I don't care where it is in the UK, but I want to open my holiday cottage door straight onto the beach...

[WilfSell]

And it must have sand, and not be only pebbles. I know you won't WANT to recommend such places you have stayed because you're probably about to book again, but you must. It is a moral responsibility to tell others about them, not keep them to yourself, please.

It mustn't be a caravan park. And ideally it is all on its own, away from the crowds. I do not care a hoot about ice cream shops, or discos, or evening entertainment, or supermarkets nearby. In fact, such things would put me off. The more wild the neighbours, the better. If it has the word 'luxury' in its description, even better, but we can rough it too.

Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, Suffolk, Northumberland, wherever: really, I don't care. But my children's happiness this summer is depending on YOU... No pressure or anything.

That ecocroft looks lovely though midnight. I will try to book it next year I think [have to see dh's family abroad this year] It really is in a remote part of Mull, IIRC.

ME didn't need to mention it: it was listed in one of the papers as one of the 50 best beaches, possibly in the world. Or maybe it was UK. Anyhow, we'd already earmarked it.

And so since I asked you to share all tour best secrets with me, and I have now booked the best place in the world, I am going to return the favour in my lunchbreak. Don't tell everyone though...

This - the Hayloft - was one of the ones I had on hold. I didn't book it in the end, but if they finish building on time they look utterly wonderful... They currently have school holiday weeks available! Please report back because I'd really like to go there in future...

This one looks swanky but not sure I'd dare take my kids

Look at this one ON the beach in Devon

On a cliff but great location in Pembrokeshire...

Old Ferry cottage here looks FANTASTIC...

If I could afford it, I'd take my whole extended family here

And if you want to do REAL holiday porn in Scotland etc, take a look at this agent ROFL

Enjoy!

PS You're gonna have to CAT me or search for the one I've actually booked

Actually on the George Goldsmiths site there are one or two smaller properties including on called Anchorage cottage on Skye which is in a great location on the sea and looks comparable in price to some of the ones I've listed. But I'm enjoying looking over my ham sandwich at all the castles to rent for a squillion quid too ...

[one more lunchtime bump then lets thread diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie for fear of MN hordes on the beaches of Mull and Cornwall...]

Oh how sad that Hayloft link says the Dovecote restaurant is now closed - we had so many lovely meals there. We recently stayed very close by there is the attic flat of a lovely old stone house run by an artist couple. Really was lovely. Are you going to the ecocroft then Wilf?

scroll down the Welcome Inn, po...

They Calgary hotel itself is being converted into the two apts, one in each wing. They are keeping open the tearooms and the gallery/sculpture walk though. It sounds heavenly there and I can't wait to visit when we go to Mull.

Actually I only linked to my second-best cottage. I will never reveal the best one, which is on its own in a cove, with literary connections. I had to book it early last year for late next year .

Some fabulous looking places on this thread though.

The paintings in the tearooms are mostly painted by the couple we stayed with. They have children and have lived near the bay in this old farmhouse for 15 years. I want their life basically.

At least give us a tiny clue CDeM? Is it in Cornwall? Being a cove and all? And having some literary connections?

Oh Wilf I've just seen where you're staying. OMG. I am actually having heart palpitations with jealousy. How on earth they managed to get building permission there though I'll never know. I do hope it does not set a precedent though, as it would be horrific if the wild bay is surrounded by holiday homes. Really horrific.

Have a look at Steading Holidays in Ardnamurchan. Have stayed in one in Kilchoan, but am very tempted by this one in Sanna after travelling around the area. Sanna Bay has a fab beach, very remote, and the best fog horn in the country up on the cliffs.

The one we stayed in wasn't the most luxurious cottage we've stayed in, but it was well equipped, comfortable and we were very happy with it.

Eh? Well? Which one is it? You confused me.

So sad the dovecote has closed down Dh and I had a lovely meal there - first time out sans kids after DD was born.

They are kind of 'locals' and it took them 3 years to get permission apparently!

But they are building it purely for tourist purposes. I wonder if there was any local opposition [sorry don't want to put a downer on your holiday!]

I know. I did feel a bit hmm. But only for a short while.

I got the strong impression they are building it as 'their' lifetime project though and intend to live there eventually. But yes, on the whole I don't approve of spoiling coastlines. Unless its for my benefit obv.

I might ask about it when I next go up. See what the general feeling is.

Wilf, I have just spent hours looking at the links on this thread and am now positively drooling! And have bookmarked almost every suggestion - that will not help the decision-making...

I am trying to persuade DH that one can have a decent holiday in the UK and does not have to go abroad as I don't fancy flying anywhere this year with 4 DSs, youngest of which will be about 3 months come the summer .
Pretty please, would you be prepared to mail me where you have ultimately booked?
I must stun DH into caving in .
My e-mail address is tosama at hotmail dot com.

If not, I will have to confront him with that Welsh Boathouse...

Hope you will have a great holiday whatever you decide.

Here you go:

No pets allowed but perfect for 2 adults and 2 children.

www.nicheretreats.co.uk/caerhays/the_boat_house

Try colonsay, beautiful sandy beaches and good weather www.colonsayestate.co.uk

sorry, new to this...look at
these beaches

Just came across this thread while planning my next holiday. We just spent the week after new year at the Llanbedrog boathouse and it was amazing. We were with DS(2.6) and DD(1) and had the most fantastic time roaming around the (fairly brisk) beach. We are definitely planning a repeat trip which is something I never normally do - and the owner gets high ratings from me for letting us stay on at no extra charge when the roads were too snowy to come home