Log Cabins to RentWhat could make your holiday go with more of a swing than tennis courts and neighbours willing to make up a competitive four? Or else other kids to play with your kids, and let them enjoy themselves with no effort on your part? However works best for you there is no doubt that a tennis court helps to serve up an enjoyable holiday. The log cabins below won’t get you to Wimbledon, but at least it’s a start.
Tremaine Manor sits within three and a half acres of breathtaking gardens in Cornwall’s rural countryside, just ten minutes from the picturesque harbour village of Looe. With seven impressive bedrooms, the manor house sleeps up to twelve adults and two children so it is perfect for groups of friends or family that are looking to get away from it all and be close to the sea. Tremaine Manor boasts two wings which flow brilliantly as one residence and offer exceptional living spaces. With a spacious entrance hall, two kitchens, a beautiful drawing room with an atmospheric open fireplace, a second living room, two conservatories and a gorgeous dining room that doubles as a snooker room, guests enjoy a very memorable stay at Tremaine Manor. Within the grounds of Tremaine Manor there are four holiday cottages which you could also book if you have extra guests or want to have an enormous family get together.
Looe is a charming harbour village divided into two by the River Looe. It is a centre of offshore shark fishing. With a gorgeous sandy beach, crabbing on the quayside, quaint cobbled streets, independent local shops and an abundance of restaurants and pubs serving handmade Cornish pasties and gourmet seafood, Looe is very popular with visitors returning year after year. The South West Coastal Path, Britain’s longest National Trail, passes through and Bodmin Moor is on the doorstep with its granite tors, plentiful streams, waterfalls, moorland ponies, pretty heather and wild beauty. Tremaine Manor is within easy reach of Fowey and Polperro, dating back to the thirteenth century and one of the oldest villages in Cornwall.
Tremaine Manor is beautifully presented throughout with vintage furnishings, antique artworks and delightful soft furnishings. The main drawing room is light and airy with natural sunlight flooding through its windows and doors. Traditional sofas and armchairs sit around the gorgeous open fireplace, a lovely spot for family board games and pre-dinner drinks. The second living room is equally lovely with another attractive fireplace making it cosy and snug on chilly evenings. Both rooms offer giant wall-mounted televisions so if the youngsters are tired after a busy day, they can watch a movie in one room while you enjoy planning the next day’s adventures in the other. The dining room is very characterful with its library of books and its snooker table with a leafed table top that provides formal dining for fourteen guests. The snooker table offers much fun and healthy competition. The main, family kitchen also enjoys a large breakfast table for informal dining. The chefs in your group will be delighted by the cobalt blue kitchen with its huge range of cabinetry, extensive workspace and excellent appliances including a range cooker. In addition, there is a second kitchen in a vibrant shade of green. If you are planning a celebratory meal, there is certainly lots of space to prepare it! You could even arrange a ‘Come Dine With Me’ competition with some cooking in one kitchen and others in the additional one! The manor house also offers two very sunny conservatories, perhaps the places to head off to with a cup of tea and the Sunday newspapers.
If you are booking Tremaine Manor as two families, you will be happy to discover two master bedroom suites as well as four kingsized bedrooms and the children’s bunk room. Each of the bedrooms is extremely comfortable and if you are lucky you will sleep in a four poster bed. All of the beds are beautifully dressed with crisp cottons and beautiful throws and cushions. You will be surrounded by attractive vintage furniture and plenty of artwork decorating the walls. The masters enjoy ensuite bathrooms plus there are two family bathrooms. They are all modern and immaculate. In addition, there are three separate cloakrooms in the house.
Each wing of the house enjoys a fabulous terrace. You can lounge on stylish wooden outdoor furniture, dine alfresco, take a dip in the hot tub, have a fun time using the pizza oven, enjoy a game of chess on the giant chess board, snuggle up next to the firepit or grab some deckchairs and head onto the lawn with your holiday book. There is even a hammock where you can enjoy a snooze. The gardens and terraces are absolutely beautiful. The owners have thought of everything to make your stay enjoyable and memorable with family games such as chess and croquet.
Looe is a wonderful destination for a holiday. Whilst retaining a working fishing port, the town entertains guests all year round. You can stand on the charming quayside watching crabbers busy at work and fishing boats returning with their catches. You can dine on fresh fish in one of the local gourmet restaurants overlooking the harbour or taste the award winning fish and chips near the river. You can cross the bridge that separates East and West Looe. The Looe Marine Conservation Group run regular rockpool rambles for children of all ages. Their website gives details of the wildlife events and local family friendly adventures such as crabbing, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing and visits to Looe Island.
Looe Island was once a holy pilgrimage site. Now it is a sanctuary for wildlife and rare plants. In 2004 Looe Island was left to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust by Babs Atkins who had bought the island with her sister in the 1960’s. You will discover a grey seal population sunbathing on the rocks and swimming around the island. The island is home to many nesting birds such as cormorants, shags and oystercatchers. It boasts the largest breeding colony in Cornwall of the majestic great black-backed gull. During the summer months there are frequent boat trips and guided walks. The Old Sardine Factory Heritage Centre tells the story of Looe’s maritime history. You will learn how Looe exported pilchards to Italy, sent pilgrims to Galicia and sailed across the Atlantic to catch cod off of Newfoundland. You will also learn about boat building and experience a lifeboat Shout! with state-of-the-art technology. The centre is also a climbing wall and kayaking centre. If you fancy a scenic day out but don’t want to drive, you can take the Looe Valley train line to the historic market town of Liskeard. There are stunning views though heavily wooded valleys teeming with wildlife, glorious estuary views and rivers full of wading birds such as little egrets, grey herons, oystercatchers and curlews. Looe’s Music Festival is fast becoming a very popular outdoor event attracting many famous artists such as Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Lulu, the Stranglers and many more.
Bodmin Moor is one of Cornwall’s designated Areas of Outstanding Beauty. With its giant stretches of heather, this upland granite moorland is delightful. It is brimming with high granite tors, streams and waterfalls and you will probably get to see the moorland ponies grazing.
The stunning South West Coast Path passed through Looe. Starting in Minehead in Somerset, it covers 630 miles ending in Poole in Dorset. It offers extraordinary sea views and is very popular. There are also countless walks in the beautiful countryside surrounding Looe. You may want to walk around Fowey where you can enjoy seeing Menabilly, once the home of Daphne du Maurier and the inspiration for Manderley in her novel Rebecca. Fowey is a popular sailing destination and a quaint deep-water fishing port. There is a ferry service to the pretty village of Polruan opposite. Walking from Polruan towards Polperro you will pass the beautiful Lantic Bay and the horseshoe shaped West Coombe at Lansallos. Polperro is a gorgeous, quintessential Cornish fishing village with steep narrow streets, pretty slate cottages and stunning views. Sheltered from the ravages of tide and time in its dramatic cliff ravine, Polperro is an enchanting jumble of cottages, all the work of Cornish fishermen. The 36 mile walk from Looe to Boscastle is wonderful, crossing Bodmin Moor via Davidstow, Rough Tor and Brown Willy and passing through the verdant West Looe Valley. The Deerpark Forest is also another treat with many trails running through the woodland. With tranquil millpond views, winding forest trails and a hidden valley, it is a great day out.
