Barnacre Cottages are the first gold award winning, five-star, self-catering holiday cottages in Lancashire, north west England.

Created from the old stone buildings of an 18th century farmhouse, aspiring to the very highest standards of self-catering accommodation. Barnacre Cottages won the North West Tourist Board Self-Catering Holiday of the Year. Gold Award in 2002, as well as an Excellence in England Silver Award in 2003.

Sleeping between four and twelve persons, our self catering holiday cottages can accommodate a range of families or even a small group. Each luxury cottage has a " Mark Wilkinson " designer kitchen with granite worktops and appliances by Miele and Neff.

Please click on the photograph of a kitchen in one of these high quality cotatges for more detaisl.

Breamish Valley Cottages , 5 star, near Alnwick in Northumberland have a select group of ten cottages, sleeping 2 - 6 people.  There are superb leisure facilities for guests, including an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room, football, tennis courts, various games, croquet etc.  Riding and golf are available nearby. 

Visit Alnwick Castle to view one of the film locations for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  Children and pets welcome. 

Telephone 016655 78 263 

At Beaconhill Farm you will find a selection of luxury 5 star cottages with superb facilities including hard tennis court, a spa room, sauna, swimming pool, gym and more.  

Riding is available on the farm during the summer.  Telephone Alun for availability and details on +44 (0)1670 780 900 or Email

Eight 4 and five star luxury cottages await your stay near Colchester on the Essex/Suffolk border. Each cottage at Gladwins Farm can sleep 2-8 people in comfort.  There is a heated indoor pool, sauna and tennis court for a spot of gentle  exercise after exploring Constable Country and enjoying the many attractions of the area.  This is an undiscovered part of England for many people that will enthrall and make you wonder why you haven't ever visited before.  View historic wool churches, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,  'Chocolate Box' villages like Kersey and Lavenham with their half timbered and colour washed buildings, antiques at  Long Melford, National Trust properties, Minsmere RSPB nature reserve.   London is only about an hour away by train for day trips. Lots to do.

Telephone Pauline on 01206 262261 or click on the photograph showing the swimming pool at Gladwins Farm Cottages.

The cottages are open all year round so eminently suitable for a short break with lots to do for the entire family at any time of year.

Telephone Vanessa on 01803 665 167 or email.

Edwardian Country Home with an  integral heated squash court and grass tennis court (summer use only).  This is a spacious family home with large and finely proportioned rooms overlooking private landscaped grounds of over 2 acres. All principal rooms face south and have large working stone fire-places.  There are six bedrooms (2 doubles, 2 twin, 2 singles), 4 oven Aga, all mod cons etc. All the principal rooms face south and overlook some magnificent mature trees and a garden which has been extensively landscaped. The grounds consist of two and a half acres of well tended lawns, mown paths through the natural wooded area and an immaculately kept grass tennis court.  

Sporting and leisure activities in the area include several golf courses, two at nearby Goodwood, plus a driving range at Chichester golf centre, horse racing at Goodwood and Fontwell Park, sailing at Chichester Harbour and walking and riding on the South Downs. Northfields riding school is within walking distance of the house. The house has its own squash court. All major supermarkets in or around Chichester; very useful local shop/post office within walking distance. The house has full oil fired central heating. Available now and throughout the year for weekend/weekly let or for long term let.  

For a brochure telephone 01243 544478 or click on photo of the house.

Foxdown Manor country cottages are set deep in the heart of the beautiful rolling North Devon countryside, in twelve acres of woodlands with a croquet lawn alongside gardens and a stream.

Guests are welcome to explore the grounds and view the abundant wild life.

Foxdown Manor is an ideal base for bird watching, golfing, hiking, surfing, fishing, or just relaxing.

Just a short drive from the North Devon coastline you can enjoy breathtaking scenery, family days out at the beach and coastal walks.

Local facilities include horse riding, golf, freshwater and sea fishing, shooting, surfing, sailing, golf and cycling. Facilities within the grounds include an outdoor heated swimming pool (open mid/late July to Sept 1 - subject to weather), sauna (small charge), tennis court, small games room and croquet lawn.

Telephone Christine on 01237 451325 or click on the cottage photograph for more information and bookings.

Set in the deep lush rolling countryside of rural Somerset, 13th Century Gerbestone Manor is the perfect location for a large group holiday.  There is a heated outdoor pool for exclusive use by guests from May until September, tennis courts, croquet lawn, a lake for coarse fishing and boating, 15 acres of wonderful gardens to saunter around or relax in.

