cottages4you blog: inspiration for your cottage or villa holiday in UK, Ireland and Europe

The saying ‘an Englishman’s home is his castle’ has never been more appropriate then when being used to describe some of the more regal holiday properties we feature at cottages4you. From stately homes surrounding by acres of rolling greenery to fortified fortresses in the Scottish highlands, a castle holiday in the UK offers enough beauty, peace and heritage to make anyone feel like a member of the aristocracy. In fact castle breaks are so much fun that the only problem an Englishman (or anyone else) will have is thinking of a new phrase to describe their homes.

Below we look at some of the castles featured on cottages4you. Please click on the property pics to look at their listings on cottages4you.com.

Kinlochmoidart House, Nr. Lochailort, Inverness-shire

Property REF: SEQ

Designed by William Leiper in 1884, Kinlochmoidart House is one of the finest examples of his work. It features a superb Art Movement interior – tilings, wallpapers, paint work, panelling and many other intricate architectural features have been painstakingly restored and represented, under strict architectural guidance, to return it to its former splendour. It occupies the site of a house which was once the resting place of Prince Charles Edward Stuart during the 1745 Jacobite Revolution, so not only are you getting a splendid property to stay in, you’re also going to receive one of the world’s most fun history lessons.

Glentruim Castle  in  Newtonmore, nr. Aviemore, Inverness-shire

Property REF: SNNN

With glorious views over the nearby glens and a magnificent mountain backdrop, Glentruim Estate occupies a peaceful setting overlooking the valley of the River Spey near Newtonmore. The 53 acres of unspoilt garden and grounds offer a superb diversity of woodlands with mature trees, a mass of azaleas and colourful rhododendrons. Built around 1840 by Major Euan MacPherson, Glentruim Castle (SNNN) is ideal for larger groups, offering spacious rooms with great attention to style and detail, yet still retaining many of its original features.

Tay View  in  St Madoes, Perth

Property REF: S49

These very attractive ground and first floor holiday apartments are set within a magnificent Grade A listed baronial castle, designed by Robert Adam and built in 1784. Elegantly furnished, Tower View has a very spacious drawing room with a marble fireplace and tiny turret room leading off. Tay View boasts wonderful feature windows throughout with walnut and oak shutters, a unique tower bathroom and like Tower View has a drawing room that overlooks the River Tay.

Pavilion Lodge  in  Duns

Property REF: SDC

Superbly set in the 1,200-acre Estate surrounding magnificent Duns Castle, and just half an hour’s drive from sandy beaches, these properties are perfectly positioned to make the most of a holiday in Scotland’s Border country. Sympathetically renovated to provide warm and comfortable accommodation, they enjoy access to the extensive grounds, which include glorious woodland, hill vistas, a nature reserve and a splendid lake. At the hub of the Estate, Duns Castle is the owner’s home; a fine Gothic Revival building where visitors can enjoy dinner in the castle dining room by arrangement.

Leiper House  in  Nr. Lochailort, Inverness-shire

Property REF: SCD

Where a tree-lined glen opens out onto Loch Moidart and in countryside steeped with tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie, these fine properties stand upon the Kinlochmoidart Estate, within half a mile of the coast and 4 miles from the beach at Glenuig. The Scottish Baronial mansion of Kinlochmoidart House, occupies a marvellous position amidst some of Scotland’s most magnificent West Country scenery. It has been sensitively formed into three residences; two are careful conversions of an extensive service wing, while the main house (part of which is still the owners’ home) is a substantial property laid out over three floors and forming the middle portion of the building.

Glen View  in  Fort Augustus, Inverness-shire

Property REF: SJJW

This lovely holiday apartment is situated within the former St Benedict’s Abbey, one of the finest old buildings in the north of Scotland. Converted to a high standard, it retains many original features including the magnificent rose window. Set within 20 acres of mature grounds and surrounded on three sides by water, the abbey is located at the southern tip of Loch Ness, on the edge of the lovely village of Fort Augustus. A superb base for touring, with trips on Loch Ness or walking and biking on the Great Glen Way. Only 40 minutes’ drive from Inverness and within easy reach of the Isle of Skye and the western Highlands.