In an oasis of gracious and glorious living in the fifty acre grounds of the Glaneirw Estate, Welsh Coach House is a unique, stunningly beautiful five bedroom property perfect for family holidays and wonderful celebrations. Welsh Coach House is a beautifully restored former Coach House and Granary situated in its own landscaped private gardens with total privacy and seclusion. On the borders of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, this wonderful home is just a five minute drive from the exceptional sandy beaches of Tresaith and Aberporth in Cardigan Bay. Offering a totally unforgettable stay in this hidden corner of Wales, Welsh Coach House is approached by a glorious avenue of beech trees that line the driveway of the wonderfully private Glaneirw Estate. The fully restored Glaneirw Georgian mansion sits in all its glory on the site of the once Eirw Castle with some parts dating back to the 1300’s. The estate is brimming with pasture and woodland, surrounding both the mansion house and Welsh Coach House. The estate managers farm Pedigree Dexter Cattle and rare breed Mangalitsa pigs on the estate and enjoy eggs from their free range chickens. Guests can purchase first class meat and eggs from the farm. The pigs forage in the woodlands and the meat has distinct marbling giving it a rich, flavoursome texture. During the winter, the pigs are fed on apples and pears from the estate orchard.
When you book a holiday in Welsh Coach House, you will quickly get lost in the bird song and country air. If you can bear to leave this lavish house and its beautiful gardens, you will quickly discover gorgeous beaches, a scenic coastal path, dolphin spotting trips, stunning gardens and charming seaside villages. It is the perfect base to explore the Cardigan Bay Heritage coastline and the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Coastal Path. Welsh Coach House has been lovingly renovated with a brilliant blend of old and new. It is a period property with style and swagger and the most tasteful of furnishings. With five bedrooms, it is also the perfect place to bridge the gap between generations, to reinvigorate and recharge the batteries in country air. You can invite the grandparents along knowing that there are outstanding entertainment spaces and plenty of quiet corners to disappear off to for a peaceful read and a cup of tea. Within its honey-coloured stone walls and stable doors, you will discover a truly beautiful holiday home decorated in wonderful contemporary colour palettes. Welsh Coach House enjoys a fascinating history with the bell that was used to call staff in around 1871 still in position in Welsh Coach House’s bell tower. A Georgian façade was added and an age of hippy commune became part of its life.
As well as its beautiful five bedrooms, Welsh Coach House offers three elegant bathrooms and a downstairs cloakroom, a fantastic games room, an impressive, slate floored main reception room, a very generous sized modern kitchen and huge, open hallways. The master bedroom suite is a glorious, light and airy space with its sumptuous bed being dressed in luxury Egyptian cotton linen. Each of the bathrooms is a beautifully tiled space with a contemporary freestanding bath as well as a large walk-in shower. Many of the coach house’s original features are intact including huge oak doors, aged terracotta tiles and highly impressive slate floors. Welsh Coast House boasts high ceilings, ornate architraves and characterful wooden beams.
The drawing room is smart and elegant offering the chance to mingle or slide away. Lavish grey sofas sit opposite each other where you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks or family games. The vintage dining table offers elegance and style. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with oversized, excellent black appliances, a huge array of wooden cabinets and a handy breakfast table. It is easy to prepare a holiday feast in such a brilliant space. The games room is fabulous with a full-size table tennis table, dart board and even a beer fridge. There is also a Smart television and a good supply of DVD’s and board games for your entertainment.
The bedrooms are totally luxurious with quality, crisp linens and soft throws and cushions adorning the sumptuous beds. You will deep dive into some serious shut eye wanting to wake early to explore this wondrous estate. The upper bedrooms boast characterful beams and sloping ceilings.
Outside you will discover extensive lawns, an alfresco lounge and dining terrace, gorgeous borders and a Weber barbecue which your barbecue masters will be delighted with, especially when buying quality meats from the farm. Beyond the walled garden is the estate orchard with a mixture of original and recently planted fruit trees and soft fruit bushes which guests are welcome to enjoy when in season.
The delightful holiday resort of Aberporth boasts two fabulous Blue Flag beaches between the rocky headlands of Trecregyn and Fathgarreg and some charming seaside shops, cafes and pubs. On the southern edge of Cardigan Bay, visitors are attracted by its beaches and access to the stunning Wales Coastal Path. There are pleasure boats, sailing boats, kayaks and canoes for hire. You will also enjoy watching the local fishermen unloading crate after crate of giant spider crabs and other seafish. In the 17th and 18th centuries herring were plentiful in Cardigan Bay so Aberporth had at least twenty full time herring smacks. Now it is mainly crab and lobster fishing. You will find rock pools exposed at low tide and the cliff top walks along the Ceredigion coast boast extensive views as far as the Llyn Peninsula. There is a wonderful carving of a leaping dolphin overlooking the beach as bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen close to shore.
The Wales Coast Path, otherwise known as the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Coastal Path, is well established with clear signing and spectacular walking, especially from Cardigan to Borth. From Aberporth you may just want to walk along the cliffs to Tresaith or you may want to take the circular walk. There are seaside saunters along the fronts of coastal towns and villages, literary trails such as the Dylan Thomas Trail around New Quay, delightful strolls along country lanes bordered with ancient hedgerows full of wild flowers, invigorating walks across wild headlands enjoying stunning views of the rugged Cardigan Bay coastline, challenging mountain hikes in the remote uplands of the Cambrian Mountains or slow riverside rambles along the Teifi, Aeron Rheidol and Ystwyth valleys. Cardigan Bay has a number of useful little buses if you do not want to drive.
Keen cyclists enjoy the amazing cycle routes around Cardigan Bay. You can hire cycles from New Image Bikes, Cardigan if you do not want to take your own. Those that enjoy active holidays love canoeing along the River Teifi. At 79km, it is one of the longest rivers in Wales, starting at Teifi Pools high up near Tregaron. The section from Llechryd Bridge to the mouth of the river at Poppit Sands is tidal so it makes a wonderful half day canoe trip if there is enough water. You must check the tides though. Surfing is popular in Aberporth, Poppit Sands and Llangrannog. Visitors also enjoy paddleboarding, sailing, waterskiing and wakeboarding. There are some epic sea fishing boat trips available as well as salmon and sea trout in the lower reaches of the Teifi. The Pembrokeshire Anglers Association has fifteen miles of prime salmon, trout and sea trout fishing on the Western Cleddau River while the Nevern River is also popular. Sea bass can be found off Dale Beach, Whitesands and Poppit Sands.
As well as Aberporth beaches, there are some other wonders to visit including the once smugglers cove, Cwmtydu Beach, Llangrannog Beach which enjoys superb coastal scenery, the National Trust’s beautiful Penbryn Beach though there is a bit of a walk to the beach, Tresaith Beach which is named after the River Saith that cascades over the cliffs to the beach with a waterfall, Mwnt Beach, another National Trust jewel with gorgeous cliff top walks, Poppit Sands which is one of the popular beaches with plenty of sand dunes and Newport Sands Beach, another duned wonder.
The islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Ramsey are located a few miles off the Pembrokeshire coast. Managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, the islands are home to puffins, Manx shearwaters, Atlantic grey seals, razorbills, gannets and much more wildlife.
The magnificent Harpsden Hall sits in the beautiful village of Harpsden, just outside Henley-on-Thames. Sitting in Harpsden valley, it is next to Henley Golf Course which will please the golfers amongst you! With five bedrooms in the main house and the Woodpecker Studio and the Oak Annexe, this stunning property can sleep twenty guests in total. It is incredibly stylish, absolutely immaculate and very luxurious.
Harpsden has been crowned Oxfordshire’s ‘poshest’ village by The Telegraph. The area is brimming with celebrity homes including those of Russell Brand and Mary Berry. Harpsden sits on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Henley-on-Thames. It’s High Wood is full of beautiful bluebells in May. The village has enjoyed a few TV appearances including Agatha Christie’s Marple episodes ‘Nemesis’ and ‘By the Pricking of My Thumbs’ and Harpsden Court was used for the Bond film Quantum of Solace. It is very pretty and beautifully kept. The fabulous 13th century market town of Henley sits on a picturesque stretch of the River Thames with delightful walks and regular festivities. The Henley Royal Regatta is the most famous regatta in the world and a highlight on the English sporting calendar. Henley now even has its own special gin, Mr Hobbs Gin. The Chiltern Hills are ready of exploration, offering scenic rolling countryside and wonderful tranquility. You will discover tucked away villages, chalk-fed streams, ancient woods, superb scenery, intriguing attractions and gorgeous market towns.
The Edwardian Harpsden Hall comes with fantastic living spaces. The kitchen diner is beautiful in white and anthracite grey. It boasts a range cooker, other outstanding appliances including a wine fridge and a sociable island with stools so that the chefs in your group can have company. Just off the kitchen is a smart utilty room with a giant American style fridge freezer and a butler’s sink. The Orangery dining area is wonderful with a gorgeous table and chairs perfectly positioned to enjoy exquisite garden views. Double doors open the garden and a huge roof light sits above the table. With another complete wall of windows, this is a very and airy space. Underfloor heating will keep you warm all year round. The living area is also very special with a wooden floor as opposed to the beautiful tiles in the kitchen diner. Sumptuous contemporary chairs sit by the wood burning stove which lights up the Edwardian splendour of the room and a lavish Chesterfield styled sofa sits at the other end. In addition to this very spacious room there is a snug, a perfect spot to nestle down with a toasty fire on chilly evenings and watch a movie. A table football game is provided for some family competition.
The five bedrooms in the main house are located on the upper floor, four offering kingsize beds and the last enjoying twin beds. You will dive into deep slumber in crisp linens and wake to beautiful views of the extensive gardens. Like the living spaces, there is a lot of brilliant white and grey going on along with a few blue or pink colour splashes. The soft furnishings are exquisite. The ensuite bathrooms are equally stunning, mostly marbled and all with the very best fittings. You will find a mix of slipper baths where you can enjoy an indulgent soak and showers.
The beautiful Woodpecker studio offers a super kingsize bedroom with its own bathroom and living space. Here there is a sofa bed which can also be used for extra guests. Similarly, the Oak annexe boasts a sofa bed, a kingsize bed and two twin beds as well as a kitchen, lounge and bathroom. Interior designers have created magical spaces in both annexes that fit well with the main house.
Harpsden Hall is a brilliant pick for large family groups or groups of friends that want to explore this fabulous area and make magical holiday memories. You can even bring your pets along for the stay. The house sits in stunning landscaped gardens and a private one and a half acres of woodland, affectionately known as the Dinosaur Wood to locals. The woodland is also enjoyed by many woodland birds and deer so you will wake to the sound of birdsong. You can wander through the woodland listening to owls hooting and the wind whispering through the boughs of the oaks. Lush lawns sit ripe and ready for your furry friends to retrieve balls and join in the fun.
Harpsden Hall is located in the gorgeous Harpsden valley in the village of Harpsden. It is a wonderful area, popular with the rich and famous and labelled Oxfordshire’s ‘poshest village’ by The Telegraph. It sits just outside the gorgeous ancient market town of Henley-on-Thames. Henley-on-Thames is the international home of rowing, sitting on a picturesque stretch of the River Thames and enjoying a wonderful sprinkling of shops, restaurants and cafes. Henley is famous for its prestigious events, the Henley Royal Regatta, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival and the Festival of Music and Art. Thousands of visitors head to the town during the five day Henley Royal Regatta to watch Olympians compete in the two hundred plus races. The Thames Traditional Boat Festival first took place thirty seven years ago. It is a fun day out for the whole family with Punch and Judy puppet shows, a pop up pub, stalls offering trades and crafts from days gone by and much more. Henley enjoys beautiful riverside walks and plenty of boating opportunities. The town’s own artisan gin, Mr Hobbs Gin, stems back to 1879 when Mr Harry Hobbs, founder of Hobbs and Sons (now Hobbs of Henley) and publican of The Ship Hotel was often seen about the town with his high-spirited nature and flamboyant beard or on his punt at 11am enjoying his home-distilled gin. He held parties along the banks of the river and hired out his boasts for like-minded locals to host their own gatherings. To mark the 150th anniversary of the family business, the family started to look at local botanicals and embarked on creating their own gin in honour of the man that started it all. The town is also famous as a location used in the popular series Midsomer Murders. Fans will recognise some of the locations used such as Gabriel Machin’s butcher shop, Tudor House Antiques and the Argyll pub.
Not far away is the university city of Oxford where you can tour the hallowed halls of Britain’s oldest and most famous university and follow in the footsteps of famous poets and Prime Ministers. Several scenes from Harry Potter were filmed at various sites in the town including Oxford University’s Bodleian Library which is known to fans as Hogwarts Library. Visitors enjoy hop-on hop-off bus tours to explore the town’s architecture, its culture and its museums. The ancient Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum are all very interesting. Visitors can step back in history among the Norman ruins of Oxford Castle, wander beneath the Bridge of Sighs or simply enjoy the town’s fantastic array of eateries and bars. Oxford offers meandering waterways, lush green spaces and an outstanding shopping experience.
Thame is another very pretty, thriving market town within easy reach. It is situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, just 14 miles from Oxford. Thame boasts fascinating historical buildings, beautiful parks, a museum, a theatre, excellent shopping and a wonderful array of restaurants and bars. Thame grew from Anglo-Saxon roots to become a very characterful town with plenty of medieval buildings standing aside those from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Thame enjoys an iconic boat-shaped high street and a buzzy market place. It is also frequently used as a filming location for ‘Midsomer Murders’. Thame hosts regular markets and arts and crafts fairs in the town hall. The town’s programme of events includes their Easter Country Show, music festivals in May and July, a bustling carnival and fete in June, the Towersey Festival in August, the Horse and Country Show, a food festival and fun fair in, the Arts and Literature Festival in October and a fun-filled Christmas lights fair.
