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!

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‘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

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Mapping4you!

July 14, 2008
All roads lead to Rome?

All roads lead to Rome?

Cartography (map-making) dates back to the dawn of civilisation. Some Aboriginal rock paintings dating back 50,000 show a pictorial representation of the world around at the time. In Stone age times, the first record of portable maps, depicting natural features and roads were created on earthenware or animal hide. Roads and routes were a lot simpler in those days but the age old need to convey directions from A to B remains the same.

Some parts of the UK present a vipers nest of roads and we as a nation increasingly find the routes we take harder and more complicated to navigate. The phrase “all roads do lead to Rome” may well be true, but this isn’t very encouraging when faced with the practicalities of getting to Trafford Centre when the Clockwise M60 is blocked, for instance.

In this digital age, the art of paper map reading is slowly becoming a thing of the past (for motor users at least) due to the affordability, ease of use and general handy brilliance of “SatNav”. SatNav is now fitted as standard to many new cars, or available as a cheap portable Satellite Navigation unit such a the ‘TomTom‘ and ‘Co Pilot‘ (available on many mobile phones such as the Nokia N95). These units take all the hard work and stress out of finding the elusive destination – you simply tell it your destination (e.g. post code) and the Sat Nav will chirp handy directions and show an accurate view of where you are and which route you should take.

In most cases we’ve considered the fact you may be aiming to navigate to your cottages4you holiday property with SatNav – but don’t worry if you’re not, we also provide good old fashioned “turn left at the White Lion pub..” type directions once you’re booked your property.

As well as the on board verity of maps there’s a plethora of free maps available to help you pre plan your route and get the low down on the area you’re heading to before you set off.

So if like our Stone Age ancestors your still haven’t seen the way ahead of digital vector based mapping, why not re route your next 5 minutes to navigating the destinations below… Read the rest of this entry »

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Active Holiday – Mountain Bike Skill Course

July 3, 2008

Nicola Weaver DMBIf you are looking to spend a few days of your holiday actively, are into mountainbiking and would like to take the opportunity to improve your skills, consider a mountainbiking skill course offered around the UK and across Europe.
You should be able to find biking centres and schools in the most stunning setting such as in Scotland, The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, Wales as well as the continent in beautiful spots – for example in the South of Spain where centres with English instructors are available.

On a skill course you can expect to learn either the basic or more advanced level of:

  • Bike and equipment choice
  • Bike set-up
  • Gear selection
  • Body position
  • Descending and drop-offs
  • Climbing and technical climbs
  • Line choice
  • Efficient braking
  • Balance Techniques
  • Riding Technical sections
  • Cornering
  • Wheel lift, wheelies hops, jumps
  • Night riding

Dales Mountain Biking“Preparing for my short mountainbiking break in Cornwall, I have enjoyed a skill course in the beautifull Yorkshire Dales organised by Dales Mountain Biking.”

ctcFor inspiration and more information on Mountain Bike skill courses in the UK checkout for example the CTC website or check-out one of the centres in Andalusia Spain called SeasonallyUnAdjusted offering rides and skill courses.

TIP: enjoy a mountainbiking holiday in Spain during the dark and cold UK winter!

And off course you’ll be able to chill-out in your cottage, appartment or villa after an intense day. We offer a wide range of holiday villas in Andalusia Spain on our site.

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Whatever the weather will be!

June 27, 2008

Nowhere else in the world is the weather talked about as much as it is in the British Isles. We’ve got a reputation of being the ones that ‘don’t half talk about the weather a lot’. Commenting on the weather is a quintessentially British pastime and the classic opening gambit for any human encounter. The ice breaker for any uncomfortable silence. Where would we be I wonder, if we (like so many of our foreign cousins) had ‘same old, same old’ weather patterns, day in, day out.

Some would even say our love of the weather is an obsession. Perhaps it’s more to do with the fact we’ve got one of the most changeable and unpredictable climates on the planet, perhaps it’s more to do with the essence of British culture.

