Posted by Suzanne on December 9, 2009 under Travel | 
If a stay in the UK forms part of the 2010 holiday plans, why not take the kids to a farm retreat. No need for you to get down and dirty, www.internet-cottages.com offers stylish cottages and barn conversions on working farms in which you can relax. Meanwhile the kids will love the fresh air, space and, of course, the animals and wildlife.
Knowle Farm Cottages, Nr Totnes, Devon
The farm is set in 44 acres and features 6 converted barns sleeping between 2-8 people. There are plenty of animals to keep you company and other things to keep kids entertained include an indoor heated pool, soft play area, outdoor play area, tennis court and table tennis. Prices range from £285-£1195.
Eastside Farm Holiday Cottages, Silverburn, nr Edinburgh
There are three modernised holiday cottages on this working sheep farm set in 3000 acres in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, with plenty of wildlife, pony trekking and fishing on the doorstep, yet you are only 10 minutes from Edinburgh. There’s plenty of wildlife, pony trekking and fishing on the doorstep. Sleeping 2-6 people these cottages are well equipped and well furnished . Prices range from £250-£720.
Trecan Farm Cottages, Lanreath, Looe, Cornwall
These four cottages are well located, surrounded by beautiful countryside with beaches, plenty of watersports and riding nearby, plus the must-see Eden Project is only 15 minutes away. Children can play safely in the paddocks, feed chickens and collect the eggs for breakfast. There’s also a tennis court and games barn. Sleeping between 4-5 people, all cottages have private gardens. Prices range from £195-£750.
Tags: cornwall, cornwall cottages, cottage, cottage holiday, cottage holidays scotland, Cottages, Eastside Farm Holiday Cottages, Edinburgh, england scotland, family holiday, farm cottages, holiday home, holiday homes, Knowle Farm Cottages, Lanreath, Looe, Silverburn, south devon, Totnes, Trecan Farm Cottages
Posted by Suzanne on March 9, 2009 under Last Minute Cottage Breaks, Travel |
Whatever the weather – it’s great to be out and about the British Countryside. Internet Cottages has a selection of lovely properties that provide relaxing cosy accommodation and plenty round about for energetic kids and adults.
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Valley Lodges, Indoor Pool
VALLEY LODGES, Honicombe Manor,
St. Anne’s Chapel, Callington, Cornwall
Alpine-style 3 bedroom lodge, sleeps 6/8
Bad weather?
• Onsite: Includes access to an indoor pool, gymnasium, sauna, tennis courts and children’s play area!
• 5 minutes drive – the newest free tourist attraction in the region: Morwelham Quay. Go underground at the historic George and Charlotte Copper mines. (Narrow-gauge mine railway ride £5.00 children/£6.50 adult)
• 30 minutes drive – The Eden Project – spectacular weather-proof biospheres!
• 25 minutes walk – Tamar Valley Line station – round trip takes in Brunel’s stunning Tamar Bridge (and several Real Ale watering holes).
Felgate Cottage Lounge
FELGATE COTTAGE, THORPEWOOD COTTAGES,
Thorpe Market, Cromer, Norfolk
One of five charming barn conversions set in extensive grounds in this delightful corner of rural Norfolk - only five miles from the traditional seaside town of Cromer. Sleeps 4/6.
Please quote ref: KEITH
Bad weather?
• All within 30 minutes drive:
Get down and dirty at the Muckleburgh Collection of tanks guns, and military vehicles plus RAF, Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft memorabilia. Rides available!
• Norwich city – boasts Cathedral,Castle and Museum plus one of the UK’s top ten shopping centres.
• Sandringham House, Museum and Gardens – enjoy the royal estate and many gifts given to the Queen on foreign travels.
The Coach House Lounge, Olde Bluebell Cottages
THE COACH HOUSE, OLDE BLUE BELL COTTAGES,
Heversham, Cumbria
One of three beautiful cottages converted from an 18th century coaching inn estate, situated in a quiet central village location.
Sleeps 6.
Please quote ref: CHSE E
Bad weather?
• Stay in and enjoy a Jacuzzi, underfloor heating, and mood lighting. Luxury kitchen kept stocked for home cooked meals in.
• Two minute walk to the village pub, the Blue Bell Inn for excellent bar meals
• Brave the elements for a 20 minute walk up Heversham Head for views of the estuary
• Short drive to
- Levens Hall magnificent Elizabethan mansion -Jacobean furniture, fine paintings, the earliest English patchwork and many other beautiful objects.
- Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, Exotic wildlife, fossils and interactive ‘hands-on’ displays.
Knowle Cottage Lounge, Hartington Cottages
KNOWLE COTTAGE, HARTINGTON COTTAGES
Hartington, Derbyshire Peak District
5 Star picture-postcard cottage in highly regarded village in the heart of the White Peak, sleeps 6.
Bad weather?