Within, very easy reach, the Cotswolds is a stunning area brimming with super attractive towns and villages including Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury and Chipping Campden. Many of the picturesque market towns are old wool towns with amazing architecture, much of which features the gorgeous honey coloured Cotswold stone. Bourton-on-the-Water, like most of the Cotswolds, lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the Venice of the Cotswolds with beautiful bridges crossing the River Windrush. Gorgeous cosy cafes line the pretty streets together with attractive houses. Stow-on-the-Wold is a delightful market town, one of the highest of the Cotswold towns, exposed on the 800 feet high Stow Hill at the crossroads with the Roman Fosse Way. The town boasts a fascinating history. At the height of the Cotswolds wool industry, it held annual fairs where as many as 20000 sheep were sold at one time. The Market Square is very attractive with its ancient cross, town stocks and an elegant array of Cotswold town houses and shops. You will find many fine antique shops, art galleries, gift and craft shops. Tetbury is another historic wool town. It is an architectural gem with many of the wool merchant’s houses remaining the same as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Parish Church of St Mary’s has one of the tallest and most elegant spires in the UK. Tetbury is popular for its independent shops including antique shops, vintage and interior shops, exclusive boutiques and the Highgrove shop. Tetbury holds many regular events including the May Day Wacky Races, the Spring Bank Holiday Woolsack Races when contestants carry 65lb woolsacks up and down the 1 in 4 hill, the August Summer Show, the September Food and Drink Festival, the October Tetbury Music Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-on. Close to Chipping Norton, you can visit Soho Farmhouse. Spread across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, it offers many attractions including fabulous eateries from Japanese grill dishes at Pen Yen to Hay Barn’s delicious wood oven pizzas, horse riding, tennis, a fantastic spa, the Soho Health Club, an indoor-outdoor pool, clay pigeon shooting, boating on the lake and lots more. Daylesford Organic Farm is also very popular with its clover-rich pastures and organic animals roaming freely. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs which are picked daily from the market garden and visit the award-winning farmshop and cafe. Beyond the farmshop is the Bamford Barn, Wellness Spa, Workshop, Cookery School and several options for indoor and outdoor dining.
Nestled within two acres of beautiful gardens, Pontardawe Country House holds a tranquil position, where guests can enjoy a truly idyllic stay. The home makes the perfect choice for families looking to explore the great outdoors being within easy reach the stunning Gower Peninsula, home to several sandy beaches, as well as the magnificent Brecon Beacons. While guests will feel a long way from any hustle and bustle, the home is conveniently located just five minutes from the town of Pontardawe, where a variety of helpful amenities, including shops and restaurants, can be found.
Pontardawe Country House dates back as far as the early 1400s and is just bursting with charm and character features, such as the exposed 15th century stone walls by the pool. The home has been lovingly updated throughout the years to provide a comfortable holiday home with all the modern amenities you could possibly need. Ideal for family get-togethers or special occasions, then ground floor is home to the impressive entertaining space which offers room for the whole group to socialise and comprises of an elegant drawing room, oak paneled library, dining room and fully-equipped kitchen which comes complete with an Aga and all the tools you could possibly need to create delicious meals. Sleeping up to eighteen guests, the nine beautifully-appointed bedrooms are situated across the first and second floors, four feature private en-suite bathrooms while the remaining five share the use of two family bathrooms.
Outside, the large grounds offer endless opportunity for exploring, lawn games and yummy picnics while the tennis court is the perfect spot to enjoy some healthy competition! Regardless of the weather, guests can enjoy views of the pond garden, folly, and neoclassical statues from the comfort of the fabulous indoor heated swimming pool.
Pontardawe Country House is located less than a 10-minute drive from the town of Pontardawe, where a selection of helpful supermarkets and restaurants can be found. A wider selection of amenities can be found in Swansea, just a 20-minute drive away. The closest beaches, Aberavon and Port Talbot, are sandy, family-friendly and less than a 30-minute drive away.
There is plenty for the whole family to see, do and explore in the surrounding area. Those wanting to make the most of the great outdoors will enjoy visits to atmospheric Aberdulais which is home to a dramatic waterfall and Europe’s largest water wheel, less than 15-minutes away. Slightly further afield in the Brecon Beacons, keen walkers will enjoy the scenic views from the top of Pen y Fan, just under an hour away from home. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, with its magical caves, dinosaur park and shire horse centre, is an absolute must-visit and less than a 30-minute drive away. For history enthusiasts, the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Castle, Carreg Cennen Castle, Dinefwr Castle and the Big Pit National Coal Museum are all within an hours drive of the house.
Sitting in the quaint village of Highmoor, in Oxfordshire’s glorious Chiltern Hills, Holly Grove House is a fantastic new property with six generous bedrooms, fabulous living spaces and a hot tub in the garden!
Highmoor is a charming village with an inviting pub surrounded by natural countryside. The village is just four miles west of the 13th century market town of Henley-on-Thames, famous for its regatta. Henley sits on a picturesque stretch of the river full of delightful unique shops, atmospheric pubs and wonderful eateries. The Henley Royal Regatta is the most famous in the world and a highlight on the sporting calendar. Featured in Midsomer Murders, the town is one of the most beautiful in England. Henley now even has its own special gin, Mr Hobbs Gin. Guests staying at Holly Grove House also enjoy very easy access to Oxford, Thame, Bicester Village and the Cotswolds Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chiltern Hills is another area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ready of exploration and offering the pure natural beauty of rolling English countryside and tranquility. You will discover tucked away villages, chalk-fed streams, ancient woods, superb scenery, intriguing attractions and gorgeous market towns.
Holly Grove House is excellent for groups of friends or a large multi-generational family. If you care to use the sofabed in the main living room, the house can sleep up to fourteen guests. The house is located in the heart of the picturesque countryside surrounded by lush woodland and fields. Being detached, guests enjoy complete privacy and seclusion. Holly Grove House enjoys a large fenced garden which offers a hot tub, alfresco dining and lounging and a large lawn, perfect for children to play in.
This modern home boasts two living areas, one a formal lounge with comfy furnishings and a feature fireplace with a log burning stove and the other with a gorgeous corner sofa and Smart television. The main living room is very generous in size and very sophisticated with its decor. A delightful patterned wallpaper sits above the dado rail and gorgeous sofas and chairs sit in front of the fire. It is more traditional in styling than modern with some interesting artworks and huge mirrors. One of the sofas is a sofabed which you are welcome to use as extra sleeping space. The second living space is actually also very generous in size, boasting a luxurious corner sofa and direct access to the patio where you can indulge yourselves in a pampering session in the hot tub. The kitchen and dining area is open plan in design. It is an extremely sociable space where guests can easily keep the chefs in your group company. The appliances are exceptional and include an American style fridge freezer, a double oven and an induction hob. There is a separate utility room with a microwave, more storage and laundry facilities. The huge dining table and chairs sit in front of the bi-fold doors enjoying lovely countryside and garden views. You can open the doors to enjoy a soft summer breeze or dine alfresco on the patio. In addition, the ground floor is home to one of the bedrooms, a sizeable one with a comfy super kingsize bed and a sofa. It also boasts a large bay window drowning the room in natural light.
