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If you want a house in the country sleeping 8 or more people you need to seriously think about all the accommodation details if you need to cater for a party that size.

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We are only concerned with making sure you are completely safe on your cottage holidays so do not swim or go into the pool under the influence of alcohol or immediately after eating a meal. A Welsh borders cottage is likely to be built from sturdy grey local stone, while a traditional holiday cottage in Scotland will be in a town or village, or maybe in the heart of the countryside, with magnificent views of mountains, valleys and lochs. If you are taking your car, motor home, cycles or MPV you need to make sure that parking arrangements are satisfactory. Maybe you need off street parking, and it is normal in the country side to find that off road parking is standard. What parking and access is provided with rental holiday cottages? If private off road parking is provided then this should be stated as one of the amenities, in the cottage description. There should be an indication whether there is plenty of room or space for only one car. If the parking facilities are on the street or in a nearby public car park then this should be clearly stated. Many properties are in unique rural settings and access may not be on a metalled road. If access to the property is particularly difficult then this should be made clear in the details that are given to you. Some rustic country tracks may be challenging or unsuitable for vehicles with low ground clearance such as sports cars, but passable by four wheel drive 4wd cars like Land Rovers. If you have a vehicle with little clearance or have any other concerns about parking then it is worth getting in touch with the cottage owners or the booking company just to make sure.

Many people ask whether properties are suitable for disabled people, whether walking disabled, in a wheelchair needing access using a ramp or are severly disabled, and we often find that the suitability of a property for the disabled is indicated in the property description. Cots and high chairs have to conform to British safety standards so if they are damaged or deficient in any way, then tell the owner. Look out for glass patio doors or glazed interior doors - they should have stickers at adult and child eye height. If you are unsure of how to use the any electrical appliances please ask the cottage owner or caretaker, and if your property has night storage heaters, these must never be covered. Some properties have internal stairs so if you really need a bungalow to take your holiday that has no steps and have at least one bedroom and one bathroom on the ground floor. Some properties participate in the Tourist Board National Accessible scheme which is great news for visitors with all forms of disability.

The legal details of your agreement to rent your cottage are very important as they form a formal contract. The Booking conditions or contractual terms for your hire should be very clearly stated. Keep young children off balconies and if there is a garden pond, ensure that children cannot access it. Look out for any steep drops in the garden and if there are garden sheds or outbuildings, ensure that children cannot get in them. Carefully wrapped in its case, such as a guitar, trumpet (you don't get much chance to practice these instruments at home, eh?) or something more unusual like a basoon, flute or clarinet. Your booking confirmation should come to you after you have booked your property and you need to know that your cottage is available for your holiday in plenty of time so you can book time off work.

Make sure that you know when you should arrive and depart your holiday cottage. Most holiday lettings start at 3.00 pm on the first day of your holiday and end at 10.00 am on the day of departure unless otherwise specified in the cottage description. Saturdays are sometimes different, so it is wise to check. This ensures that the owner or housekeeper has plenty of time to prepare the cottage for the next set of guests. You should contact the owner or caretaker at least two days before setting off to discuss the time of arrival and key collection details. Because cottages are often in peaceful villages you will often be able to agree to leave the key under the door mat, something you would not consider doing in a busy town. Remember a highchair and cot, along with bedding and sterilisation equipment, along with nappy changing facilities and a potty. Regardless of size, age and location in the UK, all holiday cottages should have hot water, bathrooms with shower and flushing toilets. Kitchens should have all of the utensils and appliances you would expect for every day use such as a microwave, tumble drier, washing machine and blender. Well furnished sitting rooms should have enough comfortable chairs for the maximum number of people renting the holiday cottage to be accommodated and so will the dining table. There may also be a colour TV. If you look at the photographs of your chosen holiday cottage online you should get a reasonable idea of the type of facilities that are provided. You will find details with each self catering holiday property and you just need to make sure you keep your pets off the furniture and remove pet hairs from carpets before you leave. You should exercise your pets outside the garden, maybe in a local park, by the seaside, or in rolling hills and fields.

Taking the safety and well being of holiday makers very seriously, properties need to be well maintained for your comfort and safety. Nevertheless, please remember that when you are in unfamiliar surroundings, you must take special care of yourself and your family. You have the freedom to tailor your own break and this is a unique part of a cottage holiday experience, and for many visitors to a small friendly country village it's a great excuse to spend time exploring the area and meeting the locals. Equipment in the children's playgrounds should be safe and in good condition. The surface of the play area should be soft with sand, soft earth or wood chippings. If you have a baby or several babies in your party then you need. At present, availability in the following months is very good: Easter, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, Weekend breaks, Bank holiday weekend, Easter week 2010, Christmas week 2010 and New Year week 2011.

