Chestnut and Culls Cottage, Eco Chic Cottages Gloucestershire
Culls Cottage is a quintessentially Cotswold Cottage dating from 1670 that combines all the charm of the past with modern fittings and luxurious extras. Its larger sister property The Chestnuts, is a stylishly furnished traditional stone cottage with original artworks, two lounges and three bathrooms. Guests staying in both these properties are guaranteed to stay toasty with traditional inglenook fireplaces, wood burners and underfloor heating.
Glorious autumn walks over the fields can be enjoyed direct from the door and historic Burford, Lechlade, Blenheim Place and The Ashmoleum Museum are within easy reach. A week’s stay in Chestnut Cottage which sleeps eight starts from £1207 and a short break from £682.50. A week’s stay in Culls Cottage for six guests starts from £1081.50, and a short break from £669.50. (www.premiercottages.co.uk,07860 337763)
Claypot Cottage, Gloucestershire
Claypot Cottage is a gorgeous Grade II listed Cotswold stone cottage with an award-winning garden in the heart of a pretty village with a cosy gastro pub just 40 yards away.
The quintessential cottage has undergone a total refurbishment but retains bags of character with an inglenook fireplace and ancient beams as well as local artwork. Guests are spoilt on arrival with locally made products including Cotswold tea, coffee, fudge, and fresh flowers. A week’s stay in Claypot Cottage for five guests starts from £585 and a short break from £439. (www.premiercottages.co.uk, 01993 843559)
Middle Farm Cottages, Shropshire
Middle Farm cottages are tucked away on a smallholding on the North East slopes of the long Mynd. Guests share the farm with Soay sheep, British Lop piglets and mix of chickens and there’s a much loved local pub with crackling open fires and tasty home cooked food just half a mile away that’s perfect for the colder evenings.
Guests can also relax and cook outside here whatever the weather, thanks to a log burning barbecue area in courtyard’s 15th century byre. Included in the stay are the farm’s seasonal vegetables and succulent British Lop pork cuts and sausages can purchased on site. A week’s stay for two in either Gooseyard or Daisy’s Place starts from £380 and a three night short break from £270. (www.premiercottages.co.uk, 01694 751232)
Swainsley Farm, Staffordshire
Swainsley Farm is an idyllic hideaway in the hills of the Peak District National Park. It’s surrounded by wonderful scenery and there are great walks straight from the door. The Farm is steeped in history and offers three cottages, two with wood burning stoves to ensure guests are cosy and warm. The former 18th century farm buildings combine original features with 21st Century luxuries.
Each cottage has incredible views! Adult bikes are available at no charge for guests who would like to cycle the breathtaking scenery of the Manifold Trail. There are lots of historic houses and pretty villages to explore with wonderful pubs and places to eat close-by. On arrival you will be made welcome with tea, homemade jam and scones.
A week’s stay for two in the Old Byre costs from £425 and a three-night break from £323. The Haybarn costs from £525 per week and from £394 for a short break while the Coach House taking up to six guests costs from £595 per week with a short break from £446.
(www.premiercottages.co.uk, Tel: 01298 84530)
Bridge End Farm Cottages, Cumbria
Bridge End Farm Cottages is a cluster of four and five star 500 year old grade II listed cottages set in the delightful village of Boot, in the glorious Eskdale Valley.
There are two lovely pubs a short stroll from here both serving great food. Also within walking distance are: Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain; dramatic Wastwater, its deepest lake and Stanely Force waterfall, often described as “Lakeland’s Loveliest”. There’s also a choice of sandy beaches nearby.
Bridge End’s Farmhouse sleeps eight and is bursting with character. A new wood burning stove in the property’s lounge ensures it stays toasty in all weathers.
Former bothy, Stanley Ghyll, is a romantic and cosy cottage for two featuring an upstairs snug with superb fell views.
A week’s stay in Stanley Ghyl Cottage for two guests costs from £700 and a short break from £390. Alternatively a week in sleeps eight Bridge End Farmhouse starts from £980 and from £660 for a short break.(www.premiercottages.co.uk, 07739 905600)
Aberfelin, Porthgain, Pembrokeshire
The North Pembrokeshire coast offers a wonderful destination for walkers, couples and dog-lovers to enjoy beautiful beaches, cliff-top walks and dramatic coastal scenery. Aberfelin is a one bedroom stone barn conversion, just a short distance from the pretty harbour village of Porthgain, and is an idyllic bolt-hole by the sea. This dog-friendly cottage is surrounded by a pretty garden, with views across to the sea and inside, underfloor heating throughout makes it a cosy retreat on cooler evenings.
