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Carlisle is the capital of Cumbria with over 2000 years of heritage.  It is a vibrant town with a centre of modern shops, pavement cafes and leisure facilities that rivals most other cities in the north of England.   The majestic cathedral with its 14th century stained glass east window and magnificently decorated ceiling is within a few minutes walk of the spacious pedestrianised Greenmarket - a focal point for street entertainment, farmers’ markets and Christmas celebrations.  Tullie House Museum brings Carlisle’s history and heritage to life, while visitors to the formidable fortress of Carlisle Castle, one of the temporary addresses of Mary Queen of Scots,  can explore its many chambers and passageways.

The city’s elegant railway station serves four railway routes - the West Coast main line between Scotland and England, the Tyne Valley route to Newcastle, the Cumbria Coast Railway to Barrow-in-Furness, and the famous Settle to Carlisle railway which takes you on a 72 mile journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales.

Visit Carlisle Racecourse for an enjoyable day of flat or National Hunt racing.  Meander through the wonderful countryside around the Eden Valley, or travel a little further afield south to experience the magnificent Lake District and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Walk along the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail and around the beautiful surrounding areas or take a trip on a Hadrian’s Wall Bus, visiting some of the friendly market town and villages along the way.   Visit Birdoswald Roman Fort and find out about 2000 years of history in one of the most impressive locations on Hadrian’s wall.

With three circular routes to cater for all levels of cyclist, the Border Reivers Cycle Trail covers over 100 miles of spectacular and unspoilt countryside. Each route begins and ends in the market town of Longtown, on the picturesque River Esk just north of Carlisle.

Bessietown Courtyard Cottages are three tastefully converted cottages on an award winning farm.  Each cottage will sleep up to four people.

Totnes is a very special and unique market town in the heart of beautiful South Devon.  Comfortably placed in the rolling red-earthed hills of South Devon, Totnes is blessed with a fascinating history and stunning location on one of Britain’s most beautiful and historically significant waterways, the River Dart.

Totnes has a national reputation for its lively and diverse community and is a intriguing mix of historic market town and bohemian culture. There is truly something for everyone here.

The main street is reputed to have more listed buildings per head of population than any other town in Britain. The many heritage attractions of the town include the Town Mill, The Guildhall, The Devonshire Collection of Period Costume, Totnes Image Bank and Photographic Archive and Totnes Elizabethan Museum and Study Centre. There are many other notable buildings and monuments. They are all guarded by Totnes Castle, a classic Norman motte and bailey with commanding views of the Dart Valley.

Attractions nearby include Sharpham Vineyard & Cheese Dairy, the South Devon Steam Railway and Dartington Cider Press Centre which is a unique visitor centre with eating places, shops and workshops set in a beautiful village atmosphere.

Totnes is also an ideal base from which to explore Dartmoor National Park which is only 20 minutes away.

The Cottage and The Lodge are two self catering cottages on a farm at Ipplepen, 3 miles from Totnes.

On the edge of Snowdonia National Park and fifteen minutes from Bangor lies The Joys of LIfe Country and Wildlife Nature Park.  Set within the ten acres of grounds with woodland walks are two self catering cottages.  Hafan is a newly refurbished cottage designed for those in wheelchairs although it is equally suitable for able bodied guests.    Bryn Llys is a modern conversion of a traditional building, ideal for large family gatherings, it can sleep up to fourteen people and also offers a small lecture room and games room.

The cottages are an ideal base from which to explore the picturesque Snowdonia National Park.  Within a few miles is the North Wales coastline where there are several sandy beaches and water sports are available.

The South Downs is situated in the South East of England and is comprised of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs); East Hampshire and Sussex Downs.  The South Downs has a network of over 2000 miles of well-managed, well-signed and easily accessible trails. What better way to experience the sights and sounds of the area than by exploring on foot, horseback or bicycle. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the high chalk downland and the small fields and deep wooded valleys of the Weald. Discover the ancient history of the area with its Iron Age hill-forts, historic castles, charming old villages, and parish churches.  There is an abundance of stunning scenery to enjoy and countless country pubs waiting to offer you a warm welcome and a bite to eat.