Upstairs you will discover five more bedrooms, three offering super kingsize beds, one with a kingsize bed and two with twin beds. Like the downstairs bedroom, the beds are super comfy and beautifully dressed. The bedrooms enjoy gorgeous views of the rolling Oxfordshire countryside and two boast ensuite bathrooms. There is another family bathroom and a separate toilet. Two also offer Smart televisions.
Outside there is a huge parking space and a lovely lawned garden. You can connect your Bluetooth device to the built in speakers and laze away in the hot tub listening to your favourite soundtracks while children play on the lawn. Just make sure you grab a chilled bottle of wine or fizz before you get in! Once you are fully relaxed, the village enjoys independant shops and a fantastic pub.
Holly Grove House is located on the outskirts of the village of Highmoor. Surrounded by heavenly countryside, it is an idyllic spot where you can quickly enjoy the charms of Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Reading, Oxford, the Chiltern Hills and the Cotswolds.
Henley-on-Thames is the international home of rowing, sitting on a beautiful stretch of the River Thames and enjoying a picturesque sprinkling of shops, restaurants and cafes along its streets. It is a very stylish town that becomes packed during the Henley Royal Regatta, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival and the Festival of Music and Art. Thousands of people flock to the town during the five day regatta to be entertained by the 200 plus races with Olympians participating. The Thames Traditional Boat Festival was first held 37 years ago. It is a fun day out for the whole family with Punch and Judy, a pop up pub, trades and crafts from days gone by and much more. The gorgeous riverside walks and boating opportunities are very much part of the town. Fans of Midsomer Murders will recognise some of the locations used in the series such as Gabriel Machin’s butcher shop, Tudor House Antiques and the Argyll pub.
Thame is a very pretty, thriving market town situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, just 14 miles from Oxford. It boasts many historical buildings, beautiful parks, a museum, a theatre, wonderful shopping and a fabulous array of restaurants and bars. Thame grew from Anglo-Saxon roots and has become a very characterful town with plenty of medieval buildings standing aside those from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Thame enjoys an iconic boat-shaped high street and a market place. It is also frequently used as a filming location for ‘Midsomer Murders’. Thame hosts regular markets and arts and crafts fairs in the town hall. The town’s programme of events includes their Easter Country Show, music festivals in May and July, a bustling carnival and fete in June, the Towersey Festival in August, the Horse and Country Show, a food festival and fun fair in, the Arts and Literature Festival in October and a fun-filled Christmas lights fair. There are some wonderful trails in and around the town.
Oxford offers a trip into the brains of the nation. You can tour the hallowed halls of Britain’s oldest and most famous university and follow in the footsteps of famous poets and Prime Ministers. Several scenes from Harry Potter were filmed at various sites in the town including Oxford University’s Bodleian Library which is known to fans as Hogwarts Library. You can take a fun hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore the town, its culture, museums and fabulous architecture. You can delve into the past at the ancient Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum. You can step back in history among the Norman ruins of Oxford Castle, wander beneath the Bridge of Sighs or simply enjoy its fantastic array of restaurants and bars. It offers meandering waterways, lush green spaces and an outstanding shopping experience.
Fashion lovers and bargain hunters might want to head to Bicester Village, an impressive designer shopping outlet selling big name brands such as Ralph Lauren, Nike, UGG, Coach, Soho Home, Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and many more.
If you have time, you can also head into the Cotswolds to visit some wonderful towns and villages including Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury and Chipping Campden. Many of the attractive market towns are old wool towns with amazing architecture, much of which features the gorgeous honey coloured Cotswold stone. Bourton-on-the-Water, like most of the Cotswolds, lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the Venice of the Cotswolds with beautiful bridges crossing the River Windrush. Gorgeous cosy cafes line the pretty streets together with attractive houses. Stow-on-the-Wold is a delightful market town, one of the highest of the Cotswold towns, exposed on the 800 feet high Stow Hill at the crossroads with the Roman Fosse Way. The town boasts a fascinating history. At the height of the Cotswolds wool industry, it held annual fairs where as many as 20000 sheep were sold at one time. The Market Square is very attractive with its ancient cross, town stocks and an elegant array of Cotswold town houses and shops. You will find many fine antique shops, art galleries, gift and craft shops. Tetbury is another historic wool town. It is an architectural gem with many of the wool merchant’s houses remaining the same as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Parish Church of St Mary’s has one of the tallest and most elegant spires in the UK. Tetbury is popular for its independent shops including antique shops, vintage and interior shops, exclusive boutiques and the Highgrove shop. Tetbury holds many regular events including the May Day Wacky Races, the Spring Bank Holiday Woolsack Races when contestants carry 65lb woolsacks up and down the 1 in 4 hill, the August Summer Show, the September Food and Drink Festival, the October Tetbury Music Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-on. Close to Chipping Norton, you can visit Soho Farmhouse. Spread across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, it offers many attractions including fabulous eateries from Japanese grill dishes at Pen Yen to Hay Barn’s delicious wood oven pizzas, horse riding, tennis, a fantastic spa, the Soho Health Club, an indoor-outdoor pool, clay pigeon shooting, boating on the lake and lots more. Close to this is the famous Diddly Squat Farm Shop which was opened in 2020 by Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan, a small barn with delicious foods and a full bar with cool draft beers, lagers, ciders and rose. Everything is produced on Diddly Squat Farm or by neighbours in the Cotswolds. It is just a few minutes from the house. Daylesford Organic Farm is also very popular, the iconic flagship Daylesford Organic location surrounded by clover-rich pastures where organic animals roam freely. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs which are picked daily from the market garden and visit the award-winning farmshop and cafe. Beyond the farmshop is the Bamford Barn, Wellness Spa, Workshop, Cookery School and several options for indoor and outdoor dining.
Enjoying a fascinating history and standing in splendour, the luxurious Scottish retreat Yew House sits in 450 acres of gardens on the edge of the charming village of Kippen in Stirlingshire. It boasts seven lavish bedroom suites, sensational living spaces, a high-end kitchen, a games room, a glorious Victorian walled garden with alfresco dining and an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub and a fabulous air of sophistication and grandeur. Now owned by the third baronet of Rossie, Sir James Hutchison, the house has been occupied by his family for over one hundred years. Sir James’ maternal great-grandfather, Archibald Colville ran the largest steel works in Scotland, David Colville & Sons. It is understood that during the 1920’s his wife was said to be the first person to host ‘cocktail parties’ in Scotland with Fortnum & Mason commissioned to entertain the guests in lavish style. The Fortnum & Mason carriage would be sent on the overnight train from London to Scotland where on arrival at Stirling Station, the horse drawn carriage would head to the house for the evening’s glamorous entertainment. The original Georgian House stands in the grounds of an old monastic sanctuary said to be linked to Inchmahome Priory on the island of Inchmahome in the nearby Lake of Menteith. The giant yew tree next to the house was planted by the Augustinian Canons that lived there nearly eight hundred years ago. The tree in listed in John Lowe’s 1897 book ‘The Yew Trees of Great Britain and Ireland.