Walkers can join the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path close to the cottage and explore on foot the pretty beaches including Abereiddi, Abermawr and Abercastle, while adventurers can sample a variety of water sports from Porthgain. Alternatively, the village offers a choice of excellent places to eat, as well as galleries showcasing local art. The sweeping beach at Whitesands, the cathedral city of St Davids and the harbour at Fishguard are all within a short drive, while inland there are more walks to enjoy in the dramatic Preseli Hills. Quality Cottages can offer seven night stays at Aberfelin this autumn from £438, based on two sharing on self-catering basis. (www.qualitycottages.co.uk 01348 837871)
Mawgan Porth Apartments, Cornwall
Just moments from the golden sandy beach at Mawgan Porth, the Mawgan Porth Apartments are five contemporary self-catering apartments, which re-opened this summer following extensive refurbishment and are ideally located for exploring Cornwall's north coast. The apartments offer spacious, open-plan living in one, two and three bedroom apartments close to the beachfront. All have well-equipped kitchens and the latest comforts including USB points in many of the rooms and free WiFi throughout. Most of the apartments have balconies or a patio, while one (dog-friendly property) has a small private garden too.
Mawgan Porth is a popular spot for families of all ages, walkers keen to explore the coastal paths, and water sports enthusiasts, plus Padstow, Newquay and Watergate Bay are within a short drive. The apartments also offer a great base for enjoying many of Cornwall's best autumn events, which range from foodie favourites such as the Newquay Fish Festival, to the exhilarating ThunderCat Racing National Championships at Watergate Bay.
A four night break in a one bedroom apartment will cost from £312, based on up to four sharing on self catering basis, including a 20% discount for stays in September and October. (www.watergatebay.com 01621 787704)
Devon Country Barns, Thrushell Valley
The charming Thrushell valley near Launceston is home to Devon Country Barns. Situated within 12 acres of green pasture with river frontage, this gorgeous retreat has five luxurious dog friendly properties that are within easy reach of the North Cornwall Coast, Bodmin and Dartmoor.
Each cottage has a private outdoor hot tub and roaring log burner to ensure that guests remain cosy throughout their stay. For an extra charge they can come with a red or silver Jaguar E-Type – perfect for exploring Devon’s country lanes.
A week’s stay for two costs from £900 and a three-night night break from £500. (www.premiercottages.co.uk, 07500702248) Hire an E-Type from £395 per day or £695 for the weekend.
Orwell View Barns, Suffolk
Orwell View Barns are three dog and eco-friendly barn conversions which combine luxurious accommodation with reclaimed brickwork and vaulted ceilings in a secluded, idyllic farmyard setting offering glorious uninterrupted views of the River Orwell.
Outside there’s 700 acres of farmland to explore that’s teeming with wildlife. There’s also plenty of walks to be enjoyed from the cottages and two traditional pubs are within walking distance.
At the end of an active day outdoors guests can warm up in the luxuriously large shared outdoor hot-tub or challenge each other in the toasty warm games room. A seven-night stay for up to six starts from £600 or from £450 for a short break. (www.premiercottages.co.uk, 01473 788497)
Breamish Valley Cottages, Northumberland
Breamish Valley Cottages offers a number of traditional stone built country cottages in the farming hamlet of Branton. The properties sit at the foot of the Cheviot Hills near Alnwick on the edge of Northumberland National Park. Each cottage has a woodburning stove making them great for autumn and winter stays and facilities on site are extensive with tennis courts, a gym, nine-hole crazy golf putting course, plus a spa and a cedar hot tub.
A week’s stay at Breamish’s Souterpot costs from £695 for six, alternatively a week’s stay in Breamish’s Night Fold, which sleeps four, costs from just £415. (www.premiercottages.com, 01665 578263)
Spring Hill Cottage, Elan Valley, Mid Wales
Surrounded by vast open countryside in the heart of the Elan Valley, Spring Hill Cottage is a beautifully presented and spacious two bedroom cottage, providing breath-taking views and direct access to walking paths, cycle trails and bridleways. The stylish interior is complimented by traditional touches such as wooden-beamed ceilings and exposed stone-walls, creating an attractive and comfortable holiday home.
The Elan Valley is a peaceful wildlife haven known for its bird life including red kite, osprey, goshawk, kestrel, peregrines and more, and the Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Centre is nearby, with opportunities to see these spectacular birds close up. There are six dams in the area which mean beautiful watery reflections of the autumn hues that spread across the surrounding woodlands - perfect for walking, soaking up the peace and quiet, and retreating to a cosy tea room or pub at the end of a long day.
The ancient market town of Rhayader is just two miles away and is steeped in Welsh history, at the crossroads of ancient routes from the four corners of the country.
Quality Cottages can offer seven night stays at Spring Hill Cottage this autumn from £479, for up to four people sharing on self-catering basis. (www.qualitycottages.co.uk 01348 837871)