• The setting is stunning but Hartington’s central position within the White Peak makes it 11 miles equidistant from Buxton, Matlock, Bakewell, Ashbourne and Leek, Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall
• 30 minutes drive - Alton Towers.
Posted by admin on January 9, 2009 under Reviews |
Suzanne, our holiday blogger, meets Steve and Geraldine Dillingham, owners of Halwyn Holidays, Helston, on a family holiday in the Lizard Peninsula.
When Steve and Geraldine Dillingham decided to take the plunge and make their holiday dream of relocating to the remote Lizard peninsula come true, it was a leap of faith for the couple and their two children.
Their choice of home was the converted Halwyn holiday farmstead located along narrow lanes about 2.5 miles out of St Keverne, a small village “in the middle of nowhere”. They purchased the property in March 2006 and moved from Weston-Super-Mare where they had many friends.
Geraldine and Steve with Dog Somerfield
“Everyone warned us that we would feel isolated,” says Geraldine, who hails from Bedfordshire – “they also said that the Cornish people would not be friendly – but they were wrong. The people here love visitors and they are welcoming to anyone who wants to come and live and contribute to the community.
A visit to the Lizard Peninsula out-of-season proves that inland village communities such as St Keverne are full of life. We were charmed by the old-fashioned painted Christmas decorations around the village square, thriving high class butchers, friendly local shops - even a post office and a wonderful drop-in surgery (called upon after our eldest sprained her wrist skating at the Eden Project).
Time warp – the village square, St Keverne
It was important for the Dillingham children, then 11 and 16, to be part of the decision to move. “We all wanted Halwyn,” says Geraldine, “especially the kids – though we made it clear to them that it would be a family effort to run the complex and they would have to pull their weight – which they agreed.”
The Halwyn complex boasts an indoor pool featuring detailed animal murals by a local artist, and two acres of landscaped lawns with sub-tropical gardens around a stream and lake.
Halwyn was converted from a farm way back in the 70’s, but when the Dillinghams took over there was a lot of upgrading to be done. As well as the large farmhouse there is a grain store converted into matching two double-bedroom maisonettes, an ex-piggery hosting an indoor pool and a three bedroom courtyard cottage – and this all required a complete makeover. Now boasting well-appointed kitchens and bathrooms, and charmingly-decorated bedrooms and living rooms adorned with local artists’ images of the Cornish coast, the cottages create a very welcoming environment.
With the eldest child now in college, the gruelling round of cleaning, decorating, administration, marketing and maintenance that goes along with owning four homes keeps the remaining three Dillinghams fully-occupied year round, with help brought in only at the highest point of the season. “It’s about ten times more work than we expected,” says Steve cheerfully. Nevertheless, the couple still find time to run a B&B and evening meal service from the farmhouse, and entertain their visitors once a week with a barbeque on the terrace throughout the summer months. “We ask people to bring their own drinks. It’s a great way for everyone to make friends. Some families have ended up booking weeks together the following year.”
Geraldine has developed a special knack for the details that make sure guests are above all comfortable. “We made a list of all the best things about all the holiday places we’d been,” she said, “and we have tried to put them into practice.”
For our family - mum, dad and two under 10’s - an exhausted arrival after a 7-hour drive was lifted by the joy of finding a luxury box of thickly-coated chocolate biscuits to complement the supplies of fresh milk, tea and home-made mince pies. The pleasure only deepened as we found a welcome hamper containing a bottle of wine, packet of coffee and fresh fruit, then a bale of thick luxury towels on our very comfortable beds – and a nice “spa” touch - fresh towels by the poolside for our sauna and swim, laundered every time. (And just in case they were laying it on for Internet Cottages – I checked the visitors’ book!)
Child 2 enjoys a game of pooh-sticks on the stream
Other fun touches include a huge pile of board games and videos free to raid from the pool conservatory, and an instantly warming coal-effect burner in the lounge to create a cosy atmosphere. It was notable that despite the wealth of local beaches and visitor attractions, my two children were reluctant to go out some days. This may be not surprising given it was January and the weather was a little chilly (although several degrees warmer than the rest of the country) but there is a Halwyn effect - noted by Steve: “It’s amazing - so many people tell us that their kids don’t want to leave here. They’re happy making friends or playing board games – like they are rediscovering family life as it used to be”
I for one discovered why Halwyn has many devotees. If you want to discover a self -catering holiday combining family hospitality with five star touches at affordable cottage prices then you had better book ahead! Prices start from £390.00 for a week for four to six people. Bed and breakfast is available from £30.00 per person per night.
Link to Halwyn
Sorry if you found Halwyn already booked for your preferred week.
Try our full selection of Cornish cottages here.
