Travel

A year in cottages

To help travellers map in their 2024 travel, Sykes Holiday Cottages has selected 12 staycations - one for each month of the year - tying into events happening across the UK, such as Burns Night and Brighton Pride.  

From a former chapel located in Bath to a cosy pod in County Donegal, there’s something for everyone looking to discover what the UK has to offer this year.  

To book a break with Sykes, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk, call 01244 617 683, or download the new Sykes Holiday Cottages app. 

January: Celebrate Burns Night in Scotland

The Salmon Bothy – Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire

Situated on the seafront overlooking Cruden Bay, The Salmon Bothy is the perfect getaway destination for those looking to celebrate Burns Night in Scotland. 

Originally built in 1840, the property’s cosy dining area, with a view of the coast and a log burner, is an ideal spot for sampling traditional haggis, neeps and tatties.  

Sleeps: Six

Price: Seven nights from January 20 for £987. Visit the website for more information. 

February: Experience the Dark Skies Festival in Yorkshire

The Byre, Sedbury Park Farm – Gilling West, Richmondshire 

Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire is known for its beautiful unpolluted skies, which are perfect for stargazing.

Guests can unwind and relax in this welcoming barn conversion, which can be found settled on a small working farm, while trying to spot the milky way from its patio.  

Sleeps: Four

Price: Seven nights from February 3 for £554. Visit the website for more information. 

March: Experience Ireland on St Patrick’s Day

The Wheelhouse Pod No. 1 – Burtonport, County Donegal

There’s no better time to visit Ireland than St Patrick’s Day and this peaceful pod is a great spot for couples or small families looking to make the most of the celebrations. 

Visitors can relax in the resident hot tub or head to the nearest pub, which is under a mile away, to enjoy a pint.

Sleeps: Three

Price: Seven nights from March 15 for £566. Visit the website for more information. 

April: Watch the Grand National in Liverpool

Eastgate – Chester, Cheshire

Located within a Grade II listed building in the historic city of Chester, Eastgate is within driving distance from Aintree Racecourse. 

Couples can hedge their bets while watching the Grand National before spending any winnings in the variety of local restaurants and bars in Chester.  

Sleeps: Two

Price: Seven nights from April 12 for £432. Visit the website for more information. 

May: Dance the hours away for May Day in Cornwall

Mount Pleasant – Padstow, Cornwall

This beautifully styled holiday home is located in the heart of Padstow, which is home to one of the oldest May Day celebrations.

Guests can enjoy a musical procession with locals in the town before heading back to Mount Pleasant for a homecooked meal with family and friends.  

Sleeps: Seven

Price: Seven nights from May 3 for £843. Visit the website for more information. 

June: Soak in the Summer Solstice in Devon

Sail Loft – Dawlish, Devon

Make the most of the longest day of the year at this stunning holiday home in Devon.

Guests can bask in the sunshine with a glass of wine in the back garden or take a book to the secluded beach close by.

Sleeps: Six

Price: Seven nights from June 15 for £1,259. Visit the website for more information. 

July: Head over to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix

85A Braybrooke Road – Desborough, Northamptonshire

Gather your racing enthusiast friends and head to this impressive pad in Northamptonshire to watch Formula 1 at Silverstone.

Sleeping 10, the property is home to a games room, hot tub, and sauna, if you can tear yourself away from the race track!

Sleeps: Ten

Price: Seven nights from July 6 for £2,517. Visit the website for more information. 

August: Celebrate Brighton Pride

Cliffe Cottage – Lewes, Sussex

Celebrate this August by immersing yourself in Brighton Pride.

After a long day of partying in The Lanes, visitors can head back to Cliffe Cottage, a colourful property in Lewes which has an array of boutiques, restaurants, and antique stores.  

Sleeps: Three

Price: Seven nights from August 3 for £1,272. Visit the website for more information.

September: Bask in Blackpool’s Illuminations

Suite 14 – Blackpool, Lancashire 

Admire the famous Blackpool illuminations, a free light show including illuminated trains, laser technology and projection shows, before retreating to this sleek holiday apartment. 

Complete with an open plan living area and modern bathroom, guests can also enjoy its central location. 

Sleeps: Two

Price: Seven nights from September 6 for £524. Visit the website for more information. 

October: Get spooky for Halloween in York

The Townhouse – York, North Yorkshire 

Escape to this spacious four-storey property in York with a group of friends and ring in spooky season.

This could include a visit to York Dungeons or a ghost tour, exploring York’s rich history with scares along the way.

Sleeps: Six

Price: Seven nights from October 25 for £1,128. Visit the website for more information. 

November: Watch fireworks sparkle in Lancaster

5 Castle Hill – Lancaster, Lancashire 

Bursting with character, this Grade II listed Georgian townhouse boasts stunning views of Lancaster’s castle and is in a prime location for enjoying Light Up Lancaster – the festival of art and light that comes to the city for Bonfire Night every year.

Sleeps: Six

Price: Seven nights from November 1 for £770. Visit the website for more information. 

December: Visit Bath’s Christmas markets

1 Countess Chapel – Bath, Somerset

It isn’t the festive season without a Christmas market and Bath hosts some of the best in the UK.

Have a wander around and tick off your Christmas present list before returning to 1 Countess Chapel, a former chapel which has since been renovated while retaining many of its original features. 

Sleeps: Four

Price: Seven nights from December 13 for £554. Visit the website for more information. 

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