Kettlewell’s Scarecrow Festival – 9th to 17th August 2008

July 25, 2008

A Scarecrow Wedding

Kettlewell is a delightful village set in the Yorkshire Dales.  Every year the villagers prepare 100s of scarecrows in various guises and locations and encourage visitors to walk the “Scarecrow Trail”, spotting scarecrows and solving associated clues which are centred round a different theme each year.

Nick Smith experienced the magic of the Scarecrows in a visit to Kettlewell…

I wanted to share our fun day out at the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival which we experienced on a short break in the Yorkshire Dales. Nearly every property in this quaint Yorkshire village contributes to the festival, and the fun is in discovering another house or backstreet with yet another imaginative scene outside it.
 

Cruella de Scarecrow

From children’s favourites, such as Bob the Builder to more topical scenes and different scenario’s (such as the scarecrow wedding at the local church!) there are hundreds of these to find. A little competition (either an adult of children’s version) made it feel we were on a mini treasure hunt our own.

It was truely amazing how vivid some people’s imagination can be!


Whitby Regatta & Carnival – 2 Aug 2008 – 4 Aug 2008

July 23, 2008

Whitby, North Yorkshire

Features rowing competitions, funfair, fireworks and Royal Air Force and Navy displays.

Take in the sea air from a cottage near the coast. A cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore Whitby and the North Yorkshire Coast as well as to enjoy many events throughout the UK and Europe – search today at cottages4you.


Will your passport get you abroad this Summer?

July 23, 2008
Is your passport up to date for your cottage or villa holiday?

Is your passport up to date for your cottage or villa holiday?

Planning on heading overseas in the next few days/weeks for the school holidays?  Need to renew your passport?  Well it seems trouble might be in the offing for those who’ve left it till the last minute to renew their passport.

The Passport Office’s usual service, which provides holidaymakers the opportunity to obtain a new passport within 1 day for an additional charge will be stopped during a three day strike over office closures and issues with pay at the London passport offices.  Normal passport applications will also be halted during this period, meaning that many holiday makers may face the possibility of missing that flight and having to stay at home for the holidays.

The Public and Commercial Services Union has also indicated that the strike will affect the seven regional passport offices (London, Belfast, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newport, Durham and Peterborough) and sixty-eight interview offices throughout the UK.

Has the strike affected you?  Leave a comment.


Red Bull Air Race: London 2008 – 2 Aug 2008 – 3 Aug 2008

July 23, 2008

London

Part of an international series of races, established in 2003 and organised by Red Bull.

www.airrace.org

Get the adrenaline pumping watching the best of the best in acrobatic flying as they go head to head. Make it into a longer break. Don’t forget – a cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore UK and Europe – search today at cottages4you.


National Eisteddfod of Wales – 2 Aug 2008 – 9 Aug 2008

July 23, 2008

Pentrehobin Estate, Mold, Flintshire, Wales

Largest and oldest celebration of Welsh culture, which can be traced back to 1176.

www.eisteddfod.org.uk

Don’t forget – a cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore Wales and the beautiful Welsh – search today at cottages4you.


Self catering or self constructing ?

July 22, 2008

In a previous post we reported on some holidaymakers shooting and eating the ducks from the pond at their holiday cottage.
Less dramatic but at least as remarkable, we seem to have customers that are willing to invest their own time and money to change their holiday accommodation to their taste.

Not even if you don't like the colour...Customer Services reporting….

“A family was not happy with the colour of the kitchen in their hired cottage and decided to repaint it…”
We don’t know if the cottage owner was too happy about this.

“A woman who hired a cottage to give birth close to her family didn’t like the bathroom and she decided to spent thousands on refurbishing it.”
In this particular case the cottage owner was quite happy afterwards.

We can imagine that a holiday property may not be 100% to your liking but we recommend to discuss with us and the owner first before you consider using your paintbrush or sledge hammer….


Bristol Harbour Festival – 1 Aug 2008 – 3 Aug 2008

July 22, 2008

Venue: Bristol Harbourside, Bristol

The south west’s biggest, free, family-orientated festival, celebrating Bristol’s maritime heritage.

www.bristol-city.gov.uk

Don’t forget – a cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore Bristol and the Gloucestershire area as well as to enjoy many events throughout the UK and Europe – search today at cottages4you.


Nottingham Riverside Festival – 1 Aug 2008 – 3 Aug 2008

July 22, 2008

Victoria Embankment, Nottingham

Festivals Variety of festivities held on the banks of the River Trent.

Click here for more information

Don’t forget – a cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore Nottingham and enjoy many events throughout the UK and Europe – search today at cottages4you.


‘Old School’ Holidays

July 21, 2008

Head Back to School in the Summer Holidays !

Maths, physics, literature and geography…This summer return to school in the school holidays, without a blackboard, pencil case or gym kit in sight! We have a selection of beautifully converted schools throughout the UK, perfect for some old school nostalgia with or without the kids.

Whether it’s a renovated boys school or a 19th century school house, a number of the 9,000 holiday cottages to rent through cottages4you throughout the UK are brimming with character, ideal for couples or a large family and their pet pooch!

Choose from one of these fantastic school conversions over the summer holidays with cottages4you.

Old School House Cottage – Hawnby, North Yorkshire Moorsold-school-house-11258
Ref: 11258
Sitting in a peaceful picture postcard village, in the Valley of the River Rye, this detached stone school house, complete with Inglenook fireplace, is far from school as we remember it! Enjoy the secluded sun-trapped garden, or take a stroll amongst the beautiful surrounding North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Just 200 yards away is the local pub, and five miles away is the town of Helmsley with inns, castles and Rievaulx Abbey.
Property comprises one double bedroom and one twin bedroom.
Price: £627.50 for seven nights arriving on 23rd August, sleeps four.
Details and booking; click here !

old-school-cottage-23775Old School Cottage – Billingford, Norfolk
Ref: 23775
This character cottage, dating back to 1875, boasts many classic features such as beamed and sloping ceilings, with plenty of space for all the family. Ideally located for visiting sandy beaches, the Norfolk Broads and the city of Norwich, this old school cottage is perfect for a British summer break. Village shop just one mile away.
Property comprises one double bedroom, one twin bedroom and one bunk bedroom.
Price: £616.50 staying for seven nights arriving on 23rd August, sleeps six plus one pet.
Details and booking; click here !

The Old Boys School – Carrshield, Nr Hexhamold-boys-school-mnm
Ref: MNM
Situated in the heart of the North Pennines and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this converted wing of a former Victorian school is set in a glorious hamlet, brimming with character. The area boasts the lowest light pollution in the UK, boasting incredible starry nights. This grand property is perfect for exploring the surroundings, located on the borders of Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham.
Property comprises two double bedrooms with beamed ceilings, and one bunk bedded room. There is also a beamed conservatory and large kitchen diner with multi-fuel stove.
Price: £928 staying for seven nights arriving on 23rd August, sleeps six.
Details and booking; click here !

For more information or to book one of these fabulous cottages, check www.cottages4you.co.uk


Edinburgh Art Festival – 31 Jul 2008 – 31 Aug 2008

July 21, 2008

Edinburgh

Showcases work from leading galleries and artist led-organisations, ranging from blockbuster exhibitions to grass roots, artist-led projects. All events are free and the event runs as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

www.edinburghartfestival.com

Don’t forget – a cottage can provide the perfect base from which to explore Edinburgh and enjoy many events throughout the UK and Europe – search today at cottages4you.


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