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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Holiday Cottage Hell!

85 replies

Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:29

Well…not really hell, but I’m going round in circles on various sites.

Think I might be chasing a unicorn, but I’m trying to find a holiday cottage that sleeps 8, max 2 hours from London, for mid August. It’s to be a treat for my dad who has had a horrible year including a cancer diagnosis.

Anyone have any recommendations for good places to look, or better yet a recommendation?

please save me from Airbnb’s clutches 😆

OP posts:
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11
cherryassam · 27/07/2023 22:31

I’m sure there must be something!

Some more info would be helpful:

  • 2 hours from which side of London or central?
  • 2 hours driving?
  • What’s your budget?
  • What dates are mid-August?
MixedBlessings · 27/07/2023 22:32

Holiday Cottage Hell?

HunterHearstHelmsley · 27/07/2023 22:33

Your budget is the big decider.

Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:36

Thank you - I probably should have added all this info!

2 hours driving from South London. Budget wise I think about £3000 is probably our max, and for a week starting from Sat 12 Aug (could do the Friday if that was a must!).

It’s all a bit last minute and I feel like everything good is gone! 🤦🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
Someoneonlyyouknow · 27/07/2023 22:38

All holiday cottages seem to be much more expensive this year. Are you not finding anything on the sites you are searching or not the right thing? Could you split between two properties if adjoining (so change your search criteria to 4 people)?

UndercoverCop · 27/07/2023 22:39

How important is it to have nearby amenities/towns is really rural ok?

oakleydoke · 27/07/2023 22:42

How about Aynho, Oxfordshire? Comes with a hot tub in beautiful countryside.

www.cottages.com/cottages/the-stalls

Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:43

Would like to be able to walk to a pub but don’t mind being out in the sticks, really just want to be able to enjoy each others company!

OP posts:
Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:44

And sorry - I realise this is a very first world problem to have and there are many people not having a holiday this year.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:45

UndercoverCop · 27/07/2023 22:43

This is nice - thank you! Have forwarded it to the family WhatsApp!

OP posts:
FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 27/07/2023 22:45

Do you need 4 or 5 bedrooms?

Madcats · 27/07/2023 22:46

What sort of place are you after?

National Trust or Landmark Trust might have historic places (but may a weekend or midweek versus 7 days).

Larger places tend to be harder to find in the school holidays.

Is there scope for you to book somewhere smaller plus a nearby budget hotel/airbnb?

Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:46

UndercoverCop · 27/07/2023 22:40

Thank you - Brighton is somewhere we’ve been lots on day trips so if possible we’d like to try somewhere else

OP posts:
CaptainBatEars · 27/07/2023 22:46

Try Rural Retreats, OP. Here's the search for your dates and 8 adults. Lots of possibilities:

https://www.ruralretreats.co.uk/late-availability?date=12-8-2023&adults=8&nights=6&range=6

https://www.ruralretreats.co.uk/late-availability?adults=8&date=12-8-2023&nights=6&range=6

Original poster
Frogonthelog · 27/07/2023 22:48

Madcats · 27/07/2023 22:46

What sort of place are you after?

National Trust or Landmark Trust might have historic places (but may a weekend or midweek versus 7 days).

Larger places tend to be harder to find in the school holidays.

Is there scope for you to book somewhere smaller plus a nearby budget hotel/airbnb?

I think I’m envisaging a nice house with space for us all to sit and eat together and then play games etc. hot tub sounds great but not essential at all. I have 2 small children so nothing too pristine 😆

OP posts:
cherryassam · 27/07/2023 22:50

Arundel
Hythe
Sittingbourne
Hawkhurst

TheHorneSection · 27/07/2023 22:53

If you could move it to the 7th you could house sit for us!

Olinguito · 27/07/2023 23:09

I just saw a notification that this cottage in Swanage has had a late cancellation for your week:

White Sands Pet Friendly Sea View Swanage

Pet Friendly Sea View Swanage, stunning holiday home in prime seaside location.

https://dhcottages.co.uk/pet-friendly-sea-view-swanage

Wildmoors · 27/07/2023 23:10

Hoseseasons - search lodges, could split the party but be on the same site. Some lovely sites and a lot more reasonable then air bnbs which imo have become absolutely ridiculous