If you are a sun, sea and sand sort of person, then you probably won’t even think about taking UK holidays. But it’s amazing how many people don’t even consider taking a break in this country even if they were staying in one of the finest countryside cottages.

That’s a shame, because there is so much on offer here to tempt people into staying. The Cotswolds alone are filled with pretty villages, amazing history and so much to see and do that you’d need weeks on end to do it all. UK holidays are sometimes rather overlooked by people who are constantly going abroad. If you are one of them, perhaps it’s time you reconsidered your own country? Here are some convincing reasons for staying in the UK and heading to the Cotswolds.

1. Let’s think about the weather first of all. We may not get the kind of weather that other countries get, but 2009 has given us some reasonably good weeks so far. And there is usually plenty to do even when the weather isn’t on our side. Here in the Cotswolds we can give you some great UK holidays that include browsing round villages, stepping inside stately homes, and much more besides. There is a lot to see and do every single day of the year.

2. You don’t have to be near the sea to have a wonderful break either. Let’s face it, the Cotswolds aren’t located near the sea, but if you want to get a taste of the water you still have places like the Cotswolds Water Park to enjoy while you are here.

3. There is no doubt that cheap UK holidays are very tempting, especially when you have delights such as the Cotswolds available in your own country. Booking up a cottage for the week – or even for just a long weekend – can be surprisingly cheap especially when you consider that it is self catering. Perhaps this is why cheap UK holidays are more popular than ever this year, as the recession limits our choices of where to go for a break from reality.

There used to be a time when the great British holiday was something to really look forward to. It was only when package holidays abroad became more readily available that things changed. Perhaps it will take a recession to swing things back in our favour again?

After all, nothing much has changed in this country when it comes to finding fantastic destinations like the Cotswolds to go to. Stunning villages like Bourton on the Water and Banbury are still there and still drawing in the visitors, as are many other places offering a taste of history and comfort.

A lot of people go to the same foreign country and destination for years on end before deciding to change things a bit. And this year it would seem as if more people than usual are deciding to stay at home. This is largely because of the recession, which has made taking a holiday more of a luxury than a necessity for many people.

So why not stay here this year and visit us here in the Cotswolds instead of heading abroad to the beaches? You might just start a new trend…

Technorati Tags: Holiday, Should, Take

There are plenty of places you can stay in when you go on holiday in the Cotswolds. But arguably the best option of the lot is the country cottage. Cotswolds cottages in particular have a certain look and feel about them that makes it clear you are in this part of the country!

Here at Manor Cottages we’ve got plenty of countryside cottages in the Cotswolds that you can escape to for a weekend break or longer holiday. And there is no doubt that they are all exceptionally popular.

If you’re looking for some reasons to convince you that holidays in the UK are better when taken in a holiday cottage, the following pointers should help.

1. You can enjoy period features. Some of our cottages are hundreds of years old. Take Corner Cottage for example, which is located in Burford. This dates back to the 16th century, so who knows who may have been there before you? It’s certainly got more character and history than you would get from the average bed and breakfast location!

2. You can see what it’s like to live in a real Cotswolds cottage. We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to up sticks and move to the Cotswolds permanently. After all, it has plenty to offer and the scenery is amazing. But staying in a Cotswolds self catering cottage for a short break is the ideal way to sample life in this part of the country. For starters many of them are constructed from real Cotswold stone. The Greys is a typical example. Situated in Chedworth, this cottage has a lot going for it – not least its wood burning stove and the classic exterior look that is common to the area.

3. The cottages are usually located in quiet areas. If you are escaping to the Cotswolds for a few days, you’re probably doing so in order to get some peace, quiet and rest. Holiday cottages are almost always situated in out of the way places, although they are still usually close enough to essential amenities to offer the best of both worlds.

4. Features such as open fires are ideal for those winter breaks. A stay in the Cotswolds isn’t just restricted to the summer months. In fact a winter break is generally a lot cheaper than a summer one, and if you find it’s a bit cold you’ll want to look for a cottage that has an open fire to use. Snuggling up in front of the fire for a romantic evening in – what could be better?

