It makes you laugh, a wisecracking comment, all at once absurd – who chooses to live in a vulgar abode – but equally perceptive. Smart man, original, knows how to paint pretty pictures.

The Yorkshire man is enjoying being at the centre of a buzz of conversation about him at present, all courtesy of a new exhibition at the Royal Academy. Entitled A Bigger Picture, the show celebrates the natural world, with a specific focus on the Yorkshire Wolds.

It is, in some ways, a prelude to a year of reinvigorated interest in the Yorkshire Wolds, an area of low hills in East and North Yorkshire. Hockney makes it beautiful in an artistic way, his typically pop aplomb style offering viewers a decidedly gorgeous imagination of the local scenery. Purple tree trunks anyone, blue branches?

In real life, though not as dreamlike in a wacky sense – i.e. a reality that can only be imagined in the deep subconscious – the Yorkshire Wolds are nevertheless just as captivating and we can see why Hockey is so passionate about this world. Its prettiness is arresting, nature in its most basic form, untarnished by human interference.

The word undulating is often used to describe the area, which is apt – the Yorkshire Wolds do have a sort of wavy feature to it, a characteristic that Hockney brings to life in his paintings. This makes the actual area a great place to navigate across, be it by foot, cycle or car.

It’s magnificent, in a way, what the Hockney Effect is going to do for the area – the pop artist has been long associated with the cool, chic exterior – and interior – of sunny California, a world which is the antithesis of Yorkshire life. It’s not so much that it’s fake, though that could be said to be true, but California exudes man’s desire to ostracise himself from nature. Everything is fabricated.

The Yorkshire Wolds however, retain a human quality. We find we are naturally drawn to it because it calls out to us. It’s a sounding horn of the past echoing into the future, saying remember where we’ve come from and how lovely it is to be somewhere utterly resplendent.

For those of you keen to check out the Yorkshire Wolds, we recommend you consider staying at Park House, a delightful 17th century detached cottage, ideally near the Yorkshire Wolds as well as the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.

To close, another quote from Hockney: “Loads of people, particularly artists, hate pretty pictures. Now I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like a pretty face.”

A wise man indeed: do check out his work and do check out the Yorkshire Wolds.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Our Cottage of the Week is part of our new featured range of Baby and Toddler friendly cottages. These cottages offer the best child-friendly facilities to ensure even the smallest holidaymakers have a great time on their break!

But even without its baby and toddler friendly label, Crwys Farm House in Swansea is a bit special. It’s one of four properties that have won several awards: The Lord Mayor Design Award, Wales regional winner for Built in Quality Design Award and the Gower Society Award. The surrounding area encompasses Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering an incredible array of natural riches to explore and enjoy.

There are beautiful sandy beaches further along the coast to the jewel of Rhossilli, and a 22-mile coastal path rewards walkers with some of the most stunning scenery in Wales. The north coast stretches from Llangennith along miles of deserted sandy beaches. There are beautiful walks aplenty in inland Gower, which boasts three Norman castles. Spectacular views of the north and south coasts can be admired from Cefyn Bryn – the spine of Gower. If you fancy a bit of time to yourself there are plenty of opportunities for golf, surfing, fishing and pony-trekking.

Nearby Swansea offers a welcome change of pace. Explore the history and heritage of favourite son, Dylan Thomas, shop at the largest indoor market in Wales and take a wander through the excellent maritime quarter – containing the Welsh Maritime Museum and the tropical Plantasia attraction.

Newborn parents may prefer to relax and enjoy the surroundings offered by Crwys Farm House. Practicalities are covered by the availability of stairgates, a cot and highchair. There’s a playroom upstairs with TV, video, DVD, mini snooker table and children’s toys. Outside in the enclosed garden there’s a children’s play area with swings and a slide. Relaxation is aided by the lovely interior décor and you’ll find all your needs are met with a lovely farmhouse style kitchen, wood burning stove, exterior hot tub and more.

There’s lots more to explore and enjoy at Crwys Farm House and the other properties at the location so please visit the property’s listing to find more info, check the price and book a break online.

Now while some people get it wrong – David Beckham has brought out his own underwear range (seriously, we love you as much as the rest of the world, but boxer shorts…really Becks?) – others, without trying, get it right.

David Hockney, the indefatigable pop artist, has, along with producing masterpieces like A Bigger Grand Canyon (1998), Paint Trolley (1985), American Collectors (1968) and Three-Panel Diving Board (1978), been quietly busy painting landscapes for the best part of 50 years. Many of the pictures centre on East Yorkshire, Hockney’s ancestral home.

