Media Reviews
Six of the best holiday homes in Britain
Comfy cottages with a touch of class are setting new standards in self-catering luxury. Times writers seek out some outstanding examples. Introduced by Tom Chessyre
Holiday cottages in the UK are getting classier as better quality homes become available and customers demand ever-improving quality.
Judges in this year’s Excellence in England awards say that many entrants in the self-catering category have been finished to four and five-star hotel standards.
Thatched cottages don’t come any newer than The Linhay. Built last year, it has a traditional green oak frame (still cracking and twisting as it dries), with an interior that’s suffused with oak beams, so it almost resembles a tree house. Downstairs, the kitchen-diner, flagged with Cornish slate, is well equipped. Alas, the thatch means that there is no log fire in the living room — but there is a coal-effect gas version. The living room, which continues the light blue theme, is comfy with sofas and books.
One of the delights of Linhay is the abundance of natural light from the large windows, ensuring that the cottage is cosy, not poky. Upstairs a mezzanine gallery links the double and twin room (both en suite).
The grounds include a barbecue area with night lights and a lawn, which is shared with two other cottages, although it’s large enough to prevent any toes being stepped on. Off street parking is private.
A complimentary basket of West Country foods — eggs, cheese, homemade biscuits and bread — is provided. The village shop and the local, the Rolle Arms, are only footsteps away. The seaside towns of Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth are also close by.
For full article please visit: http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20449-1042890_1,00.html
The Times - March 20 2004