You probably don’t need any more convincing that a stay in a typical Cotswolds country cottage is the best way to enjoy a holiday in the area. And there are lots to choose from, as you’ll see from our website.

But no matter which one you settle on, you won’t find yourself too far away from all the best locations, attractions and venues worth paying a visit to. So don’t spend all day enjoying the cottage – there’s much more to see yet!

Technorati Tags: Classic, cottage, Holiday, Stay

my partner and i are considering going camping over the last weekend of october, is it a completely silly idea? x

Not crazy or silly. You’ll just be cold.
The website I found says the temperature in October is 52F(11C)
And if it’s the end of October it would probably be more like November’s temperature of 45F(7C)… Yes, very cold……
Build a BIG camp fire. Have you seen Castaway? Yeah, that big.

The Vintage Sports Car Club 75th Anniversary Meeting at Prescott Hill Climb on 2 August 2009

Duration : 0:9:55

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Technorati Tags: Cotswolds, prescott hill climb, vintage sports cars, vscc

Broadway – Worcestershire serves as an ideal base for anyone visiting England’s gorgeous Cotswold area. All the main attractions are easily accessible. These include the Regency Cheltenham Castle (in Warwick), the Shakespeare Theater (Stratford-upon-Avon), and the Roman Baths (Bath).

There is no doubt that Broadway is one of the most appealing villages in the county of Worcestershire. Just two hours from the middle of London, it’s known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswold’. Pretty horse chestnut trees line the High Street, and the village features beautifully maintained stone cottages and many period houses.

Accommodation options in Broadway are plentiful. These include country house hotels, traditional B&Bs, mobile homes, apartments and cottages. Well equipped caravan parks and camp sites are found on the village outskirts.

Broadway is a shopper’s paradise. Whether you’re looking for Cashmere sweaters, paintings, antiques, gifts or souvenirs, you will certainly find it. This vibrant village has been dubbed the ‘Cotswold’s Jewel’. Its residents were filled with pride when they heard the news in 2008 that it had been declared the Best Village in Worcestershire.

The Lygon Arms is located on High Street. This hotel has a rich history and has been a popular venue with many famous people. King Charles I would frequently summon his confidants to the Inn for meetings, while Oliver Cromwell was a regular guest. Today the hotel is classified ‘international standard’ and is noted for its fine cuisine and modern-day comforts.

The Broadway Tower was erected on a beacon site. This is another building that is steeped in history. The famous publisher, Sir Thomas Phillips, ran his printing works from the tower. Socialite, designer, writer and artist, William Morris, frequently used it as a getaway retreat. The recognized archaeologist, Arthur Evans, conducted his studies from here. Today the tower houses many interesting displays.

For a fun family day outdoors, a visit to the Tower Country Club is highly recommended. The kids will be entertained at the red deer paddock where they can watch many Bambies frolicking. Dad and Mom can admire the tower’s architecture and savor the tranquility of nature.

Your stay at Broadway – Worcestershire should also include a trip to the Gordon Russell Museum. The museum is located in a listed building that was used as a workshop for many years by the notorious furniture designer, Sir Gordon Russell. After he did his stint in the First World War, he conducted his business here for six decades where he created his distinctive masterpieces.

Technorati Tags: Broadway, Cotswolds, Jewel, Worcestershire

If you can, or you have in the past, then you might get more than you were expecting from your Cotswolds Holiday.

It would appear that the area is fairly well haunted in one way or another, and there are plenty of buildings, locations and villages that can lay claim to at least one ghost. And on many occasions they can claim far more than that.

Take the Black Abbott for example, who resides in a churchyard close to Cheltenham, the home of the famous racecourse. We have plenty of Holiday Cottages close to the area, so if you fancy the idea of trying to find the mysterious Black Abbott, you won’t have to try quite as hard to find a nearby property to stay in while you do!

For those staying near Cheltenham the best way to find out all there is to know about the ghosts in the area is to take a ghost walk. These are guided by experts in the subject, so you will be assured of a disturbing but enjoyable night out. Make sure you find out about these in advance though, as they usually need to be booked. They are certainly rather popular among those visitors who want to see a different side to the area!