These works are now being celebrated with a new exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, and true to form, are a visual bonanza. Colour is, per se, in all its generous, visual glory, splashed all over the canvasses. One might have to don sunglasses it’s that luminous!

Entitled A Bigger Picture, the show’s impact is expected to go beyond the exhibition. The Hockney Effect – so, so right! – is to reignite an interest in the Yorkshire Wolds, which, although as gorgeous as it has ever been, has experienced a gentle lull in visibility.

Part of the exhibition presents new work from the artist, like Woldgate Woods, which takes East Yorkshire’s beautiful natural scenery and reinvents it in a decidedly pop way. Again, the only descriptive vocabulary that comes to mind is colour! Lots of it: vivid, incandescent and bubbly.

“I think the world’s gone a bit Hockney mad at the moment,” said Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire. The exhibition is, in his opinion, a great way of promoting the region.

“The spotlight that will come back on to Yorkshire and those parts of Yorkshire as a result of this shouldn’t be underestimated. I would think that you will see, over the course of this year and probably going on beyond that, a big Hockney Effect, if you want to call it that, in terms of visitor numbers.”

Hockney meanwhile, as cool as a winter’s breeze on a sunny February afternoon, is happy to see attention cast on Yorkshire but not so bothered about interest in himself as a person. We get from him that he is happy for people to talk about his art, “not me” as a person. We can accept his want for privacy because his contribution to art and now Yorkshire is immeasurable. He is a man whose name is much more than a simple way of identifying oneself. It’s an idea.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

We’ve chosen one of France’s most beautiful regions for our new recommended destination. Annecy is France is an all year round attraction offering superb skiing conditions in winter, beautiful sunshine in summer and fantastic things to see and do all year round.

Located on the north shore of Lake Annecy, close to the Swiss border, the magnificent town is built around a medieval chateau and features freshwater channels that often give Annecy the title ‘Venice of Savoie’. The lake itself is the second largest in France and, thanks to strict environmental controls, is widely regarded as Europe’s cleanest. And thanks to its environmental protection, you can enjoy swimming and a host of water sports in the warmer months – not to mention a fantastic boat tour.

The mountains that surround Lake Annecy provide a stunning backdrop and a wealth of high-altitude activities. Skiers descend on the range in winter while summer allows you to take a walk and bathe in the unspoiled beauty of the region. If you fancy a more alternative tour then the accompanied Segway tours offer a unique way to traverse and admire the beautiful landscape.

Annecy town is lovely in daylight but really comes to life in the evening, as the beautiful architecture is bathed in a soft light that bounces off the water and there’s a lovely ambience to the place. The town’s history is marked by several must-see attractions, including the unique Palais de l’Isle in the centre of the Thiou canal.

Have you been to Annecy? Please let us know your holiday tips and the best things to see and do!

If you fancy paying a visit then take a look at our featured cottages to rent in Annecy.

Whisky, one of Scotland’s most famous exports, a drink enjoyed by people all around the world, could be even more prevalent in Scotland when a scheme that grades establishments serving the liquor comes into effect.

Backed by VisitScotland, the star scheme – a sort of whisky version of the Michelin-grading system that decides which eateries are of particular note – is one innovative way of celebrating one of the country’s most famous creations while drawing in crowds of holidaymakers who have booked a cottage break somewhere pretty.

The venture is being co-launched along with The Whisky Ambassador, which is run by a chap by the name of Victor Brierley (who also delivers whisky tours in Glasgow). Bars that stock whisky will be awarded stars based on the level of training staff have made and the service they deliver. So, for example, they will be judged on their ability to recommend a certain type of whisky to any given tourist.

“There are some excellent whisky bars and a lot of knowledge in some places, but many bar staff even in high-end bars and hotels don’t know what they are talking about,” he said.

“Premises will have sommeliers who can talk about champagne and red or white wine until it’s coming out of their ears, but shockingly, they often don’t know the first thing about whisky, our national drink.”

Mr Brierley added that recent research conducted by VisitScotland had shown that there is room for much improvement in the bar trade in the country.

“Knowledge is power,” he stated. “We’re giving them this knowledge.”

The whole initiative isn’t about remoulding the image of whisky as connoisseurs of the alcoholic beverage can testify that it is a delightful drink that comes in all sorts of flavours and colours. It’s about making it more accessible, about expanding people’s awareness of it and talking about its rich history. That’s what Mr Brierley is getting at when it says there is a knowledge gap.

