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Whatever the time of year, Britain is a great place to take a self-catering break. With a wealth of beautiful landscapes, including the coast and countryside, the hardest decision sometimes is deciding where to holiday. If you’re still weighing up your options and considering whether to enjoy a rural retreat break in the countryside or a fun getaway by the seaside, let us help guide you.
Top Coastal Areas in the UK and Ireland for Cottage Holidays
– The County Antrim Coast and the Giant’s Causeway
Inspirational Coastal Scenery at the Giants Causeway
Let the magic of Ireland beguile you on a self-catering break along the County Antrim coast. This unique and truly special area with its fascinating cliffs and other worldly qualities is a great place to holiday. Ideal for those who love walking and for keen painters and photographers, the scenes at the Giant’s Causeway are worth capturing and treasuring. Right by the powerful Atlantic Ocean these cliffs are protected by National Trust. Enjoy the tranquillity, natural beauty and rich wildlife whilst on holiday in County Antrim.
– The Northumbrian Coast
Bamburgh’s Beautiful Beach and Coastline
With its historical castles, golden sandy beaches and scenic fishing villages, Northumbria’s coast is simply stunning. Children will enjoy building sandcastles on the beach and the wonderful great outdoors to be found in Northumberland. Days out can be enjoyed visiting this area’s many castles, some of which are right by the seaside, such as the majestic Bamburgh Castle which is located right by the beach’s sandy shores and Lindisfarne Castle at Holy Island.
Coastal cottages in Northumbria can be perfect for those looking to enjoy time by the seaside on holiday.
– The Aberdeenshire Coast
Experience the wonder and power of nature with a cottage holiday by Aberdeenshire’s coast. It is a little known fact that Aberdeenshire offers miles and miles of long, sandy beaches, ideal for walks, paddling and family fun. Kids can find jumping from the sand dunes great fun. Some of the magic of this part of Scotland is its wild, unspoilt and untouched nature. Few people holiday here so if you are looking for solitude and a chance to get away from the crowds, Aberdeenshire may be perfect for you! For those keen to learn about Scottish history, visit Aberdeenshire’s many fascinating castles on days out, and learn why this area of Scotland is known as Castle Country.
Top Countryside Areas in the UK and Ireland
– Britain’s National Parks
For truly stunning scenery and inspirational landscapes, the UK and Ireland’s National Parks have to offer some of the best countryside. For walks, wildlife watching, horse riding and cycling, these are wonderful places to explore and popular holiday areas. Whether you choose to holiday in one of England’s National Parks or elsewhere in the UK, you should find the scenery on offer in these parks just wonderful.
– Britain’s Forests
The UK and Ireland are home to many woodlands and forests. Many are protected and managed by the Woodlands Trust where you will find paths to guide you along forest trails, car parking facilities, cafes and cycle lanes. Although parking is seldom free at these woodlands, the fees do help to fund the great work that the Woodlands Trust does to ensure that within the UK and Ireland we have these wonderfully green and wooded areas to explore and enjoy both at home and when away.
– Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Chiltern Hills, with stunning countryside and woodlands
With a total of 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) to be found in the UK, you should never be short of choices or new areas to discover. These areas tend to be rural areas with stunning countryside but some are areas which are close to the coast where you really can enjoy the best of both worlds during a break away. There are many public footpaths and bridleways which criss-cross across these stunning landscapes. Don’t forget your camera!
Find a cottage in one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
