Monmothshire holiday cottage

Situated in South East Wales, Monmouth has plenty to offer for a relaxing rural break. Whether you want to explore one of the area’s many castles, trek through stunning countryside or indulge in some retail therapy, Monmouthshire holiday cottages are for everyone.

The county’s capital is the beautiful market town of Monmouth. This bustling town has a selection of markets throughout the week, selling everything from antiques to food. It’s also full of unusual natural features including a magnificent cave system that honeycombs the surrounding hills – tours run frequently and full-scale potholing expeditions are available for experienced cavers.

If you prefer to be above ground, or even in the air, trekking by foot and horse are both readily available and the surrounding mountains offer an excellent paragliding base, for those with a head for heights.

On a hilltop just outside the city sits the peaceful Kymin. This unusual site holds both a Naval Temple, dedicated to the glory of Britain’s Navy, and a Georgian banqueting house. Built for a gentleman’s dining society in 1794, it once hosted Lord Nelson for breakfast! The Temple and House are surrounded by beautifully landscaped pleasure gardens which maximise on the stunning views across the valley afforded by this hilltop site.

Alternatively, nearby Raglan Castle is one of the finest medieval castles in the UK and its remarkably well-preserved ruins provide a picturesque and educational day out.

For a relaxing countryside break which doesn’t mean stopping everything, consider renting a holiday cottage in Monmouth – the perfect mix of town and country.

H.E. Hipperson boating holiday

H.E Hipperson is based in the beautiful rural town of Beccles, Suffolk. This 18th century market town is the perfect start point for a relaxing boating holiday on the edge of the Norfolk Broads. H.E Hipperson offers traditional cedar houseboats that sleep 4-6 people and are perfect for families and couples wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a Suffolk boating holiday.

Each boat is well-furnished with a selection of beds, including one double bed, two single beds and a sofa bed all of which are provided with bed linen and duvets for home-from-home comfort. The fully-equipped kitchen is at the heart of the boat and provides facilities for all types of cooking, while the excellent bathroom facilities provide both bath and shower options.

The boats also include a veranda, perfect for relaxing and watching the world drift by as you listen to water lap against the deck. These moored boats are perfectly located for all the amenities of Beccles, with its selection of traditional country pubs, unusual shops and exciting restaurants.

H.E Hipperson boats also provide a perfect base for exploring the local area, with highlights including the historic city of Norwich and the traditional seaside resort of Great Yarmouth, with access to the beautiful Suffolk coast.

Liverpool holiday apartment

Once a major industrial centre, Liverpool has regenerated in the last few years to become one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the UK, an achievement cemented by its role as Capital of Culture in 2008.

The main attraction is its waterfront, the perfect place for a stroll. This striking walk takes you through Liverpool’s World Heritage Site, which includes the famous Three Graces – a trio of historic dockside buildings dating from the early twentieth century. The city has several museums, including the Museum of Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum, both of which are free entry and allow a full exploration of the area’s fascinating history through interactive exhibits.

Music lovers will want to track down some of the buildings associated with Liverpool’s most famous sons – The Beatles. There is a Magical Mystery Tour to show you all the musical highlights and the legendary Cavern bar, where the group played their first gigs, is also a popular stop. You can even tour the childhood homes of Lennon and McCartney or visit the Beatles’ story – a great introduction to the band for all the family.

The city is stocked with world-class restaurants, many of which receive accolades in the national press. Wine lovers will want to book a table at Fraiche, which has the best wine list in the UK according to 2010’s Which Good Food Guide. Meanwhile, Panoramic is a fantastic experience restaurant with 360 degree views across Liverpool while you dine.
Holiday 365 has a fantastic range of accommodation for Liverpool city breaks, placing all this and more on your doorstep.

Knightsbridge holiday apartments

Knightsbridge is a shopper’s delight, with designer stores and Harrods, London’s most famous and exclusive department store, all nestled in this tiny area. It’s also perfectly positioned on one of London Underground’s main lines for speedy access to the West End and the museums in nearby South Kensington. It’s the perfect location for those looking for a London city break that combines culture, entertainment and some of the best shops in the world.

Harrods is Knightsbridge’s main attraction. This historic store is now world-famous for its range of designers and high-end luxury goods, but it started as an 1834 market stall in Stepney, run by Charles Henry Harrod.