The Follies – The Old Folly  in  Hunmanby, nr. Filey, N. Yorks

Property REF: IJQ

Originally built in 1825 as a ruin, this unique Grade II listed building has been sympathetically transformed into two lovely, detached gatehouses yet retaining all the visual appearances of a ruin. Built in stone from Filey Brigg, The Follies are set in 1½ acres of natural and unspoilt grounds and visitors are welcome to wander through them, where there is an abundance of wildlife including, rabbits, owls and squirrels.
Centrally located for exploring the North Yorkshire Coast, North Yorkshire moors and wolds, the historic town of Filey is only 3 miles distant, with its wide sandy beach and all the attractions of a popular seaside resort. Scarborough and Bridlington are both easily accessible, as is the beautiful city of York.

Craster Tower-The Penthouse Apartment  in  Craster, Northumberland

Property REF: MTU

This elegant and spacious holiday apartment occupies the entire top floor of historic Craster Tower, a superbly preserved Grade II* country house dating from the 15th century, built around a 14th-century pele tower. Set above part of the owners’ home but with a separate entrance, this magnificent penthouse was refurbished in 2008 and has a Visit Britain 5 Star gold award. There are views from all sides of delightful gardens and countryside. The picturesque village of Craster is a short walk down a footpath through woods and fields or two minutes in the car.

Posted by Ben Webster, cottages4you.

One of the best things about Spring, aside from better weather, more daylight and the fact that everything starts to look prettier, is that you also get more bank holidays than any other time of the year. No sooner are we back from Easter breaks then we have another two bank holidays to look forward to in May.

If you want to start planning your holidays then you might like to know that short breaks are now available for May Spring Bank holiday 2010. We’re still a few weeks away but you’ll already find some great savings on properties listed with cottages4you.

Click here to search UK cottages for 7 nights for 4 people starting Saturday 29 May

Click here to search UK cottages for 3 nights for 4 people starting Friday 28 May

Click here to search UK cottages for 2 nights for 4 people starting Saturday 29 May

Click here to search UK cottages for 4 nights for 4 people starting Monday 31 May

Click here to visit the advanced search page on cottages4you and tailor your search.

We like to make sure that every member of a family can find their perfect holiday cottage, and not just those with 2 legs. Steve, our new canine customer care representative, uses his wealth of knowledge to advise where best to take your four-legged friends on a break. But what makes Steve qualified to offer such advice? Well he has extensive customer call centre experience, a lovely telephone manner and the ability to listen to his customer’s needs straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.

Please read the following press release for more info:

Barking Breaks

cottages4you first company in UK to hire canine customer care advisor

Leading holiday cottages company, cottages4you, today showed off its latest customer care representative – Steve the border collie!

The highly trained canine has been employed by the company, which has thousands of pet friendly properties across the UK, to help pampered pooches find the perfect holiday pad for themselves and their owners.

An avid traveller himself, he’ll offer the ultimate woof guide on the best places to go for walkies, relaxation or which have pubs providing bones with the beer.

Nick Rudge, director, said:  “With so many pet friendly properties, we wanted to ensure pooches find their perfect place.  To date, we are seeing some very interesting trends with Alsatians preferring to holiday in Devon, Terriers in the Lake District and Labradors choosing the Cotswolds.”

ENDS

It’s an approach that seems to be working, since Steve has been taking canine calls we haven’t had one customer complaint. At least that’s what he tells us. Unfortunately all the attention seems to be going to Steve’s head: he’s started to visit the office pot plants instead of the loos, thinks it’s OK to inappropriately scratch himself in the call centre and doesn’t wash his food bowl up after lunch. And with all the attention he’s receiving we’re not sure he’s still going to be here tomorrow!