The house can accommodate up to 24 people in 12 bedrooms - some with elegant four poster beds.  Short breaks from 2 nights are available.

Telephone 0870 752 4501 for a brochure or click on the image to explore this very special large house.

Sunnybank House is a nineteenth century Period House full of character in the capital city of Connemara - Clifden. It is uniquely situated in its own mature gardens yet only 100 meters from Clifden town centre.

The Drawing room is the main room in the House, adorned with paintings and antique furnishings. This gracious room is made intimate by its large roaring turf fire around which friendships are made and stories are told as visitors relax and drink tea or read a book in the evenings.

One of our better known visitors was Chelsea Clinton who stayed with us during her Irish Tour. The bedrooms are all individually decorated with a combination of antiques and modern day conveniences such as tv, direct dial telephones, central heating, large Kingsized orthpaedic beds where possible and ensuite bathrooms.

The Gardens with their blend of rockeries, lily ponds and mature plants offer a calming respite after a long days sightseeing. Our outdoor heated swimming pool is open from June 1st to September 20th. There is also a sauna and tennis court.

Connemara is a beautiful unspolit location with a national park that stretches from the lowlands near the coast to the heights of the twelve Ben Mountains. Purple heather blossoms in the summer and tufts of white bog cotton nod gracefully in the breeze. Wildlife abounds - there are wild orchids to discover and soaring kestrels and other birds to spot.

A truly idyllic location. Book now to have a special and memorable holiday in Irealnd.

Telephone Shane O'Grady on +353 95 21437 for more information and availability.

Relax in the North Norfolk countryside close to Norfolk's Heritage coast.

tennis courts and swimming pool at these Norfolk cottages

Five spacious well appointed cottages, close to the coast at Holkham and the towns of Burnham Market, Wells and Fakenham. Converted barns with contemporary style set in 8 acres of Norfolk open countryside.

Facilities:

• Spectacular indoor heated swimming pool open all year.
• Two all weather tennis courts
• Games room,
• cycle store,
• WIFI internet access
• Cottages sleep 2 - 24 (when combined)
• Families welcome fenced play paddock for children
• Large sociable dining areas & patios great for enjoying the company of family and friends
• Freshly ironed bed linen, towels and individual central heating included in the price

You will receive a personal welcome on arrival. Short breaks Mon to Fri & Fri to Mon open all year.

Our five cottages are extremely well appointed, single strory converted barns set in 8 acres of open countryside. The main barn has been converted into a spactacular swimming pool. The large enclosed garden/play area make Home Farm an ideal base for the whole family.

We, the owners live on site and when we are away our manager looks after our visitors. We endeavour to have the cottages spotless for your arrival and you are welcomed personally to the site. There are many things to see and do locally from gastronomic dining to bird watching. The wonderful sandy beach at Hokham Bay where they filmed Shakespere in Love is not far, in fact for keen cyclists it is a half hour bike ride on back roads via the Roman road that passes Home Farm.

Telephone Lynne on 01328 823135 for more informatiomn and availability of these Norfolk cottages or click on an image for details.

Country cottage with tennis court, fishing lake and use of swimming pool in Sussex

Kingfisher Lodge is a spacious self catering holiday cottage, spectacularly placed in a secluded country estate in East Sussex. The beautiful cottage is adjacent to the main 18th century house and is approached via a quarter-mile private gravel driveway into a cobbled central courtyard with plenty of parking.

The holiday accommodation is within easy reach of the city of Brighton and Hove, historic Lewes, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the Glyndbourne Opera house plus an abundance of other Sussex attractions. Catering for 5 - 8 persons, the cottage is exceptionally spacious, well equipped, bright and modern.

Beautifully positioned, it overlooks a picturesque three acre lake surrounded by woodland, wildlife and meadows. Holiday guests are able to enjoy the superb leisure facilities, swimming, fishing, tennis and full-size snooker table (by separate arrangement).

The cottage entrance porch leads into a large modern kitchen with wooden floor, granite worktops and central island. There is a separate laundry room and dining room. Double glass doors lead into the light and airy conservatory/living area that opens onto the terrace with superb views across the lake and surrounding Sussex countryside.

Please click on the cottage photograph for contact details and interior images .

This luxury apartment is one of several at Sheplegh Court; a magnificent, historic country house, set in 22 acres of beautiful grounds nestling in the folds of a lovely valley with extensive gardens, woods, parkland and views across glorious South Devon countryside.