Kippen is an enchanting village in West Stirlingshire which lies between the Gargunnock Hills and the Fintry Hills, overlooking the Carse of Forth. The village is nine miles west of Stirling, twenty miles north of Glasgow and only forty five minutes from Edinburgh airport. Yew House is a fifteen minute walk from the centre of the village where guests can enjoy two cosy, atmospheric pubs and restaurants, a local shop, a butcher and a lovely delicatessen. Though you may like to stay put in this characterful home and its phenomenal grounds, there are plenty of attractions close by including the Blair Drummond Safari Park, Inchmahome Priory and the Lake of Menteith, Doune Ponds, Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling Golf Club, Doune and Sterling Castles, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Golfers may also want to fit in a round of golf at Gleneagles. The beauty of Yew House is that it is totally private and perfect for a special occasion yet everything is on the doorstep.
Yew House enjoys elegant, period decor. You feel so special when you arrive and tour the house. The living spaces are beautifully finished and you will realise immediately that you will make magical holiday memories in this exquisite home. The magnificent drawing room boasts plush velvet sofas and chairs, lavish rugs, vintage furniture and a truly fabulous feature fireplace. It is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks or a late night glass of whisky by the fire. Lavish drapes fall by the beautiful, enormous sash windows that drown this fabulous room in natural light and offer spectacular garden views. A wonderful chandelier drops from the intricate ceiling rose. The library is another wonder in deep red tones with sumptuous sofas surrounded by leather-bound books. You may want to disappear with the Sunday newspapers and a cup of tea to this characterful room. You will dine in style in the Victorian dining room which comfortably seats all of the guests in your party. It offers an ambience of bygone splendour. With a wall of rich wooden cabinetry, vintage rugs, warm decor, a feature fireplace, gorgeous period features and another set of enormous sash windows, the room is absolutely perfect for a celebration feast. The kitchen is sensational, a superb, sociable space with exquisite cabinetry, a central island with stools, a butler’s sink, an aga, an induction hob, a double oven, an American styled fridge freezer, wine coolers and a Nespresso coffee machine. The chefs in your group will be in awe of this magnificent space and its top notch appliances. It even enjoys an adjoining scullery. If you have some emails you need to catch up on, the ground floor is also home to an office as well as a delightful garden room and a handy cloakroom.
The games room is in the basement, a fun space with a table tennis table, darts and board games. It is ideal for some healthy competition and a likely den if you have teenagers with you.
Five sumptuous bedroom suites, including the glorious master, are located on the first floor and a further two on the second. Every room enjoys its own style and character. You will discover bold painted panels, delicate wallpapers, vintage furniture, opulent soft furnishings and the comfiest of beds. There are two rooms with kingsize beds, two with doubles, one with twins and two with flexible sleeping so you can choose if you have twins or large doubles. The master enjoys access to a balcony which offers far-reaching views of the garden. Though the house may be ancient, the bathrooms are luxurious and immaculate. They offer a mixture of gorgeous slipper baths, contemporary walk-in showers and beautiful tiling.
The grounds of Yew House are simply astonishing. Brimming with ancient, towering trees, meadows, a stream, lush lawns, topiary and mature borders, you can wander for hours enjoying its beauty. The Victorian Walled Garden is stunning and now the home of a new outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining area, hot tub and shower. Just imagine, popping a few champagne corks and lazing in the nine seater hot tub with beautiful gardens all around! The outdoor kitchen comes with a gas barbecue, perfect for the barbecue masters in your holiday group to cook a feast. There are some delightful games for family fun including croquet, boules and swingball.
Yew House offers privacy and luxury in equal measures. It is captivating, luxurious and supremely comfortable. You will feel a little as though you have stepped back in time! There is something for everyone both at the house and close by. Horse riding, watersports, fishing, hiking, visiting historical sites, mountain biking, cycling, hunting, archery, shopping and gourmet dining can all easily be on the agenda.
Yew House is nestled in a 450 acre estate surrounded by nature. It sits on the edge of the pretty village of Kippen which offers two wonderful pubs and a few shops which are within walking distance of the house.
The historic city of Stirling is nearby on the River Forth, surrounded by rich farmland. Once the capital of Scotland, the city is dominated by Stirling Castle, a fabulous visitor attraction. The castle boasts a Royal Palace, the Chapel Royal, the Regimental Museum and lots for young ones. From its dramatic rocky eyre, the fortress definitely rewards your stroll along Stirling’s cobbled main street with spectacular views over the stunning Stirlingshire countryside. Stirling is home to some of Scotland’s most epic events which you will learn about when visiting its historic attractions. Stirling’s famous landmark, The National Wallace Monument overlooks the scene of Sir William Wallace’s greatest victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The Old Town Jail tells the tale of crime and punishment in the Royal Burgh of Stirling. Another jewel is The Church of the Holy Rude which was founded in the 12th century. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is wonderful. Surrounded by portraits of Bonnie Prince Charlie, William Wallace and others, you will discover some astonishing artefacts such as the oldest football from 1540 and the oldest curling stone from 1511.
Those that love outdoor activities can enjoy horse-back riding at Castle Rednock, mountain biking, cycling, archery, kayaking and an excellent range of watersports at Go Country Adventure, Loch Ard, hiking in the local hills and fishing in the Lake of Menteith.
The Lake of Menteith is situated on the Carse of Stirling. Until the 19th century, it was known as the Loch of Menteith. There are some small islands on the lake, the largest being Inchmahome with its ancient monastery. The Earl of Menteith founded Inchmahome Priory in 1238. Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots visited and in fact, Mary Queen of Scots was hidden there for a few weeks aged four. It is an Augustinian Monastery in a truly idyllic setting. The woodlands surrounding the monastery are carpeted in wildflowers, adding to its appeal. Three of the Spanish chestnuts on the island are listed in Scotland’s top one hundred trees. Visitors can take a boat trip from the Port of Menteith from March until September each year. To return, you turn the signal post around. To the west of Lake Menteith is Flanders Moss, one of the largest remaining bogs in Scotland. The lake is very popular for fishing and the Port of Menteith Fisheries rent out boats so that you can catch rainbow and brown trout. If the lake freezes over during a harsh winter, the lake is the scene of the ‘Bonspiel’, an outdoor curling tournament.
