Getting away from it all is great but it’s also good to know there are things to see and do, if and when you feel like it. You’re spoilt for choice in the West Country, so we’ve hand picked some holiday cottages close to spectacular scenery and attractions to whet your appetite…
First up is the brilliant pairing of this converted old smithy cottage and the Arthurian history-filled Tintagel Castle. The cottage is just a mile from the castle, and only two fields back from the spectacular coastal path, meaning you can walk easily to Trebarthwith Strand's big sandy low-tide beach. Or, walk all the way to Boscastle if you're feeling super fit! The cottage has a cosy open plan kitchen and lounge with a woodburner to welcome you after your exertions.
Wookey Hole Caves in Wells, Somerset, has been a favourite for West Country visitors for years and, judging by the feedback, the same can be said of Glebe Cottage in Wookey. The quiet village includes pubs, a working watermill with tearoom and adventure playground. Glebe Cottage is tucked away on the edge of Wookey, smartly renovated and sharing a meandering garden with the property's owner. The interior includes original beams, a large fireplace and French windows to open-sided porch. The famous Wookey Hole Caves are just 2 miles away, the Cheddar Gorge and Caves 8 miles, the city of Wells 3 miles and Glastonbury 8 miles.
This dear little cottage in Devon, full of character and charm, seems the perfect place for nature lovers who can reach the nearby Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary easily from Buckfastleigh. These 18th century cottages were built for mill workers. The owner has nurtured the property and brought out its best features, including a living area with lots of beams and a double bedroom with pretty views over the town. The sanctuary offers a fun and educational experience, and afterwards, the rest of Dartmoor is yours to explore.
Take a trip in to Dorchester from Poppy Cottage in Charlton Marshall but be sure to take a picnic. It's a great spot for teddy bear enthusiasts young and old, as the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is a short drive away. Built in 1860, the mid-terrace flint and brick property has a real ‘own home’ feeling to it. Sit out in the enclosed garden and enjoy the roses, clematis and trees. It is also on the Stour Valley Way, so good for walking.