If you are staying a little further afield in our Grosvenor Place Apartment in Bath, then you’ll be glad to know you can see a similar side to this city too. These ghost walks have been going for over thirty years, which should tell you how popular they really are!

The Royal Crescent in Bath is one of the most famous and recognisable sights in the city. And the ghostly Gravel Walk which leads to it holds a few stories of its own.

But Moreton in Marsh is perhaps one of the most haunted places you could visit on any Cotswolds Holiday. And for the bravest among you we have just the property to put you right in the middle of this haunted location!

We can’t guarantee that you’ll find any ghostly activity at all at The Cottage in Moreton in Marsh, but you might see something nearby. A good number of the local hotels and pubs have at least one ghost on the property, and if you fancy a drink at the Black Bear Inn there is something you ought to know first. You shouldn’t be too surprised if you find yourself in the middle of some poltergeist activity there. This is a German phrase which literally refers to a noisy ghost.

So you see, while most people think of Cotswolds Cottages as being lovely, calm and stunning places, the area surround them has a lot more to offer than that. On a Cotswolds Holiday, you might actually see more than you bargained for, with ghosts and ghouls abound, and so much more besides.

So come along to the Cotswolds, enjoy the ghosts, in the cottages, and enjoy the scenery; all are so good that you might think that the whole thing is supernatural!

Technorati Tags: Area, Cotswolds, Ghosts

Not necessarily.there are many people who live in this area and their families have done so for many generations. Also, many cottages are rented out to tourists throughout the year

Hop in for a brief glimpse of a village in England.

Duration : 0:4:19

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Technorati Tags: Campden, Chipping, Cotswolds, Countryside, england, English, Misterduncan

Image taken on 2007-05-22 09:01:25 by UGArdener.

Technorati Tags: Bourton, Cotswolds, gloucestershire, Hedge, Hill, Undulating

Not everyone is suited to a lazy type of holiday, and if you are up for seeing the Cotswolds from the saddle of a bike, you certainly won’t be disappointed.

You can bring your own bike on the back of your car if you wish, or alternatively you can hire one locally. But whichever way you choose to get going, you won’t fall short of places to explore during your stay.

The beauty of the Cotswolds doesn’t just lie in the miles of stunning countryside you can gaze at as you pedal along. It also lies in the variety of cycle routes you can follow. If you are used to being in the saddle every day, you’ll appreciate the off-road options that will take you onto some of the more challenging routes available. Beginners might feel more comfortable on the quieter roads, of which there are many in the Cotswolds area.

The one essential item you will need if a cycling holiday appeals to you is a map. It’s worth investing in a proper cycle map too, as this will highlight all the local routes that you can follow near to where you are staying. For example, some of our cottages and properties can be rented in the Cotswold Water Park. This alone has two beautiful routes that you can try out for starters.

In fact, you don’t have to be out on your bicycle every day if you don’t want to be. You can hire bicycles for a single day to try it out, and then book for additional days if you wish.

On the far east of the Cotswolds the rolling countryside dips down toward the Thames, whilst the northern side is ridged with a steep escarpment, and within this varied countryside there are any number of routes, from the easy to the relatively challenging.

One of the best advantages of cycling in the Cotswolds is that the terrain is very suitable for bikers of all abilities. You won’t find any steep mountains to puff your way up. Think of it instead as a series of gently climbing and falling hills, so you won’t be in for any great difficulty for a prolonged period of time!

That the Cotswolds is a well established location for cyclists means that there are a large number of cycle hire specialists in the area, who can provide whatever you need – from hybrid and mountain bikes to guided tours, advice and maps.

There are plenty of cycle paths and routes criss-crossing their way all over the area, but you might like to come up with your own ideas as well, as you become more knowledgeable about the area. In fact, there is no better activity than to put your feet up in one of our superb quality cottages in the evening, glass of wine to hand, as you plan your route for the very next day.

If that sounds appealing, it doesn’t begin to cover the joy you will get when you actually go out on your bike for real!

Technorati Tags: Advice, Cotswolds, Cycling, Holiday, Planning