It is very easy to combine your stay in Yew House with a trip to Edinburgh. The captivating City of Edinburgh enjoys a wealth of top attractions for the whole family, excellent shopping opportunities and sensational fine dining. With a stunning backdrop of the dramatic Arthur’s Seat, the Pentland Hills and Edinburgh’s waterfront, this ever popular city is a remarkable place to visit. You can take a cruise on the River Forth, explore the ancient castle, shop until you drop, wander through the cosmopolitan streets of the Port of Leith, listen to bagpipes and dine until you burst. At the top of the Royal Mile on the top of Castle Rock, you can visit Edinburgh Castle, the number one visitor attraction in Scotland and the most iconic building in the city. Perched on the top of an extinct volcano, the castle and its esplanade offers astonishing views of Edinburgh. Inside, you can visit St Margaret’s Chapel, The National War Memorial and the Half Moon Battery. The regal Crown Square is home to the Grand Hall and Scotland’s crown jewels. Edinburgh is especially popular during the August Festival and at Christmas and New Year. Edinburgh is home to three excellent galleries, The National Gallery on the Mound, the Portrait Gallery on Queen Street and the Gallery of Modern Art. The Scottish National Gallery boasts some of the world’s finest art by the likes of Rembrandt, Monet and Raphael. The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world, celebrating the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott. It was built in the 19th century and is one of the most striking landmarks on the Edinburgh city skyline. Visitors can climb the 287 steps to enjoy far reaching views of the city and surrounding countryside. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Some areas of the Palace are open to the public including the State Apartments, the Throne Room and the Morning Drawing Room. The Royal Botanic Gardens are located in Stockbridge, a very attractive area twenty minutes walk from the city centre. You will discover a beautiful collection of more than 100,000 plants and 70 acres of stunning green space. The Royal Yacht Britannia was Her Majesty The Queen’s floating palace for over 40 years and is one of the city’s best attractions. You can enjoy a complimentary audio tour and follow in the footsteps of royalty exploring this wonderful yacht that is permanently moored beside Ocean Terminal.
Equipped with table tennis, table football and darts as well as a huge garden with a trampoline and play area, Warbleton Oast House is a fabulous home for all the family!
The huge kitchen is the fantastic heart of the home, with beautiful colourful tiles contrasting with the sophisticated monochrome design, with a fabulous island which doubles as a breakfast bar. Adjoining this is the wonderful formal dining room with space for ten. Relax in the vast living room, with a vaulted, beamed ceiling and a fabulous original brick fireplace with a modern log-burner. Two sofas face one another, with a third facing the fireplace, ensuring there’s space for everyone to gather together and spend some quality time with one another. Large stable doors with glass panelling invite the warm glow of sunlight into every inch of the large room. There is an additional snug for getting cosy in front of the TV for a relaxing evening. But if it’s not relaxation you’re after, fear not – there’s table tennis, table football and darts for the ultimate fun and games!
There are five bedrooms in total, with four in the main house, including the master-suite, a double, a twin and a family room, and the final double room is found in the adjoining barn. The master-suite can be found on the first floor, enjoying the same delightful traditional style with wooden beams set against the pearly white walls, and Velux windows that allow the light to flood through the room. The en-suite bathroom has a bathtub and the same elegant design, inviting you to relax and soak in peace. The room in the barn has a fabulous en-suite bathroom, as does the second double in the main house, while the family and twin rooms share a family bathroom. All four bathrooms are warm and modern, with a range of double-size showers and large bathtubs.
And finally, step outside to your enchanting garden, where the kids can frolic on the large lawn, complete with a trampoline and play area! There’s a covered seating area and table here so you can keep an eye on the youngsters if needs be. There’s plenty of private parking on the gravel driveway so don’t hesitate to bring the car – you’ll appreciate it in this fabulous rural location!
A maze of rolling countryside, abbeys and battlefields, medieval villages, bustling market towns and gorgeous coastline, East Sussex is also the most forested county in England! Diverse, inspirational landscapes and breath-taking views from the endless tranquil and unspoilt settings make this an incredibly enticing county right on the south coast of England. And that’s not to mention its 90 miles of stunning beaches and vibrant towns and cities!
Less than 40 minutes away, in the fabulous, family-focused town of Eastbourne, one of England’s most genteel seaside resorts you’ll find serene boating lakes, Victorian gardens and a three-tier promenade! This is also the location of the famous sights of the dramatic Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and Beachy Head, the UK's highest chalk cliff at 531ft (160m) above sea level, offering stunning views over the English Channel.
Hidden villages and towns blitzed by bloody Norman battles, cool seaside resorts and flourishing vineyards, traditional country pubs and thriving market towns, ancient woodland and lowland heaths are all tucked among a maze of criss-crossing paths and lanes and country roads. Views of rolling farmland and historic estates in all directions add a sense of the timeless elegance of Sussex and its rich variety of wildlife and habitats among a beautifully varied geography. Idle your way through the cobbled medieval streets of Rye, the flat marshes of Pevensey, the high Ground of Ashdown Forest, beautiful lowlands and river landscapes of the Lower Weald and the maze of avenues through Friston and Ashdown Forests.
With 1,750 hours of sunshine per year, 'Sussex by the Sea' offers some of the sunniest and cleanest beaches in the UK, including the traditional English seaside town of Brighton, whose beach is renowned for its packed seafront. And then there’s Eastbourne, Bexhill-on-Sea, Hastings and St Leonard’s, to name but a few. Take a trip to Hastings old town, the shipwreck heritage centre and flamingo adventure park for the perfect day out!
There are endless fabulous homes and gardens to visit, including Great Dixter House and Garden, Michelham Priory and Sheffield Park Garden with an array of stunning colours, exotic flora, magnificent gardens, elegant lakes and even a sculpture trail! At the priory you’ll even find a medieval cloister garden and the longest medieval moat in England!
For an active day in the sunshine, stretch your legs on the South Downs Way, which traverses from Eastbourne to Winchester along England’s newest national park, the South Downs National Park, with 1,600km2 of breath-taking views and hidden gems. Indeed, if you’re a keen walker or cyclist, there’s 3500km of walking paths, bridleways and scenic roads, including the well-establish routes of the Cuckoo Trail, and the incredible Forest Way.
If traveling from far away, just outside East Sussex, Gatwick Airport services the whole world, while Brighton City Airport (often called Shoreham Airport) provides flights to many UK airports.
Offering stunning views from every room right on the water-front, Porthmadog View Cottage is a luxurious and spacious home for eight very lucky guests with a wonderful balcony over the water!
The main living quarters are delightfully open-plan, with a huge sofa and armchairs to one side, a lovely casual dining area to another, and the magnificent kitchen to the other! A large set of French doors provides a stunning view over the water and the natural landscape all around you, as well as flooding the interiors with a warm glow of light.
The kitchen is bright and modern and infinitely spacious, with a full array of fantastic facilities built-in, as well as an awesome breakfast bar for casual meals and snacks. There’s a second, more casual living area in front of a fabulous wood-burner and TV, where you can settle for a little calm relaxation. If its entertainment you’re after, head to the games room for a round of table tennis!
There are four sumptuous bedrooms in total, two doubles and two twin rooms. Each is warm, bright and cosy, with seating areas and plush furnishings. The undeniable master suite enjoys a full wall of windows overlooking the stunning river outside, as well as a large bathtub which looks out over the room and a separate walk-in rain-shower! The second double room has terrace access, so you can wake up and step straight into the sunshine as you enjoy the sun dazzling over the sea in front of you! There are four fabulous bathrooms to accompany the four bedrooms, and all are spacious, elegant and equipped with fabulous facilities.
