FANCY escaping on a staycation with the kids this summer?
It may be worth booking now as firms are reporting high demand for the peak school break and many of the best cottages and holiday parks are already reserved.
Self-catering specialist holidaycottages.co.uk says bookings this week are up 85 per cent compared with the week before, with a 214 per cent increase from those wanting to take their dogs.
Matt Brayley, from Holiday Cottages, said: “So many of us rediscovered the joys of a staycation last year, which has resulted in a lot of people rebooking for 2021
“This, coupled with reservations carried over from our customers who chose to defer their holiday, means significantly more properties are already booked from Easter onwards.”
We have rounded up some self-catering stays for the school holidays that are still available now.
But check the small print on any booking site to make sure there are flexible policies in place if Covid continues to upset your holiday plans.
Red Doors Farm, Devon
SET in gorgeous countryside, this cluster of six 5H cottages is three miles from Honiton within easy access of the east Devon and Dorset coastlines.
There is a heated indoor pool, with baby-changing facilities, as well as an animal-petting area and indoor soft-play area.
The grounds feature a playhouse and swings and the owners provide a wide range of equipment at no extra charge, from baby baths to play pens, toys, stairgates, monitors and more.
The cottages sleep between two and 14 guests.
A seven-night stay in Cider Barn, for five people, arriving August 20, costs £2,285 or £457pp.
Or a week for six in Orchard Cottage, arriving August 13, costs £2,515 or £419pp.
To book, see premiercottages.co.uk or call 01404 890 067.
Tranmer House, Suffolk
STAY in this Edwardian former home of Edith Pretty who ordered Suffolk’s famous Sutton Hoo archaeological dig in which an Anglo-Saxon burial ship was discovered.
The Sutton Hoo story is told in new film The Dig, with Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, which streams on Netflix from January 29.
Two guest apartments in Tranmer House – Deben View and Wilford – each sleep four people.
They give access to this National Trust site and an exhibition celebrating its history.
Explore nearby Rendlesham Forest and the Suffolk coast, including the Orford Ness nature reserve.
Three-night stays in July and August cost from £734, seven nights from £1,199.
See nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays.
Swn Y Nant, Snowdonia
THIS welcoming holiday cottage places you right at the heart of Wales’ sensational Snowdonia National Park with is magnificent peaks.
Swn y Nant is the ideal base for walking and mountaineering breaks.
The cottage has a log fire, as well as its own enclosed garden, a decking area with barbecue, and even a hot tub – all fabulous for kicking back and relaxing after a long day exploring.
It sleeps six people, with a kingsize double and four single beds.
Seven-night stays are available arriving on August 21 or 28 and cost from £1,399 or £233pp.
See originalcottages.co.uk/cottage/bow192-swn-y-nant.
Canal Boat, Cheshire
EXPLORE the historic city of Chester and other child-friendly attractions on a canal boat holiday on the charming Shropshire Union Canal, part of which lies in the county of Cheshire.
Places to stop along the way include the Cheshire Ice Cream Farm and Beeston Castle.
You can explore the Roman city of Chester with its amphitheatre, museum, city walls and castle.
Merlin, a 62ft narrowboat for up to four people, is available for a midweek break from August 2 to 6, from £1,025 including, gas, parking, tuition, buoyancy aids, first pet and bed linen and towels.
See drifters.co.uk or call 0344 984 0322.
Safari Tents, New Forest
GREEN Hill Farm Holiday Village at Landford on the edge of the New Forest has five new luxury safari tents that will be ready for summer.
Rated 5H by the AA, the dog-friendly park has lots of activities to keep children amused, including Segways, cycle hire, crazy golf, archery, trampolines, splash pads and a playground.
The safari tents have furniture and real beds, plus a wooden hot tub.
Each tent sleeps up to eight people.
A four-night stay in August costs from £962 (around £120 per person when fully occupied, or £1,718 for a week.
To book call 0333 200 2790 or visit lovatparks.com.
Cofton Holidays, Devon
THERE is plenty for the whole family to enjoy at this park near Dawlish.
The Blue Flag beach of Dawlish Warren is a short walk away, and on site you can enjoy an indoor pool and hydrotheraphy loungers, as well as outdoor pools and a gym, fitness studio, steam room, sauna, soft-play area, playground sports wall, restaurant and pub.
Guests have access to fishing lakes, cycle paths and nature trails.
Free fun includes woodland adventure with zipline, climbing cage, rope ladders and scramble nets.
There are caravans, lodges, or cottages and apartments, with availability in August.
Prices from £680, for four nights in a caravan sleeping four, arriving August 2.
See coftonholidays.co.uk or call 01626 890111.
Beach Lodges, Bournemouth
IT’S all about location with the beach lodges just a few steps away from the safe and sandy beach.
They offer stylish accommodation for up to four adults and two children, each with their own extensively equipped kitchen, toilet, shower room and wifi.
The Beach Lodges have a kid-friendly, treehouse vibe and are a perfect mix of home comforts and holiday treats. with stunning uninterrupted sea views from the raised decking just above the prom.
The lodges are also dog friendly and there is still some availability for July and August.
Three or four night stays are from £720 in total.
See bournemouthbeachlodges.co.uk.
Chalet, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
JUST a short stroll to the beach, and offering plenty of on site facilities including indoor and outdoor play areas, a kids’ club, Trim Trail and family entertainment centre.
Richardson’s Holiday Park is also near other attractions including the mega maze farm attraction Hirsty’s Family Fun Park and the landscaped grounds of Thrigby Hall featuring a collection of rare animals from Asia.
Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile is also close by.
A weeks’ self-catering break at Richardson’s in an Orlando Chalet sleeping up to four in one double and one twin room from £719 arriving July 30.
See richardsonsholidayparks.co.uk or call 01493 809 903.
Ferguson Cottage, Northumberland
SPORTY families can enjoy shared access to the indoor swimming pool, sauna and tennis court at Ferguson Cottage in Warenford village.
Part of a collection of cottages, the property sleeps six plus one dog and features three ensuite bedrooms and a spacious kitchen-diner as well as lounge with TV and free wifi.
Bamburgh with its expansive sandy beach and castle, is just down the road.
A week’s stay this summer costs from £157pp or £942 in total.
Call 01665 661273 or see cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk.
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