If there is a phone number to call you on the owners of your rented cottage will be able to keep in touch and give you travel directions to your holidaycottage. Although not every holiday cottage is equipped to the same standard, all holiday properties should have everything you need for an enjoyable holiday and many offer far more than most might expect. From modern minimalist furnishings and equipment with every convenience, to traditional farmhouses with slate flooring and a huge roaring AGA, there are thousands of variations to choose from. You need to check which insurance and cancellation scheme coverage is provided with your cottage, because you may or may not be covered for the cost of your rent and any additional booking fees if you have to come home early for some unexpected reason. A Welsh borders cottage is likely to be built from sturdy grey local stone, while a traditional holiday cottage in Scotland will be in a town or village, or maybe in the heart of the countryside, with magnificent views of mountains, valleys and lochs.

Pets are allowed in some cottages so you should check the description of the property. The owners of your rented property will not accept responsibility for the safety of your pets and they are only accepted on the understanding that they are kept under control, exercised off the premises, kept out of bedrooms and off the furniture and that they are never left in the property unattended. In a self-catering cottage you will find most of the standard appliances you would expect to have at home including a washing machine, fridge, freezer, tumble drier, microwave, iron and ironing board. You should also not take breakable glasses or other utensils into the pool area. Do not swim at night or when the pool is closed. Always supervise children. When you see the phrase 'Easy walking access' means that a visitor using a walking aid should have no difficulty in gaining access to the principal rooms and garden whereas 'wheelchair access' means that a visitor in a wheelchair should always be able to gain access to the principal rooms and garden.

When you have decided on a general location in the UK you need to move on to think about which county, town or village, and decide whether the holiday cottage you choose is available at the time of year you want to take your holiday. Pets are allowed in some cottages so you should check the description of the property. The owners of your rented property will not accept responsibility for the safety of your pets and they are only accepted on the understanding that they are kept under control, exercised off the premises, kept out of bedrooms and off the furniture and that they are never left in the property unattended. Cottage holidays in the UK now are just a click away. You want to see a vast range of cottages for your holiday and you have probably got some questions you would like answered before you make your booking. Short breaks could be one or 2 nights long and start on a Friday or Saturday, and end on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.


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At present, availability in the following months is very good: Easter, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, Weekend breaks, Bank holiday weekend, Easter week 2010, Christmas week 2010 and New Year week 2011. If you want to take extra people, and arrive early you might need to agree with the person who you are renting the cottage from that this is OK. You must vacate the property on time on the last day, and most property owners provide linen at no extra charge while some prefer to hire out their linen by the week. Your property should be regularly inspected and you need to be able to rest assured that only the best quality properties are on offer. When you have paid for you holiday in full, you will be given details of how to find your holidaycottage, and where to collect your keys on arrival. Searching for your cottage will give you lots of options and it is important to think of everything, because it is usually the small details that make all the difference about whether you look back on your holiday with good memories, or end up wishing you had found a more satisfactory cottage to take your well earned break.

Searching for your cottage will give you lots of options and it is important to think of everything, because it is usually the small details that make all the difference about whether you look back on your holiday with good memories, or end up wishing you had found a more satisfactory cottage to take your well earned break. You might need to pay the full amount up front or pay a deposit with the balance when you leave. Pets are welcome too, and if you take any other kind of holiday it could cost you a small fortune paying others to look after your pets while you are away. After all why leave them at home when they are one of the family? Many cottages accept pets and you can specify this as a requirement. Cottage Holidays in the UK :: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Taking the safety and well being of holiday makers very seriously, properties need to be well maintained for your comfort and safety. Nevertheless, please remember that when you are in unfamiliar surroundings, you must take special care of yourself and your family. Many country cottage properties welcome pets for a small additional charge per pet per week or short break, and you might do well to take your dog or cat rather than spend money on a kennel where your dogs might be unhappy, and your cats left feeling you don't love them. Keep young children off balconies and if there is a garden pond, ensure that children cannot access it. Look out for any steep drops in the garden and if there are garden sheds or outbuildings, ensure that children cannot get in them. Most holiday properties include fuel and power in the rental price. However, some cottages may have a coin meter or make a charge based on a meter reading at the end of your stay. Some may even charge extra for logs and coal provided for open fires and wood burning stoves, although you might want to bring your own fuel. Where there is a charge for fuel, this will should be made clear in the description of the cottage.

Please note that provision is made to accept guide dogs and service dogs at properties that do not normally allow pets. Remember a highchair and cot, along with bedding and sterilisation equipment, along with nappy changing facilities and a potty. You might need to pay the full amount up front or pay a deposit with the balance when you leave. Your booking confirmation should come to you after you have booked your property and you need to know that your cottage is available for your holiday in plenty of time so you can book time off work.

Holiday Cottages in the UK are usually in the more scenic rural counties but we have cottages for rental throughout the UK: