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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Sykes’ Spotlight on Hay-on-Wye

May 13th, 2013

While the small town of Hay-on-Wye may be known as the ‘Town of Books’, this borderland town offers a wealth of attractions for the holidaymaker, book lover or not. Here’s our guide to this small but charming town located in the very north of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

 

Find a holiday cottage in Hay-on-Wye

 

Curl up with a good book on holiday

No mention of Hay-on-Wye would be complete without reference to the town’s literary connections.  The town itself has more than thirty second-hand bookshops, that’s a human to shop ratio of about 50:1, making it the perfect place to rummage around for that prized first edition.  The town comes alive in early summer when thousands of bookworms descend for the famous literary festival.  This year’s Hay Festival begins on 23rd June and promises 11 days of talks and workshops covering topics from science through to philosophy and everything in between.  In addition to literary favourites such as Quentin Blake, Irvine Welsh and Caitlin Moran, there is also a walking festival and a wealth of children’s activities from cooking to vocal coaching.

 
Make-do book shop in Hay-on-Wye
 

Experience the great outdoors from your holiday cottage

Given that Hay-on-Wye lies in the Brecon Beacons National Park, it comes as little surprise that the surrounding area is equally fantastic for those looking for an active break.  Offa’s Dyke, a 177 mile national trail, passes through Hay-on-Wye and offers keen walkers an opportunity to walk on a path with more than 1200 years of history.  The National Park Authority arranges guided walks suitable for all abilities through the Brecons and the area is also popular with mountain bikers.  You can even try your hand at gorge walking and hang gliding from the Hay Bluff!  For budding astronomers, the National Park is also one of the only dark sky reserves in the world; where better to train your telescope on a dark night and relax under a blanket of stars?  You could also take a look at our selection of cottages in the Brecon Beacons, ideally located for an active holiday.

 
brecon beacons, wales
 

Great days out near Hay-on-Wye

It’s not just old and dusty books you’ll find in Hay-on-Wye but a number of crumbling castles and pretty churches just a short drive away from the town.  Arthur’s Stone is a fantastic family day for those with an active imagination.  This Neolithic burial chamber is more than 5000 years old and is said that King Arthur slew a giant here.  Given Hay’s position on the English and Welsh border, it’s little wonder that this area has seen a very bloody history.  Very little remains of the town’s castle today but the habitable sections are today the home of numerous second-hand books; what better marriage of history and books in this literary town?

 
Hay Castle
 

Inspired to make the literary pilgrimage to Hay for the festival?  Why not take a look at our holiday cottages which are perfectly located for the festival and the surrounding borderlands.  You could even choose the aptly-named Poet’s Corner for your holiday to Hay!

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Sunday Snapshots: Knapdale, Argyll

May 12th, 2013

Today’s Sunday Snapshot is of a rather cute beaver swimming in Knapdale in the Scottish Highlands. After being extinct for more than 400 years, wild beavers have been gradually reintroduced since 2009 in this part of Scotland in a trial which is the first of its kind in the UK. The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Forest Commission Scotland and is well supported by local businesses. Four beaver families were introduced in 2009 and there are signs of beaver activity throughout Knapdale Forest. Signs of beaver activity are evident as you stroll through the forest from gnawed trees to a beaver dam. Time your visit before sunrise or after sunset for the best chance of spotting beavers in this beautiful habitat. More information about the trial itself can be found by visiting the Scottish Beaver Trial website where you can also find out about guided walks and download children’s activities.

If this has got you thinking about taking a trip to see the beavers in Knapdale, why not take a look at our Argyll cottages?

 

 

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Support the Sykes Cottages Team in the Three Peaks Challenge

May 10th, 2013

In only 26 days a hearty team of walkers from Sykes Cottages HQ will be heading into deepest darkest Yorkshire to tackle the local Three Peaks Challenge. This is no walk in the park, it’s an epic 25 mile hike that will take the walkers over three towers peaks in the Pennine range, Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Obviously this challenge isn’t for the feint of heart and the team has been training hard for the past month in order to get themselves fighting fit.

