03 Oct 2017
Whether you want to escape with two legged or four legged friends this half term, the National Trust has a holiday destination to suit.
From cottages with views to take your breath away, to places to spot wildlife, or give your body a fitness blast before winter, you can do it all knowing there is a cosy, fire warmed cottage to return to.
Here is a selection of some of the best places to getaway to this half term (between 13 – 29 Oct), where every stay supports the National Trust's conservation work looking after special places, for everyone to enjoy.
Best cottages for wildlife spotting
Deer Park Lodge, Sherborne, Nr Northleach, Gloucestershire.
Sleeps 4 and 2 dogs
Nestling in the walls of the former entrance gates this two-bedroom cottage comes complete with woodland, wildlife and wonderful views on its doorstep.
Inside, it's a traditional affair with a charming open fire, latticed windows and elegant furnishings. Being single-storey, the cottage is easily accessible to all.
Venturing beyond the cottage, there are three main walking trails through the parklands. You may even be lucky enough to spot deer running through the countryside.
It is an ideal base for discovering the Cotswolds with quintessentially English villages Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water less than a 20 minutes' drive away. Also not to be missed is one of the most iconic streets in the UK; Arlington Row in Bibury, just a 10 minutes' drive away.
The Sherborne estate is also where BBC's Autumnwatch is being filmed.
Price: Example for 2 nights from Friday 13 Oct £474.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate Sherborne estate is home to a wide array of wildlife especially farmland birds which are declining in numbers elsewhere – make sure to pack your binoculars.
There's a choice of walks from between half an hour to over two hours, with the short woodland trail spectacular in autumn when the Beech Avenue glistens in copper and gold.
Best for autumn colour
Longstone Cottage, Mottistone, Isle of Wight
Sleeps 6 and 2 dogs
Try a digital detox when you stay in this Edwardian rural hideaway. Free of modern technology and surrounded by rolling hills and wildlife, why not switch off your phones for a break with serenity.
It's a gas only cottage with stoves warming the rooms and solar panels powering the lights. Adding to its rustic charm, wooden floors and Edwardian fireplaces run throughout the spacious, three-bedroom cottage.
The cottage sits on the Mottistone Estate – a farmed landscape with sheltered valleys and glorious sea views and looks out over the ancient monument of The Longstone.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Thursday 19 Oct £515.95, saving £91.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Mottistone Garden
Set in a sheltered valley this magical garden is full of surprises, with shrub-filled banks and hidden pathways. The warm, sheltered location provides the perfect setting for flowers to blossom under the October sun.
Best for Coastal views
South Pilton Green Farmhouse, Wales
Sleeps 5
South Pilton Green Farmhouse is a spacious property in a stunning location on the Gower Peninsula. Surrounded by farmland, the cottage boasts a log burning stove in the living room and an enclosed garden with views over the fields.
Take advantage of the cottage's unique location and join up with the coastal path just a 15 minute walk away. Explore this beautiful coastline with its wide range of surfing and swimming beaches.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Friday 27 Oct £658.75, saving £116.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Rhossili and South Gower Coast
Breathtaking Rhossili Bay, with its three mile long sandy beach where the remains of the Helvetia, a ship wrecked in 1887, can be seen at low tide, is close by. From the top of Rhossili Down, the highest point on Gower, views of the peninsula can be seen as well as across the sea to West Wales, Lundy Island and the north Devon coast.
Best for activity seekers
Orchard View, Northern Ireland
Sleeps 4 and 1 dog
Orchard View sits in a line of terraced cottages just metres from the shores of Lough Erne on the Crom Estate. It used to house the estate's farm workers, but has now been restored into an inviting, three-bedroom holiday home, complete with an open fire and large windows. It also has an interconnecting door to neighbouring Willow Cottage if you need more space for all your friends and family.
Make the most of the location close to ancient woodlands, the river and an abundance of wildlife. Discover ancient yew trees, biking routes and canoe trails that take you along narrow channels and scattered islands. There's a jetty close by, so you can bring your own canoe or kayak or hire one at the visitor centre.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Friday 20 Oct £341.70, saving £60.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Crom
Located on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, Crom is one of the most romantic and peaceful places in Northern Ireland. This 2,000 acre estate is surrounded by tranquil islands and ancient woodlands.
One of Ireland's most important conservation areas, Crom is home to a wealth of wildlife. Discover it whether you are fishing, woodland walking, butterfly spotting or bird watching.
Bird How, Cumbria
Sleeps 4
This dolls-house-like cottage is found nestling on a fellside via a rough farm track. If you're in need of some time away from everyday distractions, Bird How can offer a peaceful retreat. With no phone or TV signal, you'll be able to really appreciate the simplicity of this former cow barn. If you're still not convinced, how does a snuggle around its open fire after a days' hiking sound?
