The Isle of Skye for beautiful scenery

The Isle of Skye is larger than many people think, with an area of 640 square miles, Skye is the second largest island in Scotland and home to some of Britain’s largest mountains towering over 3000 feet above sea level. Lying off the North West coast of Scotland, Skye generally has a milder climate due to the Gulf Stream flowing from warmer waters.

If you walk, drive or climb, Skye has an abundance of interests on offer, beautiful coastal walks, bird watching and wildlife. Hill walking and mountains to climb. Galleries to visit, local crafts and museums, plus glorious views at almost every turn.

Many folk who come to Skye for a week return time and time again enjoying the changing seasons; the colours of Skye change constantly with the purple heather, yellow gorse and wonderfully clear air that smells so fresh. Quiet roads without traffic jams help make a peaceful and enjoyable holiday.

The Isle of Skye has a toll free bridge joining it to the mainland allowing easy access by road. If you prefer there are two ferries, one from Mallaig to Armadale and the other from Glenelg to Kylerhea. If you are flying, Inverness has a good airport with several car hire companies, and one of Britain’s prettiest train lines connect Inverness to Kyle, right by the Skye Bridge.

Teeny’s Cottage, a completely refurbished four-star self-catering cottage, is ideally located as a comfortable base for exploring the Isle of Skye, but wherever you stay, book early as the Isle of Skye is a very popular destination with late availability hard to find.

Have a holiday with a difference, enjoy beautiful scenery, peace and quiet and the freshest air; you won’t be disappointed.

Denis Blackham, Teeny's Cottage ©
Photo: Teeny's Cottage
Teeny's Cottage is also listed in Cottage Holidays

The Cotswolds

Stroud and the surrounding area is in the heart of the undiscovered Cotswolds, away from the hustle and bustle of urban living.

Here, you will find quaint towns and villages immersed in picturesque pastures of the thriving agricultural heritage. If beautiful landscapes are what you care for, Uley Bury offers magnificent views, comprising lush, green farm land and the protruding giants of the Malverns.

The views from Coaley picnic site are also breathtaking, thought of as one of the most picturesque panoramas in the UK. For a scenic stroll, the canal path walks from Sharpness to Gloucester present stunning views of the Severn estuary, Malvern and one of England's few lasting ancient woodlands: Forest of Dean.

The town of Stroud and the surrounding area comprise concealed valleys and commons ideal for a breath of fresh air or an ice cream from the award winning Winstones factory. The town itself offers the 'Farmers Market of the Year 2008', one of the busiest and most popular markets in the UK providing mouth-watering organic and local produce.

For those with an urge to shop, the spa towns of Cheltenham and Bath provide a vast array of high street stores and exclusive boutiques, catering for all divergent tastes. Appetites can also be fulfilled, with a huge range of restaurants and cafes satisfying taste-buds on all budgets. What’s more, in Bath, one can experience the UK’s only natural thermal spa, as the Celts and Romans made use of over 2,000 years ago.

Tetbury and Cirencester also provide visitors with an extensive selection of establishments, in a smaller and quainter setting. In Cirencester, visit the Cotswold Water Park which consists of over 140 lakes, in which one can partake in activities ranging from golf to wakeboarding.

As for where to satisfy one's thirst, nestled within the charming villages and towns, quiet country pubs are located providing an extensive selection of tipples. In particular The Old Spot in Dursley, located on the Cotswold Way, is a popular watering-hole for ramblers, named Real Ale Pub of the Year 2007, due to the extensive selection of Real ales changed monthly.

The history of this area is extensive, with many National Trust and English Heritage sites to visit. Berkeley and Sudeley Castle are open to the public where one can experience a 'Rumbustious Medieval Romp' with jousting and archery displays. This area is also home to two surviving Saxon churches steeped in history, Deerhurst and Leonard Stanley. The latter is located on a working dairy farm, described as one of the most evocative historical sites in the country, where two holiday cottages are situated.

