markets, taking in the culture at Theatre Clwyd and visiting the many historic houses, churches and castles in the area.

Llangollen, the home of the International Eisteddfod, is a busy historic town with exciting steam train journeys and canal trips at a more leisurely pace.

Bangor on Dee hosts Steeplechase meetings throughout the year and there are local Point-to-Point meetings, and fourteen days racing at close-by Chester Race Course.

There are some wonderful places to eat – small country pubs, relaxing wine bars, and fine restaurants.

Our 5* self catering cottages at Golly Farm are ideally located 8 miles from Wrexham and 10 miles from Chester.

Golly Farm – a peaceful place to stay, come and join us!

Ros Brotherhood, Golly Farm Ltd©

County Donegal - Just imagine .. .. ..

Imagine lying in bed at night and watching the room light up from the light house on Tory Island only 8 miles away (it has it's own King you know) ...

Imagine staying in Donegal with miles long deserted beaches, white powdery sand and waves of white horses crashing straight off the wild Atlantic.


This is a paradise for surfing, swimming, eating lobster and crabs, climbing Ireland's highest mountains (right at the back door) and washing it down with a pint or two of the black stuff or something stronger in Molly's historic bar.

No traffic. No cynicism. No rush. No time. Nothing - unless you really want it! In fact, forget the great restaurants, forget the castles, forget the islands, forget that lighthouse and forget the King - just pull down the blackout blinds in Ballyboe cottage. Breathe deep, sleep well and let Donegal fill your senses and your dreams. For a house to match the place check out Ballyboe Cottage, Donegal, Ireland and create your own magic.

Mary Blake Ballyboe Cottage©