The area close to busy Portsmouth, known as Meon Valley, is still a haven of peaceful landscapes and unspoilt villages.  The countryside varies from Portsdown Hill, a nature reserve with lovely views out to sea, and the ancient Royal Forest of Bere, a favourite hunting ground of monarchs from the Saxon kings to Charles II, and there are miles of trails for walker, cyclists and horse rider.

Picturesque villages include Hambledon, known as ‘the cradle of cricket’, and Rowlands Castle, once the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen.  There are fascinating places to visit too, from the Iron Age Butser Farm with buildings, structures, animals and crops of the time and grand Stansted House which gives a fascinating insight into Edwardian life on a country estate both above and below stairs to the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson.

Lone Barn Cottage, in the village of Catherington, is ideally placed for visiting all that the South Downs has to offer.  Set within the courtyard of Lone Barn, it can sleep six people.

Kincraig and its neighbouring communities of Alvie, Insh and Feshiebridge lie at the heart of the Scottish Highlands within the Cairngorm National Park. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty containing some of Scotland’s most treasured landscapes and rare wildlife. Vast ancient forests, hidden lochs and heather clad moorlands flank the famous River Spey and its tributaries. The snow capped hills of the Cairngorm range provide a dramatic backdrop to Kincraig’s unique setting.

With Loch Insh at its centre there are plenty of year round outdoor activities and water sports for all the family; Gliding, Golf, Riding, Archery, Orienteering, and limitless cycling tracks are available throughout the seasons. A host of attractions for climbers and walkers are available in the Cairngorm National Park and in the Monadhliath Mountains from easy, short walks through picturesque woodland, to more challenging and remote areas for half-day and day treks into the hills.  Winter sports can be enjoyed in Scotland’s premier ski resort on the Cairngorms Mountains.
Surrounding estates can offer a variety of field sport activities, including grouse shooting, deer stalking and fishing on the river Spey.

Within the area there are also opportunities to visit Sheep Dog Trials and for the children keen to see animals, a trip to the Highland Wildlife Park is a must.  Historians can immerse themselves in local legend with many historic ruins, monuments and ancient battle sites. The Churches beside Lochs Alvie and Insh are listed buildings and are used regularly for worship.

The Strathspey Railway is Scotland’s steam railway in the Highlands.  The journey takes a 20 mile round trip between the stations of Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill.

At Feshiebridge March House offers Scandinavian style accommodation and can take up to 14 people.

Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain, was originally a settlement before the Romans came; the Romans were attacked and Colchester destroyed by Queen Boadicea in the year AD60. Following this setback the Romans built a wall around the town with a gateway (the arch still survives, as does parts of the wall).  William the Conqueror built a castle in the 11th century (still intact today), built over the remains of a Roman temple.

Colchester has many attractions for a family day out with museums, park, the castle and zoo as well as shopping. There are small specialist shops as well as well known stores.

Soak up calming views of the River Colne in the quaint waterfront towns of Wivenhoe and West Mersea. Visit Manningtree, England’s smallest town and Maldon famous for its culinary sea salt and Thames barges. Perhaps combine with a trip to Braintree Shopping Village for a few bargains en-route.  Take a breath of exhilarating sea air at a seaside resort by meandering out of Colchester into the Tendring peninsula. Choose elegant refined Frinton-on-Sea, wonderful for a Sunday stroll along the promenade to Walton-on-the-Naze or action packed Clacton-on-Sea next door with its pier packed full of fun.

Visit Stour Valley and the Dedham Vale, made famous by the great artist John Constable or tour the medieval wool towns such as Hadleigh and Lavenham.

Greenlands Barn at Great Tey, near Colchester, is a lovely beamed barn conversion that can sleep two people.  Spring Hall Cottage at Little Bentley, between Colchester and Harwich is a charming 200 year old thatched cottage that can sleep four.   Pond Cottage, between St Osyth and Clacton on Sea, is part of a Victorian farmhouse and can sleep four.

Minchinhampton  is on the edge of the Cotswolds, on a hill about 5 miles south east of Stroud. Once a centre of the woollen industry the market town dates back to the 14th century and has narrow streets that are lined with attractive mellow cotswold stone houses and cottages.  It is perhaps the least accessible of all Cotswold towns and villages, reached only by a narrow winding road that climbs upwards and travels across remote and windswept common land,  a recreation area for walkers and golfers. 