The three-bedroomed, first-floor apartment is light and airy with superb views from all windows. An oasis of peace and tranquillity in family-friendly surroundings, this is an ideal place to come and unwind from your busy life.

There are superb on-site facilities, including a heated outdoor swimming pool (end May–mid September), an all-weather tennis court, conservatory, full-size snooker table, sauna Jacuzzi, small indoor swimming pool. Picnic and BBQ equipment available.

The attractive living room is dominated by large bay windows with fitted window seats overlooking the valley and gardens, and within sight of the outdoor swimming pool. Very comfortably furnished with a large leather sofa and chairs, flat-screen TV (including freeview) and DVD and a dining table to seat 6. An archway leads into the well-fitted kitchen, equipped with halogen hob, built-under oven, dishwasher, microwave and integral fridge/freezer. There are two spacious double bedrooms, both with 5ft sleigh beds, one with an en-suite shower room (power shower) with WC and basin and a smaller twin bedroom with 3ft beds. The large family bathroom, with bath and shower over, basin and WC leads off the main hallway.

Telephone Peter on 01892 532328, or 07889 993870 for bookings, availability or more information about this luxury apartment with use of tennis court.

The Lodge sits secluded in its own orchard, where you can dine on the veranda whilst enjoying the sunset. The Lodge has 4 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 7 people.

It has a ground floor WC and shower room, and an upstairs Bathroom and WC. It is furnished to an extremely high standard and has full oil-fired central heating making it an ideal winter retreat as well. The fitted kitchen includes a dishwasher and washing machine. Because of the idyllic rural situation, there are country views from most windows and you will often glimpse birds and wildlife all around.

There is a separate Games room where Table tennis, and Darts can be enjoyed and from May 2008 there is a new all-weather hard Tennis Court for the exclusive use of our guests.  

In addition to the Lodge we have two luxury barn conversions - The North and South Barns.  For details please click on the photograph of the pine lodge.

Find two luxurious holiday cottages situated in 2 acres of rural splendour in Wiltshire near Bath.

An 18th century barn and stable block have been converted into The ‘Hay Barn’ and ‘Loose Box’, sleeping up to 11 people in total. Beamed throughout, log fires, exotic foreign themed bedrooms ( all doubles en suite), 6 ft. beds, 4 poster, Jacuzzi, corner and roll top baths.

• Unwind in our tropical, indoor pool, sauna, gym and tennis court or pamper yourself with a beauty treatment.
• Children love our play trail and playhouse.

The 2 cottages can be rented separately or both together for a house party, or special occasion. They are superbly equipped, and guests keep coming back time after time.

We have cots, highchairs, changing mats, baby listeners, a bay sitting service, toys, games, DVD's, books, childrens toiletries.

And for our older guests we have soft White Company bath robes, Molton & Brown toiletries, flowers in all rooms, wine, a home-made cake and a welcome breakfast basket for your arrival.

Telephone Gilly on 01225 703585, or 07768 625 868 for availability or click on the swimming pool photograph for additional information.

4 star Court Farm Cottages in Bude, Cornwall with tennis court and pool

Location, location we have the location ! as we are ideally situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Marhamchurch, only 2 miles from Bude’s stunning coastline and sandy beaches.

Eden project, Bostcastle/Tintagel, Padstow, Clovelly and Cornwalls fishing villages are only a short drive away.

We also boast an excellent variety of beamed cottages, large Farmhouses and barn conversions, where we have created both tasteful and comfortable interiors and are well equipped.

Our most popular facility is our indoor pool heated all year round at a comfortable 82 oC. Excess energy can be burnt off on the hard Tennis court or enclosed trampoline. For children of all ages there is a play trail with climbing frame, swings and slides, wendy houses, loads of play toys and a pool table and table tennis table in the games room.

smart 4 star cottages with tennis court	indoor swimming pool

Also Characteristic Georgian Farmhouse superbly set in the heart of our farm estate and only half a mile from the stunning Northcott beach. Large gardens and spacious interior, it is extremely popular for large family groups, celebrations, re-unions, house parties, corporate events. Catering available. The large house sleeps up to 17.

Telephone 01288361494 for availability and bookings now or click on a cottage photograph for additional information.

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• holiday cottages with a squash court
• Self-catering cottages with good sports facilities
• country cottages with own tennis court