Spotlight on New Sykes Cottages – Kent

May 22nd, 2013

For those wanting the best of both worlds while visiting the UK, Kent is the place for you. In only and hour and a half from the centre of London you can be on the Kent coast, sunning on the beach in Ramsgate, or gazing across to France from the White Cliffs of Dover.

Recently we’ve had a number of lovely new properties added to our selection of cottages throughout beautiful Kent, giving you more reason than ever to visit the most south-easterly of counties in England.

9 Linden Grove – Canterbury, Kent

If you aren’t looking for a seaside oasis, why not consider staying in the heart of historic Canterbury? 9 Linden Grove is perfectly situated for exploring the beautiful city of Caterbury, with its Roman walls and Norman castle ruins, set as it is only a short walks from the River Stour and public gardens. Linden Grove is a Grade II listed cottage, with some parts dating back to the 16th century, and provides comfortable accommodation for three in two bedrooms. With such easy access to the centre of Canterbury, with all its restaurants, cafes, and attractions, this makes the perfect accommodation for a romantic holiday for two.

Beachmaster & Groove Armada – Kingsdown near Deal, Kent

For families looking for something a little more relaxed, we have the perfect coastal accommodation for you. Groove Armada and Beachmaster are two newly listed holiday cottages are ideally set within the popular cliff-top holiday site, Kingsdown Park in Kent, and enjoys a delightful seaside location. Both cottages are of a unique Scandinavian A-frame design and offer accommodation for up to six people. Kingsdown Park is the perfect location for a family holiday, with enough on-site facilities to keep everyone entertained – with a heated indoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a children’s play area and crazy golf, woodland walks, and of course the fantastic, quiet private beach just a short walk from the cottages. Here there will be no worry of children crying out that they are bored, they will be crying out that they never want to leave!

The Moorings – Ramsgate, Kent

Looking for the best of both worlds? A beautiful sea-front location with all the amenities of a city? Well, The Moorings in Ramsgate might just be for you. This second floor apartment sits in a fantastic coastal position, close to the heart of Ramsgate, just a short stroll of all the activity of this bustling seaside town.  The Moorings offers splendid views over the harbour, and makes the perfect location for a romantic couple’s getaway.

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Helping you find accommodation near Alton Towers

May 20th, 2013

Good news for all you adrenaline seekers out there; this week sees the launch of the newest ride at Alton Towers, The Smiler. The world’s first 14 looped rollercoaster with a series of mind-blowing illusions, The Smiler opens at the Staffordshire favourite on 23rd May 2013. Try Alton Towers as part of a holiday or simply a day trip and you’ll find plenty to do for all ages and bravery levels!

 
Alton Towers
 

The Smiler: Alton Towers’ newest attraction

So if 14 loops sound right up your street, what else does The Smiler have to offer?  For starters, the ride’s name may be misleading as the optical illusions are designed to make you giggle, feel ticklish and disorientated on your 165 second ride as you reach speeds of up to 85 kilometres an hour.  The ride is found in the X Sector alongside other favourites such Oblivion and Submission, designed to get your heart racing!  You can even download The Smiler game to your smartphone for a taste of the real deal before you arrive.

 
About to enter Oblivion
 

Find Alton Towers accommodation with Sykes Cottages

We love roller coasters at Sykes Cottages and we’re proud to have such a great selection of holiday cottages within easy reach of the park.  Choosing self-catering accommodation is a sensible choice as you can make up a packed lunch before you arrive at the park and avoid the pricy lunch options at the park.  You can also enjoy far more space that you would have in a hotel room meaning the whole family can look forward to a good night’s sleep after a day of excitement!  Don’t forget to explore the rest of the Peak District once you’ve got your adrenaline fix; your holiday cottage is the perfect base for making the most of the surrounding area.  From excellent walks on your doorstep to pretty market towns like Buxton and Bakewell to discover, the Peak District is a great choice whatever type of holiday you are looking for.