Perhaps borne from this obsession, Britain has paved the way with weather forecasting. Pioneering many technologies and methodologies, often as a result of war time and aviation needs, the modern day weather forecast is the crowning glory of years of research and expertise and believe it or not, today it’s more accurate than it’s ever been.

Online weather forecasts and resources

If you’re planning a holiday in the UK, the weather is bound to be an important factor in your thoughts. At cottages4you, we’ve found the following links really helpful to us for getting the low down on our holiday destinations..

Something for the weekend?bbc radar

The BBC Weather Centre website gives you a radar image of Britain, overlaid with predicted cloud, wind and rain (or hopefully, lack of!) patterns on an hour-by-hour basis. This is ideal if it’s Friday and you’re planning a weekend away and don’t know if you should pack your sou’wester or your flip flops.

2 weeks away
Metcheck offer a day-by-day forecast on the upcoming 2 weeks. Other features on this site include the BBQ Weather Forecast, for if you are planning the illusive fair weathered British Barbecue.

It’s better than this time last year..
WeatherOnline holds records of more than 4700 stations worldwide, so even if you don’t trust the weather forecasts you can use this site to see how the weather was this time in years gone by.

As a footnote, who can repute the enduring appeal of The Shipping Forecast. Four times a day BBC Radio 4 Longwave broadcasts this baffling roundup of the forecast from our coastal waters. This programme is deemed so important that it even gets away with interrupting another of Britain’s irrefutable conversational pastimes – the cricket.

MW

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Exploring Wales…Some of the most stunning scenery in the world

June 26, 2008

Much of the countryside of Wales is breathtakingly beautiful, from the north, where you’ll find some of the most stunning scenery in the world, to the long sandy beaches of Pembrokeshire.

Mount Snowden - WalesSnowdonia, the historic heart of Wales, is unique. The mountains have a scale and grandeur which belies their actual size and the region is blessed with rivers, lakes, forests, moorlands and a lovely coastline.

The island of Anglesey ~ backed in the east by the dramatic backcloth of Snowdonia, ever changing in the shifting light ~ is separated from the mainland by the Menai Straits, a lovely sinuous arm of the sea which seems more like a tidal river in its wooded middle reaches. The island’s coastline is immensely varied and beautiful, and the little town of Beaumaris has a relaxed charm all of its own, with its urbane terraces and sea-side air. Read the rest of this entry »

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Beachcombing ; Top 5 Tips

June 24, 2008

Our top 5 tips for beach combing:beachcombin

  1. Get the right tools. Creating your own kit is easy. You just need a stick for turning things over, a net for picking things up or rinsing the sand away and small bottles or containers for keeping fragile items in.
  2. Start with the high water line. But remember to look everywhere – you never know what you might be missing!
  3. Examine everything closely. Objects are not always as they appear – driftwood and seaweed may have a treasure hiding it in, a bottle could have a note inside!
  4. Always check for writing and markings – you may be able to track the owner.
  5. Be patient. It may take a little while so be sure to walk for 30mins – 1 hour before you expect to find anything.

Safety Tips

Being out there on the beach, please take into account some safety tips:

  • We recommend that you wear sensible footwear
  • Keep an eye on the tide
  • Beware of slippery or loose rocks
  • Wear sunscreen!
  • Stay clear of unstable cliffs
  • Beware of suspicious objects particularly anything metal or glass

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Exploring France…Languedoc-Rousillon

June 9, 2008

The fortified city of CarcassonneThe Languedoc-Rousillon is a land of ancient cities and a generous sea; less frenetic than the Côte d’Azur, its coastline curves towards the Pyrénées as an almost continuous strip of sand.

This stretch of coastline was the first place in Gaul to be settled by the Romans, their enduring legacy evident in the great amphitheatre at Nîmes and the magnificent engineering of the Pont du Gard.