Today, visitors mainly want to indulge in the old-school opulence of the store, with suited and booted doormen and the art-deco Egyptian Hall and Escalator. The store also attracts many fans of Diana, Princess of Wales after previous owner Mohamed Al-Fayed controversially had a memorial installed to her and his son Dodi.

Once you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, it’s either a short walk or shorter tube journey to London’s main museum district. Along South Kensington, you’ll find the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, both fantastic days out with children and the elegant Victoria and Albert Museum, which focuses on art and design.

With so much to see and do, you’ll need some comfortable accommodation to return to. Holiday 365 has a great range of accommodation for Knightsbridge and London city breaks.

Manchester Piccadilly holiday apartments

Manchester Piccadilly is one of the city’s most vibrant areas and these stylish holiday apartments place you right at the heart of the action for a fun-packed city break. Set just 100 metres from Piccadilly Station, in a gorgeous Grade II listed building, these loft conversions are spacious, cosmopolitan and comfortable holiday apartments, ideal for exploring all that a Manchester city break has to offer.

The building’s historic nature is celebrated through exposed brickwork and traditional wooden beams from the original architecture; these are then blended with the highest standards of contemporary interior design to create a memorable living space. One and two bed apartments are available; both with open plan living and dining spaces and the option of single or double beds. The apartments are all fitted with modern kitchens, allowing self-catering if required and state-of-the-art entertainment systems, including a widescreen TV / DVD and hi-fi.

The apartment complex also benefits from a 24 hour concierge and room service, with a bar and bistro located in the building for the use of residents. There is also a large selection of restaurants and bars a stone’s throw from the apartments, as well as many of Manchester’s most popular attractions.

Chinatown is nearby and well worth a visit for its unique atmosphere, colourful architecture and some of the best Chinese restaurants in the UK. Also close to the apartment is the vibrant Salford Quays area, recently regenerated, and now one of Manchester’s most exciting cultural districts. Its here you will find the respected Lowry Centre of Contemporary Art and the Imperial War Museum North.

To book this, or a selection of other accommodation in Manchester, contact Holiday365.

Holiday cottage in Cumbria

Looking for a rural retreat with plenty of activities to take your mind off everyday life? Johnby in Cumbria is the perfect rural break, combining the beauty of the English countryside with exciting museums, grand manor houses and wholesome food. This tiny rural village is the ideal base for exploring all that Cumbria, often described as one of the most beautiful areas of England, has to offer.

Situated on the edge of the Lake District National Park, Johnby offers a selection of glorious walks, taking in the lakes, valleys and fells of the area. Many of the area’s attractions can be reached on foot, including the striking Dalemain House, a traditional country estate in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside. Dalemain has a distinctive pink facade, and combines medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture to create a varied, memorable mansion. The estate also has a tea room, stunning gardens and a deer park.

Just down the road is the historic village of Dacre, with its ancient Castle and church, home to the mysterious Dacre Bears, four stone bear statues that surround the churchyard; their origin and purpose is entirely unknown. Once you’ve come up with your own theory, the nearby Horse & Farrier is a great place to discuss all the possible resolutions to this mystery over a pint and some home-cooked food.

The market town of Penrith is also nearby and offers some excellent shopping opportunities, while those who like messing around in boats will want to make the most of the Lakes and the many cruise opportunities offered here.
For the widest range of Cumbrian accommodation for a delightful rural break, contact Holiday 365.

Cardiff city holiday apartment

This week we focus on a gorgeous townhouse which has been sensitively restored to create a selection of stylish one and two bed Cardiff holiday apartments, all capable of sleeping up to 4 people in contemporary luxury.

The spacious lounge benefits from the townhouse’s original bay windows, which flood the main living space with natural light. The contemporary kitchen contains everything you need for self-catering, including a fridge/ freezer, washer/dryer and microwave.

Rated five stars by the Welsh Tourist Board, each apartment has a striking master bedroom with en-suite and also benefits from a secure entry system. Although the apartments are only a 15 minute walk from the main station, free parking is available on-site if needed.

Located in the trendy Pontcanna district, Cardiff City holiday apartments overlook the lovely Sophia Gardens and impressive Glamorgan County Cricket Ground. They’re conveniently located for visits to Cardiff Castle, a Norman fortress which is now one of Wales’ top tourist attractions, with highlights including the sumptuously decorated Arab room and an unusual Mediterranean Roof Garden.

Also nearby is the contemporary Millennium Stadium, home of Welsh Rugby. When not being used for matches, this striking sports ground is open for tours throughout the day. Dotted around the city are the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, which retain their historical glamour while hosting an unrivalled selection of modern boutiques, high street shops, bars and restaurants.

