Cottage Breaks & Weekends UK

What to do at the weekend, What's on at the weekend?
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Country Cottage Rentals. Cottages and Farmhouses to rent

Cosy Cottage. Bourton on Water

Renting a country cottage is a fantastic way of enjoying a self-catering break, weekend or entire holiday. There's nothing like an English country cottage or farmhouse rental in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland or even Villas and Gites in European Destinations.

When weather isn't an important aspect of your break, a cottage rental is perfect. Snuggle up by a real crackling fire or wood burning stove, ancient genuine old oak beams and gaslight mantles.

It is difficult to believe that some of those quaint old country cottages with thatched roofs and rose covered porches still exist. Nestled in busy informal English country gardens with nearby ponds, mills and coastal walks. Breathtaking views and heritage footpaths will blow away the cobwebs and stress of the mind.

Cottage rentals can be fun or refreshing handwork depending on your mood and ability. It also depends on the facilities available. You might first discover the key under a stone by the door, yes, it happens, but be mindful that villages have eyes and ears, sometimes more than CCTV cameras in a city!.

If the cottage is continually rented throughout most of the year, then you'll probably find it is clean and ready for your occupation. You'll probably know in advance what type of heating it has and indeed the caretaker, cleaner or landlord may have a welcome fire blazing. Be prepared for a cold reception and prepare a small pack that may contain a box of matches, toilet paper, hot drink material including a teaspoon. At the very least you can get warm, make a drink and use the toilet before embarking on a shopping trip.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO UK HOLIDAY COTTAGES

ISN'T IT TOO LATE TO BOOK?
by Harriet O'Brien - Independent Newspapers UK Ltd

You're unlikely to get much of a bargain at this stage, but there is some availability " though with distinct regional variations. Dales Holiday Cottages, for example, with about 600 properties in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria and Scotland, prices accommodation in the mid- season, rather than high-season, bracket during the Bank Holiday week. The company (0870 909 9500; www.dales- holiday-cottages.com) says that demand tapers towards the end of the school summer holidays and that the last week in August tends to attract couples rather than family groups. So in northern regions you are likely to find fewer vacant small properties and many more larger ones.

The reverse is true for Classic Cottages (01326 555 555; www.classiccottages.co.uk), which offers more than 500 holiday homes in the south-west. The company says that family demand is still very high over the Bank Holiday. Meanwhile the Wales Tourism Alliance says that coastal areas always fill up first " so there will inevitably be a better selection of properties inland in the Welsh countryside. The examples cited below were all available at the time of going to press.