For ghost hunters, this monastic site has been noted as being home to a hooded monk who paces the grounds at midnight. If your appetite has been wetted by the descriptions of good food, scenery and history that this area can offer, a break to this area is thoroughly recommended and guaranteed to be enjoyed.
David Pullin, Priory Farm Cottages©
Photo: The Cottages

North Wales village near Conwy

DWYGYFYLCHI !! What a funny name .. .. where is it? Well, it's a sleepy picturesque village situated between the North Wales towns of Conwy and Penmaenmawr right on the edge of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.

Here you will find the 5 star cottages of Alltwen and Tal y Fan situated at Glyn Uchaf in Conwy Old Road, set in 11 acres, surrounded by hills and woodland but within sight of the sea. It is only minutes from the historic castle walled town of Conwy, an European heritage site. Take a scenic drive over the Sychnant Pass and enjoy it's splendour and perhaps journey on for 10 minutes to the Victorian resort of Llandudno with its ancient seaside pier.

Take the tramway up to the top of the great Orme and savour the views out to sea and then up into the hills with their unique welcome. The area within 15 minutes of DWYGYFYCHI has some of the most stunning mountain scenery and some of the best blue flag beaches in North Wales. Whatever your hobby all is available close at hand.

You will not be disappointed in this little corner of North Wales that can be reached by quick routes from all of the United Kingdom.

Photo: Alltwen Cottage

John Baxter Alltwen and Tal y Fan ©
Alltwen and Taly Fan Cottages are listed in Cottage Holidays

Norfolk is where we live now!

I grew up in the suburbs of London – for 40 years in all, and despite the delights of Buckingham Palace, The Natural History Museum, The Tower of London, theatres, parks, the Cutty Sark and sight-seeing boat-trips along the Thames, I think my best memories are of leaving London for our annual family holiday – a good many of which were spent here in Norfolk - often at Wells Next To The Sea, or on farms further in-land where we could ransack barns full of straw bales and feed the animals.

Norfolk is where we live now – Thorpe Market Village, just a few miles south of Cromer. After 20 years of commuting we had achieved exactly what my parents had - a family with two young children, a suburban house and car, before redundancy struck. It was time to choose between another quarter of a century of commuting and a desk-job, or taking a risk and doing something different.

So, here we are today. Keith and Paula with daughter Victoria (6) and James (3) living in a thatched 16th century farmhouse and renting out old farm buildings that we have converted into holiday cottages (see photo). We have 8 acres of private forest and fields for us and guests to explore. An abundance of chickens, pheasants, deer, swallows, frogs and moles. Lambs, goat kids and calves are in the adjacent field and wander over to see us when we go outside. It is all very different from the suburban garden that used to attract pigeons and urban foxes.

We love holiday-makers – you always see people at their best when on an annual trip. Ensuring they have a wonderful and memorable time is really rewarding. Reading comments in our visitor’s books gives us great pleasure and a sense of pride. We have swapped London and it attractions for a rural community, but still with everything and more nearby.

The beach at Mundsley is our favourite, but Cromer and Sherringham are great too. West Runton is the best for rock-pooling. Further along the coast, Cley has a fantastic bird sanctuary, and at Blakeney Point there are seals and boat trips. National Trust properties abound, as well as exhilarating days out for the kids at Dinosaur World, Gressenhall, Wroxham Barns, Thrigby and Cromer zoos, and plenty of others that we are yet to explore.

For traditional fish, chips, beach, arcades, circus and fun-fairs no resort can match Great Yarmouth. The Norfolk Broads are a holiday on their own, but also an ideal outing in a day-boat. Fishing, cycling, swimming, theatres, galleries, golf can also be found. Norwich is great for shops, old buildings and museums – and getting around is easy whether by car, bus, cycling, diesel or steam trains. The pubs and restaurants, both rural and city, are a must.

If you are not lucky enough to live in Norfolk, I recommend you come for a visit – it may even result in you moving here permanently.

Keith Barr, Thorpewood Cottages©

Also listed in Cottage Holidays