Pen-Y-Ghent

Pen-Y-Ghent looms in the distance. Via. Flickr

The Sykes Cottages team aren’t just doing this for the personal challenge, however. The eleven strong team are hoping to raise a boat load of money for two worthwhile charities, Claire House and the Children Today Charitable Trust. To this end, a donation page has been set up so that friends, family, colleagues, and Sykes Cottages customers can make a donation and cheer the team along. Any amount that can be spared will be greatly appreciated, and as the saying goes, every penny counts!

 

Make a Donation to the Sykes Team!

 

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will stay these hearty souls from the completion of their mission and all of us who remain back at HQ will be cheering them on from afar.

If you would like to make a donation head over to the donation page to pledge whatever you can spare. Together we can make a difference and raise some much needed funds for these great charities.

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Top National Parks to Visit in the UK

May 8th, 2013

Last night on ITV a new series about National Parks in the UK began, hosted by actress Caroline Quentin. The three-part series sees Quentin, famed for her roles in hit television shows such as Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek, travelling across the UK, visiting some of the best parks in the UK and learning all about the area from those with a passion for conservation.

“It’s over 60 years since our first National Park was created and they remain as stunning and as popular as ever.”  –Caroline Quentin

Inspired by Quentin’s adventures across the majestic National Parks of England, Scotland, and Wales we’ve decided to highlight some of our favourite UK National Parks. So, stop planning that trip abroad for a few minutes and take a look at some of the areas of breathtaking natural beauty that are right here on our doorstep.

Snowdonia National Park – North Wales

Snowdonia National Park - Cader Idris

via. Flickr

Set in the North-West of Wales you’ll find Snowdonia National Park, the first designated National Park in Wales. Here, 832 square miles of rugged beauty is dominated by the towering peak of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain peak in Wales. With over 6 million visitors a year Snowdonia is the third most visited National Park in England and Wales, but don’t worry that you’ll feel like you’re just one in a million, there’s more than enough room for everyone!

Find out about all that you can do in Snowdonia by downloading Enjoy Snowdonia, the National Park Authority’s new Snowdonia information app.

Looking for accommodation in the park? Take a look at our selection of Snowdonia holiday cottages.

Lake District National Park – North West England

Lake District National Park

via. Flickr

The Lake District is one of the most famous regions of the country, and with good reason. Here you’ll be treated to one of the most beautiful landscapes you’ve ever laid eyes on  – green rolling hills dotted with ancient farm houses, crystal clear waters, and cloud scraping mountains. Whether you’re an outdoor lover, or like to stick closer to civilization, the Lake District has something for you. Head out on the trails around the lakes, or spend your days poking through shops in the quaint towns of Windermere, Kendal, and Keswick.

For all your Lake District info visit Go Lakes, the official Lake District Tourist Board website.

Make your trip a long one and book yourself a great Lake District holiday cottages. We have a great selection to choose from, and all at competitive prices.

Dartmoor National Park – South West England

Early morning on Sharpitor - Dartmoor National Park

via. Flickr

If it’s natural drama that you’re looking for, Dartmoor National Park is the place for you. Sweeping moorlands and granite uplands merge together to create a landscape like no other. Dartmoor is a walkers paradise and the public enjoy extensive access rights throughout the park. This allows visitors to fully explore all of the local tors, standing stones, stone circles, and other historical sites litter throughout the park, as well as maybe getting up close and personal with the resident ponies. Just be careful that you don’t get caught out after dark though, the park is reputedly the haunt of pixies, a headless horseman, a mysterious pack of “spectral hounds”, and a large black dog.

Find out all about the right of way rules for walking throughout the park by visiting the Dartmoor National Park Authority website.

Get away from all of the park ghosts and ghouls by tucking yourself up in a Dartmoor holiday cottage before nightfall, you’ll be happy that you did!

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