From 3 April 2006, English Heritage will be offering holidaymakers the rare opportunity to stay at the heart of its historic buildings and estates with the launch of a self-catering holiday cottage portfolio.

The accommodation is aimed at the luxury end of the market and will offer contemporary 21st century interiors within dramatic heritage environments. Prices start from �230 (approximately �58 per person) for a long weekend rental (three nights) of the Custodian�s cottage at St Mawes Castle in Cornwall, which sleeps four people*.

The first phase of the programme sees five properties available for hire, with further cottages being added over the course of the year. English Heritage aims to have a total of 30 properties ready for rental by 2008.

Choose from the former residence of the Battery Sergeant Major of Dover Castle, an elegant four-storey Georgian house sleeping up to six guests. Alternatively, stay in Pavilion Cottage (sleeps four) in the grounds of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. A former cricket pavilion, the house was built for officer cadets attending the Royal Naval College. Osborne House boasts its own private shingle beach, once used exclusively by the Royal Family in residence at Osborne, now accessible to guests.

Other properties include the Custodian�s House, perching on the ramparts of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth; Fort House at St Mawes Castle, with sweeping views over the Castle to the open sea, and finally Abbey Cottage at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire, built out of reclaimed abbey stone as a reminder of the original medieval masons who built the Abbey.

Each holiday cottage has a story to tell; its past inextricably linked with an historic house, a fortified castle, or a great estate. Some of the properties are listed buildings themselves and all have been renovated and refurbished to a high standard. The interiors are individual, using muted tones from the palette created especially for English Heritage by The Little Greene Paint Company, combining furniture sourced from English designers, bespoke oak kitchens and modern bathrooms with power showers, as well as the ultimate convenience of wireless internet access (where available).

All guests will be welcomed with a hamper of grocery essentials featuring local produce and a bathroom basket with English Heritage toiletries, together with discount vouchers for English Heritage shops and property entrance.

The cottages will be available for hire for long weekends (3 nights, Friday - Monday), week-long (7 nights), or mid-week breaks** (4 nights, Monday � Friday), from 3 April 2006.

Reservations can be made from 27 February 2006 by calling 0870 333 1187.

Full details of the holiday cottages and prices can be accessed from 27 February via www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages

* Other sample prices include �385 for a one week rental of the Custodian�s Cottage at Pendennis Castle which sleeps two (�185 for a long weekend break) or �615 for a week�s rental of the Sergeant Major�s cottage at Dover Castle which sleeps six (�290 for a long weekend break).

** Midweek short stays can usually be booked in advance, except at certain times of year when they can only be booked two weeks in advance of the date of stay.

For a free diary of events, call 0870 333 1183 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/events for further details.

Why not become an English Heritage member?

English Heritage members get free or reduced-price entry to events, as well as free entry to over 400 unique historic sites - so why not join today? Call 0870 333 1181 or join online at www.english-heritage.org.uk/membership quoting EVEN.

For more press information or images, please contact Fiona Reece, Kate Woods or Abby Edwards at Grayling on 0117 922 7799, or email: fiona.reece@uk.grayling.com / kate.woods@uk.grayling.com / abby.edwards@uk.grayling.com