Ancient Roussillon, a small region of Languedoc, was a Spanish possession until 1659 and, even today, is inspired more by Barcelona than by Paris. This is, effectively, French Catalonia and the pretty town of Collioure certainly feels more Catalan than French.

Hemmed in by golden bays and with its Read the rest of this entry »

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Exploring the UK…the Cotswolds and Severn Valley

June 2, 2008

Regency houses in CheltenhamFor a lot of people, the Cotswolds, with their rich and varied landscape sprinkled with golden coloured churches, grand houses, villages and towns, are often considered to represent the very core of England.

Here are rolling green hills, honey-hued limestone walls, rose-covered cottages and babbling streams. Described in 1933 by J B Priestley as ‘the most English and least spoiled of all our countrysides’, this is a region for which the word ‘peaceful’ seems specially suited. Over it, as a whole, quietness reigns.

Creamy limestone is what makes the Cotswolds. Warmer toned in the north, pearly in the central areas and light grey in the south, the stone seems to glow with absorbed sunlight. Hamlets, villages, churches and towns grow out of the landscape in such a pleasing way just because this local stone has a warm and enduring quality. Read the rest of this entry »

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Exploring the UK… Top-10 Picture Perfect Destinations

June 1, 2008

lake district

Looking for artistic inspiration for your next holiday? A picturesque backdrop to test your photography skills, or to brush up on your painting and sketching? Here are ten great suggestions to get your creative juices flowing…

  1. The Lake District. Generations of romantics have found their muse amid the majestic mountains and sparkling waters of the Lakes. For tranquillity head to Wasdale – its remote and truly beautiful landscape is home to the deepest lake in England.
  2. Cornwall. Any artist will tell you that there’s something special about Cornish light. St Ives is famous for its local vistas, but the lesser-known and enchantingly sleepy harbour at Mousehole wins our vote.
  3. The Scottish Highlands. For sheer rugged beauty, the wilderness of the Highlands wins hands down. In the Northern Highlands, you’ll find Loch Maree with deer, eagles, and otters to be found among its breathtaking scenery. Nearby there’s Victoria Falls and Rua Reidh Lighthouse to aim your eye at.
  4. The North Yorkshire Coast. From the gothic Abbey at Whitby, to the steep cobbled streets and quaint cottages at Robin Hoods Bay, this rough-hewn coast makes a breathtaking backdrop. Get up early to enjoy the magical light of an East Coast sunrise.
  5. The New Forest. To capture wildlife in your lens, the New Forest is an obvious choice. Under its dappled canopy of mighty oak and beech, you’ll find natural scenes unchanged by the modern world – free roaming deer and ponies, plus an unexpected abundance of frogs, toads and lizards!
  6. Somerset. For misty panoramas and mysterious ancient sites, Somerset’s a firm favourite. Visit the medieval town of Dunster for sepia-toned images of times gone by. It’s hard not to be inspired at Exmoor, Cheddar Gorge or Glastonbury Tor.cornwall beach
  7. Northumbria. For seabird photography, the North East Coast takes the biscuit, and no-where is more enchanting than the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The cliffs around the ancient priory are home to puffins, terns, guillemots, eider ducks, and seals.
  8. The Pembrokeshire Coast. For panoramic bliss, the expansive coastline of Pembrokeshire offers rolling beaches, wooded estuaries and grassy cliff tops, rich in flowers and wildlife. Barafundle Beach is perfect, while nearby Portmeirion is one of the most photographed villages in the UK.
  9. Wiltshire. Head to Laycock, near Chippenham for a snapshot of chocolate box England and wonder at the 750 year old abbey. Or visit the nearby medieval village of Castle Combe, with a 15th Century pack-bridge and market cross.
  10. The Yorkshire Dales. The fine scenery of the Yorkshire Dales is home to some of the UK’s most spectacular waterfall and woodland scenery. Take the Ingleton Waterfall Trail, through wooded gorges and over limestone scars and soak up the magic.

Do you agree? Tell us about your family’s favourite locations by leaving your comments below…

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