The Common is also used as grazing land for the cows of local farmers in the summer. On the Common are long parallel ditches and mounds which formed part of a large Iron Age fort. There are good views from the Common west over the Severn estuary into Wales, and east to the Golden Valley and further into the Cotswolds.

There are several historic sites in the area and Gatcombe Park, the home of H.R.H. Anne, Princess Royal, is just a short distance from Minchinhampton.

On the edge of Minchinhampton is The Woosack, a first floor coach house with timber beams throughout that can sleep two people.

The secluded village of Levisham is a traditional farming village and is tucked away amidst rolling hills and moorland with houses around the wide manicured village green.

The village is a gateway to some of the most dramatic scenery and best walking in the entire Yorkshire National Park. Nearby Levisham Estate offers 1359 hectares of spectacular moorland, woodland and farmland, owned by the National Park Authority. Walk for miles across the heather, discover the ruined Skelton Tower, admire the scenic Newtondale Valley or learn about the wealth of archaeology that make this place one of the largest Scheduled Monuments in England.

The Hole of Horcum is not far away and is probably the most photographed location in the National Park. Legend states that this huge natural amphitheatre was created by the giant Wade but really it was formed by rainwater seeping down through porous rock.

The North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway runs below the village, you can catch the train at Levisham Station or admire it from the many vantage points along its route.  Using the train allows people the flexibility to travel down to Pickering or up into Heartbeat country around Goathland and Grosmont.

Rectory House Cottages are two self catering cottages converted from a stone barn, each sleeping four people.

Frome is the fourth largest town in Somerset, and a wonderful centre from which to visit the surrounding area. It is an attractive market town built on steep hills with cobbled streets. Architecturally well preserved, there are more listed buildings in Frome than in any other Somerset town.
There are a wealth of historic and picturesque villages within a few miles of the town. Nunney and Farleigh Hungerford have romantic ruined castles. Mells is the home of the famous nursery rhyme Little Jack Horner and the burial place of war poet Siegfried Sassoon. Norton St Philip witnessed a skirmish in the Duke of Monmouth’s campaign which led to the last battle on English soil in 1685. Beckington and Rode also have many features of historic interest including fine parish churches.
Frome is ideally placed as a touring centre, within easy reach of Bath, Wells, Longleat, Stourhead and many more.

Within walking distance of the centre of Frome is Stonnwall Manor, a truly magnificent Grade 1 listed manor house that can sleep up to 19 people.   Set within the grounds of Stonnwall Manor is The Coach House which dates back to the 17th century and can sleep eight people.

Carved into the banks of the beautiful River Dart, historic Dartmouth has narrow streets, long flights of steps, overhanging medieval houses and old quays. The streets are full of galleries, restaurants and shops selling crafts, gifts and antiques and the views over the estuary are breathtaking. Be sure to walk the cobbled pavements of Bayards Cove, which looks much the same now as it did in the 16th century.

As a well as a popular boating centre with a famous regatta, Dartmouth is also a fishing port and fresh catches are traded on the quayside at Kingswear. This town is especially rich in buildings of historic and architectural interest, including the 17th century Butterwalk. Art galleries and fascinating shops abound in Foss Street to while away an hour or two. The Britannia Royal Naval College, prominent on the hillside, offers guided tours. Pleasure boat trips are a favourite pastime.  Travel upstream where much of the renowned TV series “The Onedin Line” was filmed, or
take the passenger ferry out to Dartmouth Castle or up river to Dittisham, Greenway (the holiday home of Agatha Christie or the historic town of Totnes in the summer months - you may make friends with our grey seals on the way!

Take a trip on the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, with steam trains running for 7 miles in Great Western tradition from Paignton along the spectacular Torbay coast to Churston and on through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear. The scenery is superb, with seascapes right across Lyme bay to Portland Bill on clear days.  Travel Torbay’s spectacular coast and the beautiful River Dart by steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then on to Dartmouth by passenger ferry. Combine this with a circular river cruise, or cruise up-river to Totnes and take an open-top bus back to Paignton for a complete day out.

Honeysuckle Barn is a stunning barn conversion set in seven acres at Hutcherleigh near Dartmouth that can sleep six people.