The UK may not be the most obvious of locations for surfing but recent decades have seen surfing become one of the most exciting water sports on English shores. Cornwall is undoubtedly the place to be for surfing in the UK, with more top surf beaches than you can shake a stick (or surf board) at. Here the Atlantic Ocean rolls onto golden beaches creating some of the best surfing conditions in Europe. So, slip on your wet suit, grab a board, and head to Cornwall to splash in the waves!

Via. Flickr

When you’re thinking of somewhere for a great holiday, Cardiff may not be the first place you think of. But the Welsh capital is far from just the place to watch the rugby or for a stag do, look a little closer and you’ll be surprised by what you find!

Culture vulture

The best thing about choosing a cottage holiday in Cardiff is that once you’ve made it to the city, you can reach virtually everything on foot or by public transport.  So, where to begin?  Cardiff Castle which dominates the city centre has to be your first port of call.  There’s more than 2000 years of history on this site and your day here will fly by.  Families will also want to visit the unusual Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay where the popular children’s author Roald Dahl was christened and today hosts a range of arts events.  Fans of Dr Who flock to Cardiff hoping for a glimpse of the doctor and his assistant or more likely to check out the Dr Who Experience in Cardiff Bay.  By just walking through the city centre you’re sure to spot some of the famous haunts of the Doctor; try Cardiff Castle or The Senedd in Cardiff Bay.  If you’re into sport, no visit to Cardiff would be complete without catching a match.  Rugby at the Millennium Stadium is an unmissable experience especially as chants of Delilah echo round the ground.

Foodie heaven

Cardiff is a great place to sample the very best food Wales has to offer.  The central market is your best bet with incredibly fresh laverbread and cockles on display next to delicious Welsh lamb.  If you’re more of a sweet tooth, head deeper into the market where sugar-dusted Welsh cakes are baked before your eyes.  Pick up some groceries from the market for an easy lunch at your Wales holiday cottage.  Wander through the quirky Victorian arcades which wind through the city centre and discover several independent eateries.  From a delicatessen bursting with more cheeses than you can shake a stick at to the best pasta you’ll find outside of Italy, there’s no doubt your mouth will be watering!  For a more cosmopolitan flavour, try Mermaid Quay at Cardiff Bay which has a great range bars and restaurants to choose from whilst you watch the sun go down.

Escape the city

If you get bored of city life, the Welsh countryside offers plenty to keep outdoors lovers of all ages entertained just a short journey from the capital.  A great way to experience the nearby Brecon Beacons from Cardiff is by bike; catch the bus with bike trailer from the city and in less than a couple of hours you can be on two wheels in one the UK’s most stunning National Parks.  Cycle the mainly traffic-free Taff Trail back to Cardiff along which the area’s mining heritage and outdoors life collide or just head home on the bus at the end of the day.  Or, find a holiday cottage in the Brecon Beacons and make the most of wonderful countryside on your doorstep.  Barry Island is another popular choice for a day trip especially with families or those on the trail of sitcom ‘Gavin and Stacey’.  Experience all the fun of the fair and a traditional seaside holiday with stripy deckchairs, amusement arcades and a tasty portion of fish and chips; delicious!

Has this got you thinking about a holiday to Wales?  Check out our great range of holiday properties throughout Wales today and look forward to your next holiday!

From everyone at Sykes Cottages, a very happy New Year to all of our customers and owners.

Here’s to a fantastic 2013!

Ask a foreigner about British food and they’ll trot out the same usual clichés…fish and chips, roast beef and a fry up.  But, delve a little deeper into British cuisine and you’ll find our nation choc-full of excellent local produce and tasty regional dishes.  And, we’re a growing nation of ‘foodies’ with many of us frequenting farm shops, fancy delis and food festivals throughout the year.  So, sit back and enjoy a little taste of some of the more unusual treats the UK has to offer…

Stargazey Pie

While Cornwall may be more famous for the pasty or the traditional cream tea, Stargazey Pie is well deserving of a place on the region’s food map.  Legend has it that in the 1500s the harbour of Mousehole was shut due to a huge storm.  During a temporary lull in the storm, a local man by the name of Tom Bawcock managed to catch enough fish to keep the village from starving.  The Stargazey Pie was made in his honour and Tom Bawcock’s Eve is still celebrated with great enthusiasm on December 23^rd.  The pastry lid of this pie is pierced by the heads and tails of mackerel or pilchards gazing at the stars with a filling of fish, potatoes and eggs.  Visit this part of Cornwall just before Christmas and apart from tasting the best Stargazey Pie around, you’ll also find the harbour and surrounding houses decorated to the nines for Christmas.

Butter Pie

You may well assume that butter is an ingredient for pastry rather than a flavouring, but head to the North West of England and prepare to be proven wrong.  Created for Lancashire workers to eat on a Friday, the pie is also known as ‘Catholic Pie’ or ‘Friday Pie’ and contains potatoes, onions and of course, butter.  The pie remains popular today with Lancashire locals eager for a taste of years gone by.  Enjoy a Lancashire holiday with a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, award-winning golf courses and of course, the butter pie!

Fidget Pie

Traditionally a Shropshire favourite more than 400 years ago, Fidget Pie now graces the menus of fancy gastro pubs the length and breadth of the UK.  In reality, this is the Shropshire equivalent of the Cornish pasty; a portable lunch for farm labourers bringing in the harvest.  The traditional fidget pie is pastry filled with a combination of gammon, cheese, apples and cider topped with a pastry lid.  The modern version is sometimes topped with mustard mashed potato but whichever you try it’s sure to be delicious.  Find the birthplace of the Fidget Pie in the foodie capital of Shropshire, Ludlow where you’ll also find a very popular food festival which is held each September within the castle grounds.  Find a holiday cottage in Shropshire and make the most of the tempting delights on offer.

Choose a self-catering holiday cottage in the UK or Ireland and spend your time bouncing from farmer’s market to cosy tearoom to award-winning restaurant; I can’t think of a better way to spend a few days in the UK.