“Bar staff should be able to talk about what whisky is, the colour, the age, the peatiness, the sweetness, and how it has come to find its way into bars all over the world,” he concluded.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so the shops tell us, their windows plastered with voluptuous hearts and teddy bears big and small and oh so cuddly. You ask yourself “Already? Didn’t I just get caught up in Christmas?” Alas dear reader, time flies like cupid’s arrow on a busy day and indeed that time is nigh. Santa is probably in the Caribbean sipping on a cocktail. It’s now time for the little cherub to take centre stage, to waltz around the globe spreading the joy of love.

For the romantics, young and old, a cottage holiday in Bath is an exciting way to surprise one’s partner on two counts. One, a cottage, whether classic or contemporary, exudes a certain romantic quality, a perfect place for you to whittle off one of your poems to your lover, a dreamy place to propose, or somewhere to remember all the good times you’ve experienced over the many years you’ve been together.

Two, Bath, historic, an official World Heritage site, arresting in its architecture – there’s something special about the Royal Crescent’s understated curves for example – and home to the Roman Baths, is equally dreamy.

Put the two together with basic mathematics and boom, you have got yourself a perfect setting for a short break that will be long remembered. Bearing this in mind, Bath Tourism Plus has come up with some suitably lovey-dovey ideas as to what couples can get up to when visiting the city.

It suggests checking out the Beaujolais Bistro, described as a traditional Bath favourite. On closer inspection, it is understandable why it remains a popular eatery – understated, with a generous menu and prices that are competitive. They’ve also got humour: “We love children but if they run around the restaurant we will give them a shot of espresso and a free puppy to take home!” Not bad eh? Have a lunch, let your kids go wild and get a puppy in return.

One place that demands a visit is the Prior Park Landscape Garden, jaw-dropping and beautiful in every way possible, and, we expect, come Valentine’s Day, beginning to once again blossom into life. It’s an 18th century landscape, created with the kind of skill that suggests Ralph Allen, an entrepreneur from the city whose idea it was, knew about love.

Valentine’s Day is a once a year event and though some may argue it to be a little cheesy, a bit too obvious and outdated, we think it provides an opportunity, at least, for lovers to dedicate proper time to one another. With everyone often so busy with work, socials and managing the family, the occasions we get with just our partner can often feel to be lacking or rushed. Make time and keep falling in love with one another…over and over till the end of time.

High Cross House, based in Dartington, is to open in the spring, made possible by a partnership between Dartington Hall Trust and the National Trust. For those on a cottage break in the region in March, it is worth checking out an outstanding feat of engineering and artistry.

Commissioned by William Curry, the first headmaster at Dartington Hall School, a man with impeccable taste, the modernist house is seen as a triumph of style and functionality.

It was designed by William Lescaze, a renowned Swiss-American architect and completed in 1932. The brief was a home that was a "machine for living".

In recent years the building has become more of a space for other things than its own aesthetic appeal, most notably showcasing 20th century art. That said, the art, which comes from Dartington Hall's own collection, has been in line with the modernist origins of High Cross House.

"We’re very excited by this new partnership with the National Trust, said Vaughan Lindsay, chief executive officer of Dartington Hall.

"We hope the partnership will bring many new visitors to the estate to enjoy High Cross House, explore Dartington's glorious grounds and gardens and find out more about our charitable programmes in the arts, social justice and sustainability"

Robyn Brown, general manager of the National Trust, English Riviera, described High Cross House as among the top five modernist houses in the country.
"We are really delighted to be working with Dartington to offer this special place for members, visitors and locals to come and enjoy again and again," she added.
High Cross House opens on March 7th.

Eat – Waterside Bistro

With a view of the river and an exciting menu to boot, Waterside Bistro is a superb place to visit for breakfast and lunch.

For meat eaters, check out its warm Chinese crispy duck pancakes, hoi sin sauce, crème fraiche, spring onions and cucumber. Veggies are recommended to try the baked Sharpham goat's cheese in filo pastry with sun dried tomato and rocket.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

We’re already seeing a lot of interest in short breaks as 2012 gathers pace. We’re not surprised really; taking a short break allows you to ease yourself into the New Year and may also help you stick to your resolutions – especially if they involve getting out and about and staying active!