And finally, step out onto your incredible sea-front terrace, complete with a fabulous alfresco table! Enjoy a casual drink as you admire the magnificent views across the river and the golden sands of the beach below. This beautifully remote location makes it ideal for a little star gazing by night and watching the world sail by in the day time.
Just a short walk away you’ll find the wonderful town of Porthmadog, brimming with shops, pubs and restaurants and a quaint marina. Take a ride on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Steam Railways, watch the rare and migrating sea birds along the estuaries or get in a round of golf at Porthmadog Golf Club less than 2 miles away. With the delights of Snowdonia and The Lleyn Peninsula on your doorstep, vast mountains and glistening beach alike await you!
In this region of Wales, you’ll find its first national park: the Snowdonia National Park. 823 square miles of towering mountains and shimmering lakes, it can be seen as far away as Porthmadog on the west coast! Snowdon itself is an icon of Wales, alongside 13 other majestic peaks over 3,000 feet high, ideal for climbing and hiking! But if you’re not as fit as you used to be, worry not – the chilly peak of Snowdon is even accessible by train, so you can enjoy the breath-taking views whatever your level!
The town of Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon, offers all sorts of quaint shops and eateries like the Llanberis Art & Craft and Coffee Pot and fascinating attractions. There are water sports, climbing and cycling activities, as well as Llanberis Lake Railway, the National Slate Museum and the Electric Mountain Visitor Centre, one of the largest Hydro-Electric power stations inside a mountain!
Wales is a small, mountainous peninsula to the west of England with just over 3 million people (less than a third of London!), yet more than 400 castles and three expansive national parks! With over 15 million visitors a year, there’s got to be something special that brings visitors back time after time!
Could it be the breath-taking scenery? The dazzling gardens? The easy-going and welcoming folk? Or even the heritage railways that never cease to pique one’s interest?
Our personal favourites are the three national parks: the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Snowdonia National Park and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Whether you’re into hill-walking, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, kayaking or climbing, or the rather more adventurous surfing, hang-gliding or even a go on the only four-person zip line in Europe, you’ll find your perfect spot amid the extraordinary natural landscapes of Wales’ most treasured parks.
With water to the north, south and east, Wales has rather more than its fair share of dramatic coastline, making for not only incredible scenery but also a superb beach holiday destination! The Pembrokeshire Peninsula which looks out over the Irish Sea promises rugged and steep limestone cliffs best enjoyed from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail. Along the way, you will find enchanting villages, picturesque resort areas, idyllic fishing harbours, winding estuaries, and incredible, wide-open beaches
The Wales Coast Path traces the country's entire length, taking in perfect sandcastle-beaches and striking mountain passes weaving through the wilderness. The immense geological diversity can be enjoyed along with the extensive network of paths, while for some jaw-dropping architectural beauty, Caernarfon Castle and Caerphilly Castle are just two of the many sublime castles. While the utterly cosmopolitan Cardiff is brimming with splendid castles, arcades, and historical buildings, making it the perfect base for exploring the rest of the country!
Only two hours from London, getting into Wales is easy! Cardiff Airport, or one of the London airports when visiting South Wales. Other cities served by international airports in England which offer reasonable access to parts of Wales include Bristol (for south Wales), Birmingham (for mid-Wales), Liverpool and Manchester (for north Wales). Along the coastlines the roads are excellent, and there is an extensive train service throughout the country.
Swarland, Northumberland, North of England
From £2290
Availability
Barnston Lodge is spacious with high vaulted ceilings and a full glass pannel fronted property which allows in maximum sunlight and gives unobstructed views of the tranquil woodland.
The lodge has open plan kitchen and living room , a breakfast bar which seats 6 and a modern kitchen fitted with all appliances .
bedrooms are spacious with fitted wardrobes and big windows .
The outdoor private patio area gets the sun all day and has a 6 seater waterfall hot tub with blue tooth speakers . A stone BBQ , and out door sofa and dinning area .
We also an outdoor shower , which guests seem to love .
There is ample parking for 2 cars
Exclusive Guests of barnston lodge have access for 4 free passes to the on site 18 hole golf course and Alnwick leisure centers indoor swimming pool and spa . ( just ask at reception for pass )
We are a pet friendly Lodge .
The lodge has a smart TV . . A over bath shower bath in a large family bathroom.
We recommend the countryside pub the Cook and Barker , it’s a 5 min drive and has a cozy fire and great pub food with traditional ales .
Percy wood has a tennis court and children’s play area and an outdoor bar. The location is perfect for exploring the Northumberland award winnning beaches castles and quaint fishing villages .
Located in Morpeth, this lodge is in a rural area. Alnwick Playhouse and Bailiffgate Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre and Macdonald Linden Hall Golf Course. Eshott Heugh Animal Park and Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden are also worth visiting. Practice your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as hiking in the area.
Kilkhampton, Cornwall, South West of England
From £742
Availability
Our spacious and contemporary log cabins have been a true labour of love. Designed by us specifically to suit families, couples and groups of friends, our three log cabins have a modern Scandinavian feel with open plan living areas incorporating a comfortable seating area, dining table and well-equipped kitchen.
The toasty log burner ensures a warm and welcoming atmosphere as you walk in the door and the generous bedrooms have super-comfy beds to help you get a fantastic night sleep after a long day exploring the nearby beaches and coastline. Professionally laundered bedding provides that extra touch of luxury and WiFi is free of charge and reliable through the property so you won't miss anything while you're away!
A short 5 minute drive will take you to the sandy beaches of the North Cornwall coastline, however there's no need to go anywhere to experience beautiful views of the stunning Cornish countryside. The log cabin is situated in a gated courtyard with outdoor seating, BBQs and fabulous views to enjoy. A small area of field is also available for outdoor games so you won't be lost for things to do if you fancy spending a day close to home!
If you like to eat in, the kitchen is fully equipped with oven, electric hob and dishwasher so there's no need to argue over who's doing the washing up! For those treat nights where you want to eat out, there is an abundance of local restaurants including great pub food, Chinese, Indian, Italian and many seafood eateries taking advantage of our proximity to the Atlantic ocean. Local takeaways include fish and chips, pizza and Chinese. Local supermarkets within 5 minutes include Co-Op and Spar, with Morrisons and Lidl just 10 minutes away.
Local beaches, surfing, golf course, tennis, mini golf, horse-riding and fishing will help you to create lots of memories to take home with you and there is a fantastic choice of activities for kids such as soft play for the younger ones and even a nearby theme park for the kids to look forward to! Tamar Lakes is approximately 1 mile away and offers water sports and enjoyable walks. For a more laid back holiday, meandering along the South West coast path or visiting beautiful country houses and National Trust sites at any time of the year will provide a truly relaxing break. When you're ready to put your feet up, our generous sofas will help you wind down and either take advantage of the TV and DVD player or play a good old fashioned board game!
Parking is free on site, just let us know if you plan to bring more than one car.
Bed linen, towels and cleaning are all provided at no extra charge.
Located in Bude, this cabin is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and North Devon Coast, while The Castle Bude and Shipwreck Museum are cultural highlights. Traveling with kids? Consider Harlequinns Leisure, or check out an event or a game at Red Elk Archery. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