With history, culture and excellent shopping prospects, Cardiff really does have everything, and there is no better base for a Cardiff city break than the Cardiff City holiday apartments, bookable through Holiday 365.

Isle of Skye holiday cottage

Lying just off the coast of the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye is a remote break away from the cares of everyday life. Accessible by road or boat, this idyllic location makes it the perfect choice for hideaway romantic breaks: an Isle of Skye holiday cottage offers the opportunity for total relaxation.

Visitors can take their pick from the numerous walking routes, suitable for all abilities, across the island to make the most of the stunning scenery and astounding views back to the mainland, including the unique Eilean Donan Castle, whose monolithic presence on the skyline belies its dream-like origins and interior.

Restored in 1919, the team worked on the then-ruins without access to the original plans, following a layout that Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap saw in a dream. The plans were found 6 months after completion in an Edinburgh vault and matched perfectly!

There are plenty of chances to explore the Isle from the water as well. As well as the Isle of Skye ferry that connects with the mainland, there are tourist boats which allow you to appreciate the landscape and wildlife of this isolated region from the water.

The must-see museum of the island is the Clan Donald Skye, which takes an interactive look at the history of the Isle and its inhabitants. Set in the ruins of a fairytale castle, the museum benefits from beautifully manicured gardens which give way to lush woodland across the 20,000 acre estate. This is also a great place to spot some of the area’s rarer wildlife, including red deer and sea eagles.

To get away from it all on the Isle of Skye, look at Holiday 365’s selection of rustic holiday cottages.

Calcutt Boats

Calcutt Boats is located at Napton Junction in Warwickshire, providing a perfect jumping off point for some of the most varied and exciting canal routes in the UK. This friendly boatyard can provide suitable accommodation for parties from 4-9 people, whether enthusiastic beginners or experienced boating holiday-makers.

Some of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the country are easily accessible from these waterways on relaxing circular routes that begin and end at Napton Junction. Take your pick from the dreaming spires of Oxford and its lush green waterways, the historic city of Coventry, with its beautiful cathedral that mixes old and new architecture or Birmingham, once an industrial powerhouse at the centre of a revolution – today a cosmopolitan city full of character.

Calcutt Boats is also an easy cruise from Shakespeare’s home at Stratford-Upon-Avon, a gorgeous, rural town steeped in history, its location on the Avon makes this the perfect town to explore by boat.

The traditional narrowboats are cleverly designed to offer maximum comfort as you chug along the canals, including fixed-berth beds, and also come with all modern conveniences, including thermostatic heating for the colder months, TV, CD/DVD player and a hairdryer.

With over 30 years experience in hiring and teaching on narrowboats, you can be sure that a trip with Calcutt Boats will prove a highly relaxing experience, allowing you to explore the heart of England by water, at your own speed. In every direction from this ideally located base is beautiful countryside and exciting attractions to explore. All you need to do is take your pick which ones to start with!

Harrogate holiday apartment

The beautiful spa town of Harrogate is nestled near the Yorkshire Dales to combine the best of rural tranquillity and urban adventure for a unique city break. The stunningly preserved Turkish Spa Rooms are a must-do for any visitor in need of some relaxation in unique surroundings and you can also learn the history of these magical waters in the Pump Room Museum.

Harrogate claims to have the strongest sulphur water in Europe – it smells awful but works wonders on your skin, while those with strong stomachs can even line up to taste this natural aqua vitae, straight from the well.

Once your time in the spa has relaxed you, a gentle stroll around the town will enable you to enjoy the open spaces of The Stray; 200 acres of green lawns that surround the town or the Valley Heads where the famous Harrogate spa wells spring from. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Garden, for a riot of colour close to lush pine woods. Tucked away within the garden is the famous Betty’s Tearoom, for traditional English tea time fare, including scones, sponge cake and, of course, a pot of tea.

Artistic types will find plenty to admire in the Mercer Gallery, Harrogate’s Fine Art centre, with a selection of national and local artists on display. Those wishing to explore beyond the city will enjoy hiking in the glorious Yorkshire Dales with its constantly changing landscapes of rolling hills and desolate moors.

Holiday 365 has a great selection of accommodation in the heart of Harrogate, so for a relaxing city break to remember visit: http://www.holiday365.co.uk/citybreaks/harrogate