The Nursery, our new Cottage of the Week, offers the kind of stunning location and property you might expect from this feature, but it also has plenty of short break availability over the next few months. And thanks to its stunning location in the Highlands of Scotland you won’t be short of things to see and do on your break!

Located close to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, The Nursery is set amid 20 acres of mature woodland close to beautiful Loch Awe with stunning views of mountains and glens. Opposite Ardbrecknish is majestic Ben Cruachan, and further north are the impressive Glen Coe and Ben Nevis ranges, a mecca for hill walkers all year round.

Both regions have ski centres and within an hour’s drive is the busy town of Oban, ‘Gateway to the Isles’, from where modern ferries take you to Mull and Iona, the cradle of Christianity, Staffa, inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave Overture and other Hebridean gems. Loch Awe is just 10 minutes’ walk away and there you can hire motorboats, rowing boats and canoes to explore the waters, or if you fancy something a little more passive you can fish the loch for salmon, char, monster pike and brown trout.

The Nursery itself is one of several properties at the lovely late 16th century Ardbrecknish House. It’s tastefully decorated and offers plenty of character and comfort. You’ll find a bar, restaurant, children’s play area and games room on-site so there should be plenty to keep every member of the family happy! And if you fancy going away with more than six holidaymakers, you’ll find the other properties can accommodate various sized parties, from 2 to 12.

If you’d like to book a short break at The Nursery or any of the other properties at Ardbrecknish House please visit the property’s listing on cottages4you. We’ll be back next week with another Cottage of the Week.

As legend has it, McCool built the causeway so he could take on the renowned Scottish warrior, and bearer of a far less cool moniker, Benandonner. Finn’s cool exterior was soon tarnished, however, when he fell asleep and woke to see Benandonner approaching over the causeway. As Benandonner was much bigger than himself, Finn chose the slightly less-heroic option of asking his wife for help. Mrs McCool’s plan was to disguise her husband under a blanket. Upon mistaking Finn for ‘baby McCool’, the giant realised the father would be even larger than himself and so ran back to Scotland, ripping up the Causeway as he went.

While countless retellings may have distorted the tale over the years, there are a few certainties about the Giant’s Causeway. Here are a few…

• The Causeway received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986 for offering ‘superlative natural phenomena in an area of exceptional natural beauty.’

• It is Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction and, thanks to the National Trust’s stewardship, is completely free!

• Millions of years of exposure to the elements have shaped some of the Causeway’s more unique features, such as The Chimney Stacks and The Giant’s Boot.

Have you been to The Giant’s Causeway? Tell us about your experiences below!

Search our featured holiday cottages in Ireland on cottages4you.

Equally, Breathless, the 1960 French flick, forerunner of the French New Wave, could also serve as an alternative foreword to Paris, with Michel – played by the very watchable Jean-Paul Belmondo – bumbling his way around the city.

Both movies may perhaps be outside the fringes of how Paris is painted, but they ultimately come to the same conclusion: Paris is a dynamic city. It always has been and always will be.

It's a sentiment that Sarah Woods, a writer and TV presenter best known for her work on the Alan Titchmarsh show – the nation's favourite gardener – shares.

"Paris is one of the most iconic cities in Europe," she says matter-of-factly.

"We're familiar with all the images and landmarks and if we haven't been to the Eiffel Tower, we feel that we have got an affinity with it. We have an affinity because we probably have seen it, because we've grown up with pictures and images of it on televisions and [in] books."

Like London, New York and Milan, Paris is one of those cities that has transcended its geographical boundaries – its identity and attraction is global.

"Now, more than ever, people are wanting to see these iconic cities," Ms Woods goes on to say.

"It has retained its appeal with a broad base of people because it used to have a romantic tag but now with things like Eurodisney, it has had to broaden its tourist appeal to families."

This is a dramatic change because it has long been associated with romance, though still true, is not the only defining quality of the city. It's a great place for escape, for family adventure and for activity.

"It used to have a real snooty air about it but there are many more places [to visit within the city] there are places to eat and things like that. It has captured our hearts and imaginations with its landmark attractions."

Paris is an unmistakeably vibrant city, which can be properly enjoyed by following tourist trails or all the usual hotspots. But, if you want to get to know the real Paris, follow the lead of the fictional Amelie and Michel, whose haphazard and often capricious wanderings leads them to all sorts of unusual yet dynamic hotspots.

One things for you sure in Paris – wherever you end up, there'll be something about it that is captivating. Linger and enjoy. After all, as one of the characters says in Breathless, "When the French say a second, they mean five minutes".
Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you