Derbyshire - A Hidden Gem in the Heart of England

Derbyshire Dales and Peak District National Park is still a hidden gem in the Heart of England but more visitors are discovering the beauties of our lovely rural countryside every year.

Derbyshire can offer wonderful landscapes with views to die for! It offers wonderful walking countryside, caves to explore, many super cycling trails, beautiful reservoirs with sailing, and abseiling.

There are great houses to visit such as Chatsworth House, the home of the Devonshire family and medieval Haddon Hall (used as a setting for many popular films such as Jane Eyre and The Other Boleyn Girl) and Hardwick Hall this year celebrating the 400th year of the famous Elizabethan Bess of Hardwick.

Swallow Cottage is situated in a small conservation village with lovely views and is an immaculate comfortable cottage.

The cottage is situated in Elton village, a central location in the Peak National Park with walks from the doorstep and well placed to visit all the attractions of the area, or just relax.

The cottage can cater for up to 3 people; some of our visitors return year after year! You can be assured of a warm welcome.
Lois Clark© Swallow Cottage, Elton, Derbyshire
Taken from the cottage listing with Cottage Holidays

Exmoor - Dramatic Views and Wonderful Walks

Why speed west along the M5 past Taunton when the delight of the hidden gem - EXMOOR beckons nearby?

Tucked away between the North Devon Link road to Barnstaple and the Quantock Hills lies this wonderful moor with heather clad hills, tumbling streams and dramatic cliffs dropping to the sea of the Bristol Channel.

Within the rugged heart of Exmoor lies our private river valley where Westermill holiday cottages nestle in grass paddocks surrounded by trees. Dramatic views, wonderful way-marked walks onto the moor and two miles of sparkling river for paddling.

Watch the birds in the trees, explore our working farm or walk onto moorland and enjoy nature. Search out the enchanting villages dotted throughout the moor. Why not save your fuel by travelling to Exmoor, which is nearer and offers so much in natural activities.

Stay at Westermill Farm in the Scandinavian style cottages with woodburners, cosy and warm. Jackie Edwards, Westermill Cottages ©
Photo@ Whortleberry Lodge
Taken from listing with Cottage Holidays

North Wales - the Lleyn Peninsula

Come and explore the beautiful Lleyn Peninsula and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing holiday. The Lleyn is a unique experience and full of wild life and tranquillity.

Various pastimes are catered for including walking, cycling, golf and water sports or simply relaxing in our well maintained properties.

Enjoy panoramic views and our Welsh culture and a true welcome on our farms.
Annie Owen, Lleyn Farm Holidays©

Listed in Cottage Holidays

Herefordshire - the Green County

Herefordshire, England's most rural county, is a county of unspoilt countryside, rich red soil, bountiful farmland, wooded hills and meandering river valleys leading to distinctive Market towns, quaint villages, gardens, churches, history and beauty at every bend in the road.

Hereford lies in the West Midlands, bordered by the breathtaking Black Mountains to the west, to the north the Clee Hills forms a natural boundary to Shropshire, in the East the majestic Malverns forms our border with Worcester and the Wye and Severn rivers our the borders to the South and Gloucestershire.

The County town of Hereford is the home for a fine sandstone Cathedral which houses an exhibition containing the Mappa Mundi, the famous medieval map of the world and the unique Chained Library with manuscript dating back to the eight century and an early copy of the Magna Carter. The city dates back to Saxon times and parts of the city wall and early Castle is still visible.

The market towns of Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, Leominster and Kington, are so different, hold annual festivals from Poetry to Steam Fares and warmly welcome visitors throughout the seasons.The Black and White village trail takes you through wonderful countryside visiting villages with Tudor origins, winding streets, village pubs, market squares and treasured churches.

The gardens of Herefordshire are a treat, Hampton Court is the largest, two huge red bricked walled gardens, first a vegetable garden, a riot of colour, then water features, canals, rose beds linked with a maze and sensational wisteria walk way. Stoktonbury near Leominster is a delight, Abbeydore lies by the Dore River, so many, just waiting for you plus village open gardens through the summer and the wonderful National Gardens.

Fine churches and castles doted around the County, Dore Abbey set below the Black Mountains, Kilpeck, a Norman gem, Brockhampton a riot of Arts and Crafts, Shobdon, a breathtaking sea of blue and white icing!Goodrich castle surveys the Wye, Grosmont, Skenthrith and White Castle form a triangle to expel the Welsh or English depending on the storyteller.

