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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.

Linen must be requested at the time of booking and it is rare to find that cot linen is provided. You will want the extra space, and a property sleeping 4 people will have a lot less room than properties sleeping up to 6 people. 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. You need to practice and a holiday is a great time to spend time learning the music that you don't normally have time for. So check if there is a piano, maybe even a grand piano or baby grand.

Holidays like half term, Christmas, Easter, May bank holiday, summer holiday and new year are a great time to take your remaining holiday entitlement at work and just take a few days well earned break. If you want a short break in a holiday cottage then you need to think about logistics. When should you book your short break, and what do you need to bring with you, such as bedding, towels and kitchen implements like knives and forks. If your cottage in Ireland or France then you need to think about your ferry journey across the Irish sea or across the English Channel from sea port to foreign climes. If any accidents happen while you are staying at your rented holiday cottage then these will need to be paid for, unless you have specific insurance coverage in place. Before you arrive your cottage will have been cleaned and any missing items noted or replaced so if you find any deficiencies or damage on arrival that have not been noted it is in your own interest to notify the cottage owner or caretaker.

Payment for cottage holidays usually require a deposit of part of the rental price plus a booking fee and any extras. The balance is payable some time before your holiday starts. Late bookings require payment up front. The number of people occupying a rented cottage property should not exceed the number stated in the property description. Should the party occupying the property exceed the number stipulated the owner might have the right to ask you to leave the property immediately so you should check the terms and conditions. Most cottages are provided with linen in the rental price. Some others make a small additional charge for linen hire for each person per week. You should check the description of your cottage to make sure, because you might want to bring your own instead. If you are providing your own linen you should check with the cottage owner or caretaker what is required. If you bring your own towels and tea towels then that might be a good idea. Where towels are provided, they must not be taken home from the property, and you should remember to bring your own beach towels. Cot linen is usually not provided because you are sure to want to bring your own. Cottage Holidays in the UK :: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Occasionally you will find an abbreviation within a property's descriptive text and many people get confused, wondering what they all mean. Here is an explanation of the abbreviations and you might come across some more that are not listed: Many cottages have gardens where you can enjoy peace and privacy and do some well earned sun bathing as long as you use sun tan lotion to protect your skin. 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. Cottage Holidays in the UK :: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

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. You need to practice and a holiday is a great time to spend time learning the music that you don't normally have time for. So check if there is a piano, maybe even a grand piano or baby grand. Sometimes though wheelchair users may need assistance from an able bodied member of the party for some manoeuvres. 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 should also pay a visit to the local branch of the tourist information service to get up to day information about local events, attractions, gardens, castles, country houses and fun fairs. Fortnight bookings are still available in many months, with Summer the most sought after, followed by Autumn, Spring and then Winter. Cottages should cleaned between lets and this means you only need to unpack when you arrive, put the kettle on and have a refreshing cup of tea, and explore your cottage and the surrounding countryside. There may be no extra charge for cleaning services, but often you will be expected to pay a notional amount. 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.

On a cottage holiday as soon as you climb into your car you can start your adventure. Your accommodation should be prepared and waiting for you, and as long as you have a map that gives you good directions showing how to get there it should be a breeze. 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. Do you want to go in the Autumn, Summer, Winter or Spring? Remember that a summer holiday in the UK will be hot and sunny especially in June, July, August, or September. 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.

If the property has open fires, make sure that you use the fireguard and check that the fire is safely out before you go to bed, and do not smoke in bed as this is extremely dangerous. Any property you rent for a holiday should have a full description of services and facilities available. A virtual tour of a holiday cottage is a great way of finding cottages that meet all your needs, maybe with panoramic country views, or special kitchen facilities, a hot tub or a Jacuzzi bath. Changes to a holiday that you have booked might involve additional paper work and require the booking company to contact the owner of the holiday property so to cover these additional costs you might be asked to pay a small administration fee. The thing is though, it is better to have exactly the right holiday, so don’t worry about making changes. 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.

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Privately owned properties around the UK :: music to your ears 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. Linen must be requested at the time of booking and it is rare to find that cot linen is provided. 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.

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. 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 may want a music room that is fully equipped with a cello, double bass, bassoon or organ. Don't forget to check! Alternatively you can take your own musical instrument along with you. 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.

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. How many bedrooms has the cottage got? Can it sleep a party of two, three, four or five, or groups of friends with children who have six, seven, eight, nine or ten people with babies and toddlers who need to have special sleeping arrangements. 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. 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.

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. How do you locate the cottage that you want to take your holiday in? Sometimes though wheelchair users may need assistance from an able bodied member of the party for some manoeuvres. 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.

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