Its location in the Eskdale valley makes it an ideal base for serious walkers and hikers, with many challenging routes from the doorstep to explore in this less known part of the Lake District National Park. Start the morning with a walk up the steepest road in England, Hardknott Pass, and explore the Roman Fort close to the top. If Scafell Pike is on your bucket-list, its base is less than an hours' drive.
Price: Example price for 2 nights from Saturday 14 Oct £279.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Eskdale and Duddon Valley
The valleys descend from the highest and wildest mountains all the way to the beautiful sandy beaches on Cumbria's peaceful western coast. The landscape provides everything from grandeur and beauty to tranquillity and remoteness.
These valleys are a walkers paradise. Wander along one of the memorable riverside walks with their intimate scenic combination of crags, woods and waterfalls. A favourite lower level walk is the Eskdale trail which follows the river from St Catherine's church where you can cross the river on stepping stones.
Best for Groups
Bosveal, Cornwall
Sleeps 10
Bosveal occupies the central part of Bosloe House, a striking Arts and Crafts style manor. Wood panelled walls, a grand dining room and two log-burning stoves add to its charm, while its six bedrooms make it the perfect get-together pad.
With views straight down to the gentle coast and pine tree woodlands of the Helford River, you're only a few minutes' stroll from the small beach at Durgan. A mixture of pebbles, rockpools and sand, its gentle waters make it perfect for canoeing or kayaking.
Price: Example price for 2 nights from Friday 27 Oct £1303.05, saving £229.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Glendurgan
There are three valleys of Glendurgan to lose yourself in - full of fun, informality, natural beauty and amazing plants. Big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the jungle-like lower valley and sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks.
Wandering through the garden leads down to the unspoilt hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River; a place to watch birds and boats, skim stones and build sand-castles.
Best for all the family…and dog
Ambrey Cottage, Herefordshire
Sleeps 5 and 3 dogs
Ambrey Cottage is a beautiful, spacious holiday home set over two floors. With a roaring fire in the lounge, large kitchen with dining table for all the family to gather around and comfy twin, single and double rooms, the cottage is sure to delight.
Set in a stunning location surrounded by woodland, there is no-one around to spoil the silence.
Get everyone up bright and early and head out on one of the many walking trails that surround the area or take in the spectacular views and Croft estate. Guests are invited to visit the castle for free.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Friday 27 Oct £479.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
Nearest National Trust site-
Croft Castle
Croft Castle sits deep in the heart of Herefordshire countryside surrounded by 1500 acres of historic woodland, farm and parkland. Croft comes alive in autumn, with burnt oranges, bright yellows and deep reds emerging around the estate. Pop on your walking boots and feel the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot, host a conker match or two and warm up in the tea-room with hearty, harvest-themed recipes.
Best for the most unusual name
Mattress Cottage, Devon
Sleeps 5
Stay in a traditional Devon farmhouse complete with a thatch roof, low-beam ceilings and an ingle-nook fireplace. Mattress Cottage is one of three holiday homes that make up this large medieval cottage, all sharing the large garden.
Located on the border of the Killerton Estate, explore the house, gardens and parklands, or venture further afield to Exmoor where you can ramble across this starkly beautiful landscape, taking in waterfalls and rock formations.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Thursday 19 Oct £496.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070
Nearest National Trust site-
Killerton
Killerton in the heart of Devon is a Georgian house set in 2,600 hectares of working farmland, woods, parkland, cottages and orchards.
There's plenty of calm space in the glorious garden, or you can explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort or take in the views towards Dartmoor.
Best for a walk to the pub
Blacksmiths Cottage, Norfolk
Sleeps 4
Blacksmith's Cottage is one of the few remaining thatched dwellings on the Blickling Estate. This light and spacious holiday cottage was once the home of an estate worker and retains a very traditional feel inside and out.
Make the most of nearby Blickling Hall and discover this fascinating property and surrounding parkland. Further away discover the sandy beaches and clifftop paths of the Norfolk coast, just a 20 minute drive from the cottage. Blakeney Point Nature Reserve with its sand and salt marshes is a 20 mile drive.
Price: Example price for 3 nights from Tues 17 Oct £461.55, saving £81.
Booking: Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070
Nearest National Trust site-
Blickling
Nobody ever forgets their first sight of Blickling. The breath-taking red-brick mansion and ancient yew hedges sit at the heart of a magnificent garden and historic park in the beautiful Bure meadows.
The Bucks Arms is a seventeenth century traditional pub and former coaching inn and the perfect place to start or end your day at Blickling Estate.
-ENDS-
For further press information and high res images please contact: Claire Beale PR Officer on 01793 818506 or email: claire.beale@nationaltrust.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Every single stay supports the National Trust's work as an independent conservation charity and helps us care for our places into the future. To book:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays
0344 800 2070
About the National Trust
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three people who saw the importance of our nation's heritage and open spaces, and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. More than 120 years later, these values are still at the heart of everything the conservation charity does.
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For more information and ideas for great seasonal days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