The County is a showcase for many craftsmen, art and craft galleries in each Market town, displays at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford and each September, during H-Art, local craftsmen open their homes to show their crafts. The whole county is just GREEN, we are so proud of the food produced and served; the Flavours of Herefordshire is one of the very first to recognise the importance of fresh local produce.

Award winning establishments will offer you great meals using local produce.Tourism business is now actively taking part in the Green Tourism awards, from recycling, saving energy and preserving and encouraging wild life in gardens.

There is plenty to do from walking the Offa's Dyke to sampling local Cider and Perry or just enjoying the more leisurely way of life breathing in pure country air and recharging flat batteries!. Why not stay here for a while . . . . ?!

Photo above: Apple Bough and Cider Press Cottages

Jennie Layton, Grafton Villa©

Grafton Villa is listed in Cottage Holidays

Pembrokeshire - where traffic jams are rare!

Haroldston Farmhouse is centrally placed to easily access the whole of Pembrokeshire, which must surely be one of the most beautiful and varied counties in Britain.

The coastline is rugged and imposing and is accessible along almost its whole length via the 187 mile long coastal path. This provides unforgettable walking on what many believe is one of the World's premier long distance routes.

Throughout the year but particularly during the season, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus Service runs a series of shuttles, collecting hikers from the end of their walks and returning them to their cars (or vice Versa).

Alternatively, there are many mapped out circular walks.There are numerous clean and beautiful sandy beaches, many of which remain peaceful, even in high season. Marloes Sands is totally unspoilt and must be one of the loveliest anywhere, yet is only 12 miles from Haroldston.The coast is dotted with havens of all kinds, from the picturesque little harbour at Solva to the busy industrial port at Milford Haven.Regular ferries to Ireland are available at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. The crossing to Rosslare is inexpensive and takes only 4 hours, so a day trip is both practical and economical.

For those looking to be entertained, top class attractions such as Oakwood and Folly Farm are close by. The county is full of quaint and traditional pubs, many of which enjoy romantic coastal locations.For the bird-watching fraternity, regular boat trips are available to Pembrokeshire  s island reserves, most notably, Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey. In the spring and early summer, the islands are worth a visit for the enchanting puffins alone.

Turning inland, the Preseli Hills contains a feast of beauty spots and wide vistas, from sweeping moorlands, to exquisite valleys; from mysterious forests to sparkling lakes. Even here, there is plenty for the historian. The stone circle at Pentre Ifan is constructed from the same locally quarried stone as Stonehenge.

Driving in Pembrokeshire is a really pleasurable experience, particularly for those harassed commuters who are only too familiar with grid-locked roads. Even in high season, traffic jams are rare and any minor queue disperses quickly."
Martin Low Haroldston Farmhouse ©

Haroldston Farmhouse is listed in Cottage Holidays

North Norfolk - the Best Beach in the World!

Amazing Victorian house 100 yards from the sea and shops and a short distance from the Sheringham Golf Club. Car rides out to Morston for sailing and walking. You must try Morston Hall, a fantastic hotel/restaurant and recently shown on TV. A bit further on is Holkam Beach, the best beach in the world and used in many films.

You may be lucky and see the Queen's Cavalry Horses having their summer break in the sea. Or walk in the Pine woods which flank the beach. On the way back try 'Cookies' at Salthouse, a unique open air Sea Restaurant, but take your own ‘drink’.

Going the other way, you will find Felbrigg Hall, a lovely old National Trust Building with many walks around it.

There is another famous Golf Club at Cromer. Try Sheringham Park on the way to Holt where there are many beautiful rhododendrons, which come into their own in May. Finally the Poppy Line, the restored Steam Train, which goes from Sheringham to Holt, straight out of Harry Potter!

For more information about this self catering holiday accommodation in Sheringham please click here.

Jill Hampson, No. 11 Victoria Street©.

11 Victoria Street is listed in Cottage Holidays

Cottage in Dorset, Abbotsbury

Dorset's World Heritage Coast

The historic village of Abbotsbury, situated approximately midway between Weymouth and Bridport on Dorset's World Heritage Coast, provides a unique visitor experience. Above: Poppy's Cottage.