 

 

Thrills and spills around the UK

While Alton Towers may be a firm favourite, there are plenty more adrenaline opportunities across the UK.  Try Thorpe Park in Surrey if you’re heading anywhere near the capital this summer, Oakland in Pembrokeshire or Flamingo Land in Yorkshire for hours of family fun.  We have self-catering cottages throughout the UK and Ireland so whether you’re looking for an energetic holiday or more restful break, we’re sure to have holiday accommodation to suit you.  Why not visit our website to take a look at all of our cottages?  Your next UK holiday could be just a few clicks away…

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Sunday Snapshots: Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor

May 19th, 2013

There are few words to do justice to this week’s Sunday Snapshot, which comes from the Burrator Reservoir in Dartmoor. This is one of the fifty (not to mention one of the most beautiful) inland waterways managed by the South West Lakes Trust. With landscapes as breathtaking as this, it’s little wonder that the charity’s sites welcome some two million visitors a year from fishermen to dog walkers, families and watersports enthusiasts. If this has inspired you to visit Dartmoor, why not take a look at our holiday cottages in the National Park? A fantastic selection of self-catering cottages located in one of the most stunning parts of the UK; what more could you want?

Burrator Reservoir

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Success for Sykes Cottages

May 17th, 2013

We’re celebrating here at Sykes Cottages HQ after winning a weekly competition organised by the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG). TTG is the UK’s leading publication for travel agents and those in the tourism industry, so it’s a pretty big deal for us at Sykes!

 
Congratulations balloons
 

Each week TTG selects a number of high street and internet companies at random and conducts a mystery shop where they seek information about a holiday.  This week’s customer was searching for a short break in October for a group of six female friends working to a budget of £650.  Ed, one of our holiday cottage advisors who joined the company in October 2012, was the lucky one who picked up the mystery call.  We’re pleased to say we scored really well in each of the four categories to achieve a final score of 94%, a significant margin ahead of the other companies who were also mystery shopped.  So, it’s a big congratulations to the reservations and training team from everyone here at Sykes!

 

 

Before our holiday cottage advisors are let loose on the general public, they undergo atraining course led by our team of experienced trainers.  During that time, our new members of staff learn all about the company and the best way to take a telephone call from our customers looking for a cottage holiday.  It’s this commitment to quality training that we feel sets us apart from our competitors and sets a fantastic standard within the call centre.

 
Scenic Telephone Box
 

We’re sure one of our holiday cottage advisors will be able to dazzle you too; why not give us a call and put us to the test?  Our call centre is open between 9am and 9.30pm seven days a week and we can even call you!

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Start Planning Your May Half-Term Holiday Today!

May 15th, 2013

Though it seems like one holiday has just finished, there is another one just around the corner. The school half-term holiday is only a few weeks away, with most schools being off from 27th-31st May, and all you parents need to start planning soon. There are worse concerns to have than what you’re going to do on your second holiday in a month!

Don’t bother yourself with heading overseas, dealing with packed airports, and changing your currency. People from the world over dream for a lifetime about visiting England, Scotland, and Wales, and with so much to see and do right here, there is no reason to deal with all the hassle of going overseas.

Here at Sykes Cottages we still have a great selection of cottages to rent for the half-term holiday, and if the weather is anything like this past bank holiday, there will be no better place to be!

Half-Term Family Fun in Cornwall

Cornish Coast

via. Flickr

If you’re looking for golden beaches, dramatic coastline, an abundance of natural wildlife, and a wealth of family friendly attractions, then Cornwall is for you. Spend sunny days paddling on the beach, and evenings relaxing in the back garden of your holiday cottage while you fire up the barbeque and enjoy a cold drink. Half-term holidays don’t get much better than that!

Browse our holiday cottages in Cornwall today!

Get Learning in Wales on Half-Term

St Fagans - Wales

via. Flickr

For those who prefer to keep the kids learning while on holiday, why not head to Wales and have a cultural experience right here in the UK. There are still many areas of the country that speak predominantly Welsh, and with a plethora of museums that seek to teach visitors about the unique culture of Wales, there is not shortage of learning experiences to be had. The whole family will love a visit to St. Fagan’s Museum just outside of Cardiff, where history is brought to life at Europe’s leading open-air museum.

Find a half-term holiday cottage in Wales now.

Be at One With Nature on Half-Term in Scotland

Scottish Highlands

via. Flickr

For families that are looking to get back to nature while on holiday, Scotland is the place to go in the UK. While Edinburgh and Glasgow are lovely, if you head up beyond the two major cities you will be wowed by the stark beauty of the Highlands of Scotland, one of the most untouched areas left in the UK. Take the kids on a bush craft course and learn how to live off the land, or simply spend your days relaxing in the tranquility of the natural area.

Take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in Scotland and find the perfect one for you and the family.

No matter where you head in the UK, city or country, wild or cosmopolitan, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. Start planning the perfect family half-term holiday today and have your pick of accommodation – don’t delay, it’s sure to book up fast!

 

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