Holiday Cottage Hell!

[Frogonthelog]

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 😆

August this year???
ime the decent big cottages do tend to get booked up in holidays quite far in advance. I think that will be why you’re up against it

This might sound mad but hear me out…

the French do holiday apartments very well, and there are some lovely places an hours drive from Calais. (Just booked one myself they we stayed at last year - really great and in a lovely historic town). They have availability. Have a look at Picardy

https://www.pierreetvacances.com/

Some lovely houses in Southwold or Walberswick for August within your price range. We had a week there in the start of July, pubs, beach, shops, walks, great food . All you need for a wee holiday .
Wishing your Dad well. Can’t work out how to do a link, but Sykes or Suffolk Secrets are both great to get a holiday home from.

Please don't spend over £2000 going to Hastings as per previous link. It's a lovely house but you'll struggle to go out anywhere in the evening. There are nice places to go locally but if you know Brighton you'll likely know them anyway. The description of what to do in the immediate locality has taken full advantage of 'stretching the truth'.

Broadstairs?

www.staycotswold.com/property/?startDate=2023-08-12&endDate=2023-08-19&adults=8&view=grid&sortBy=default&perPage=18&currentPage=1&seed=5035

Have you looked at Sykes Cottages? I booked about 3 weeks ago, we go away next weekend and I got a discount of £300 for a late booking.

This is a great website for larger parties, and I've found some good options last minute on it before:

https://www.groupaccommodation.com/

Ashton next to Oundle - close to Cambridge and Stamford?

https://www.plumguide.com/homes/29061/honey-gables?adults=8&checkin=2023-08-11&checkout=2023-08-18

There’s a few here https://www.norfolkcottages.co.uk/search?fromdate=2023-08-12&nights=7&plusminus=1&sleeps=%3E8&attribute428=false&orderBy=sleeps_asc:priority_asc

Your problem is sending things to the family WhatsApp. Someone will always find an issue with any properties you find. Tell the family you will choose something then book it and tell them afterwards when it is a done deal!

https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/91220-broadoak--keyhaven?n=7&sd=11082023

There’s loads available on budget on holidaycottages.co.uk we always book through them.

Walking distance to studland beach. Slightly pushing it on the budget though?
https://www.originalcottages.co.uk/dorset-cottages/dorset-coast/studland/wy365-homelands?fromdate=2023-08-11&nights=7&guests=9

Or North Devon
https://www.originalcottages.co.uk/devon-cottages/north-devon-coast/woolacombe/f27818-falbala?fromdate=2023-08-12&nights=7&guests=7

If you can drive a bit further - this one has a 20% discount. Spacious, with parking. Close to everything and lovely walks https://www.marsdens.co.uk/cottage/oc-15039-the-stables-lynton

Lots in Devon to sleep 8 with Marsdens for your dates. Various budgets too https://www.marsdens.co.uk/

You could try Landmark Trust - we have had some lovely times in their properties and our budget is never huge

Try Barefoot Retreats

https://www.barefootretreats.co.uk

Really lovely properties. Just ring them as they're usually fully booked, but you might get a cancellation.

https://www.airbnb.com/h/worthyhoney

This, there’s availability mid august for 5 days!

We have availability 8th to 11th and 20th to 24th. And it’s stunning.
https://www.airbnb.com/h/worthyhoney

very sorry to hear about your Dad, if you can message via our Airbnb page we might be able to do a special price.

There was even a thread about it!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4810403-would-you-hire-a-holiday-cottage-that-had-a-beehive-in-the-garden?page=1

Kent coast https://www.keeperscottages.co.uk/properties/?guestsadults=8&guestsschildren=0&guestsinfants=0&guestsspets=0&datesearchtype=specific&dateestart=18%2F08%2F2023&dateflexibility=adjustby3&dateenights=7&location=all&propertytype=0&paginggpagenumber=1&searchhmode=search

Highly recommend Barefoot Retreats as mentioned above. We stayed in a gorgeous barn via them, and Norfolk is stunning.

https://woodfarmbarns.com/

We have stayed here a few times, the chap who runs it is lovely!

Coastguards (ref UK44802) in Ventnor | Cottages.com
Any good?