The first documented historical record for Abbotsbury, 'Orc's Charter', goes back to 1023 when King Canute gave Abbotsbury to his steward, Orc. In 1044 Orc built an abbey and after he died his wife, Tola, ceded Abbotsbury to the Benedictine abbey. In the 14thC the Abbey built the Great Tithe Barn (the largest surviving in Britain), St. Catherine's chapel on the hill above the village and the church of St. Nicholas.

On the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1540's, Henry V111's commissioner, Sir Giles Strangways, was offered the purchase of Abbotsbury from the Crown, provided he demolished the abbey! Sir Giles built a manor house using abbey stone and settled down to enjoy the fruits of his labours. Sir Giles' descendants still own Abbotsbury to this day!Abbotsbury is now a picturesque village of predominantly 17thC cottages.

The visitor may browse the many arts and crafts shops, visit the Great Tithe Barn Children's Farm, the ancient Swannery, the magnificent Sub-tropical Gardens and the church (with bullet holes in the pulpit made during the Civil War).Visit St. Catherine's chapel which provides stunning panoramic views along the Jurassic coastline - after which why not enjoy a cream tea, home made cakes or a speciality lunch in one of Abbotsbury's pretty cafes.

The geological phenomenon of the Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury is renowned for excellent fishing as well as a quite literally breathtaking seascape. The village is also surrounded by a network of footpaths, not least of which is the Dorset Coast Path from where you may experience wonderful views and enjoy the flora and fauna of this unique coastline.

For those wishing a less energetic holiday, there is always the X53 Jurassic coast bus that runs along the coastline transporting visitors from Swanage to Exeter, naturally via Abbotsbury! Elworth Farmhouse cottages, VB 4-5 Stars, situated in a rural hamlet within Abbotsbury parish, provide the perfect retreat from where to visit all of the attractions.

For further information on the cottages and locality visit our web site or our entry in Cottage Holidays. We hope to welcome you to this truly beautiful part of Dorset.
Chris Wade Elworth Farm House©

North Devon - a Hidden Gem!

My husband is a Devon boy, but from the south and little did I know about the great north south Devon differences. North Devon is a hidden gem, it has absolutely stunning coastal walks and the views & sunsets are out of this world.

Our cottages are set in a wooded valley and surrounded by lovely Devon countryside. The wildlife in our gardens is enough to keep you relaxed, just look out for our Jay family, the Sparrow Hawk, Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Nuthatches, Blue Tits, friendly Robins, Jackdaws, Blackbirds and our resident squirrels and foxes. Buzzards often soar over the cottages and Egrets have recently visited the Castle pond near the cottages.

Watermouth Cove is a rural seaside idyll, our cottages are beside Watermouth Castle and just a 200 yard walk will take you to the sea and the south west coastal path. The sunsets are magnificent so there is no need to spend loads on entertainment.

The cottages are within a mile of beautiful Berrynarbor village and a short drive of Combe Martin & Ilfracombe with their beaches, pubs and restaurants. Our cottages are ideally situated for a wide range of local attractions and activities to suit all ages.

These include Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, Exmoor Zoo, Exmoor National Park, Valley of the Rocks, Lynton & Barnstaple (Woody Bay) railway, Arlington Court, Chambercombe Manor, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood and Broomhill gardens. Local activities include sea and course fishing, North Devon coastal path walks, Horse riding, Golf, Boating and Wild Life Cruises, Surfing, Diving and Beach activities, Quad bikes or simply just chilling out.

Nearby are the magnificent sandy surfing beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Croyde bay. You are on the doorstep of the Exmoor national park and Lorna Doone country with its unique wild beauty and variety of flora and fauna.

Exmoor is also famous for its wild ponies, Red Deer and birds of prey Lundy Island is just off the North Devon coast and can reached on a boat trip on the MS Oldenburg from historic Ilfracombe harbour. Lund-ey which is Norse for Puffin Island is a place of outstanding natural beauty and a nature reserve for seals, seabird and all types of marine life. Spectacular wildlife, coastal cruises and fishing boats trips depart daily from Ilfracombe.

From the North Devon coast it is just over an hour's drive to resorts such as Bude, Minehead, Dunster and Torquay and less than two hours drive to Cornwall's Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan. North Devon is for Singles, couples, families, groups, and it’s such a dog friendly beautiful destination.

What are you waiting for…………………?

Authors: Clare & Steve Mountain
Watermouth Cove Cottages