A historic Grade 2 detached Georgian house in a superb location in Warkworth, quietly and conveniently situated on the river bank. Warkworth is a lovely village, set in a bend of the River Coquet overlooked by a castle. It seems to be a perfect location for this area as not only is the village delightful, and the people friendly, but it a an easy walk to a fabulous beach and very easy travelling to many places of interest.

The village itself has a lot to offer in the way of restaurants and interesting shops and 10 minutes away is the fascinating town of Alnwick with it's famous second hand book shop "Barter Books" and the castle and modern gardens.

The house was beautifully prepared for us and the owner had gone out of her way to be accommodating and letting us drop off our luggage whilst we went to pick up one of our sons in Newcastle about an hour away by car. When we returned the woodburning stove in the large drawing room was ready to light, a tea tray laid and bottles of local ale in the larder!

The ground floor of "Coquet View" is spacious and airy decorated in a light, contemporary, attractive style. The main seating area was very comfortable and nicely thought out as there were two seating areas so the young or old(er) folk could play any of the games so thoughtfully provided. There are lovely views out to the river from the large windows. As we visited in March the woodburner was welcome and added a nice cosy touch to the snowy weather!

Off the sitting room is a large dining room with easily enough room to seat 8 people and through to the big, extremely well equipped kitchen. We were impressed and pleased to find the same coffee machine as we have at home!

Through the kitchen to a beautiful enclosed garden and then back in the house you pass the downstairs bathroom to the stairs up to the first floor. Bedroom one is decorated and appointed to a 5* hotel standard with a gorgeous, large ensuite bathroom equiped with fluffy towels and top of the range toiletries. Bed linens and curtains were well chosen and also top of the range. The room offered ample storage and good lighting, as well as super king sized bed.

Bedroom 2 was perhaps my favourite with a beautiful French king sized bed and French style furniture. Nothing here was less then 5* either. We were very comfortable and slept well. This room had it's own en suite toilet and wash hand basin.

Bedroom 3 was no lesser quality than the other 2 with 2 full sized single beds and gorgeous linens and accessories. Lovely river views from all 3 bedrooms.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Warkworth, our first visit to Northumberland. We have already booked to return in the summer this time to "Riverside".

Coquet Cottage is an exemplary, small agency run with care and attention by Julie Ringland. Rentals on most properties can be flexible, weekends or whole weeks for a good part of the year and every property is prepared meticulously for your arrival. Children and pets are extremely well catered for. Some big agencies could learn a lot from doing business with Coquet Cottages! 10% discount for returning guests as well as a welcome drizzle cake!

The Boathouse is situated just yards from the beach at the old working harbour and tiny cove of Portholland, Cornwall on the Caerhays Castle Estate. The castle has been used as the fictional "Manderley" in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and is a wonderfully evocative estate.

We were impressed before we arrived by the atttention to detail of this agency. It was possible to order online groceries and then have them unpacked and stowed away by the housekeeper on the day we arrived. This was very convenient as we travelled down on our annivesary to find the table all set for 2 with a lovely white cloth, flowers, candles and wine in the fridge. As this cottage is a "get away from it all" destination we were able to relax from the moment we arrived, just what we needed to do after a very long journey.

Enter into a small hall with 2 bedrooms and 2 bath/shower rooms off. Both bedrooms are compact but comfortable and nicely decorated with a seaside theme. (Had the master bedroom had a king sized bed rather than a double I might have a awarded 5*.) Both bath and shower room are attractive and functional with large fluffy towels provided.

The hall offers good storage for wet coats and/or buckets and spades and then upstairs to a wonderful open plan sitting/dining room with an excellent kitchen. This large room is light and airy with magnificent sea views and sounds with the windows open. Lovely, comfortable seating, a good sound system and excellent lighting meant you could linger here on a cool or grey evening and still feel very much beside the seaside.

The kitchen was very sensibly organised with good quality equipment and appliances of every kind. Cutlery and china were also very high quality and everything was a pleasure to use and all extremely convenient.

This is a lovely part of Cornwall; go in the Spring for special treat to view the spectacular Spring Gardens at Caerhays, English Heritage listed Grade 2, and many other wonderful gardens. Heligan is but a short ride away where we enjoyed shopping at the farm shop. (This was a real treat, a whole week without having to visit a supermarket!) This area is a walkers paradise not far from "Camomile Lawn" country, the book by Mary Wesley but probably better known for the television adaptation made in 1992.

Niche Retreats comes highly recommended. I am still searching for an agency that provides the extras they do at expensive - but good value for money - rental prices.

A handsome 3 bedroom detached estate cottage on the edge of the Cotswold town of Stow on the Wold in Upper Swell. It sits close to the River Dicker and, unfortunately, the road, although out of our party of 4 I was the only one troubled by traffic noise.

The house was nicely prepared for our arrival with an exceptionally good welcome basket including local produce. The large sitting room was comfy and cosy with a large and most welcome fireplace. There were many nice touches here including a very good sound system and iPod docking station, lots of games and dvd's and good tourist information resources.

The dining room, with ample room to sit 6 comfortably, was in a new extension with French windows out to the attractive garden. The kitchen was well equipped and nicely thought out. Off the hall was a good cloakroom and then upstairs to 3 good double bedrooms each with their own bathrooms.

Our room, the master, had a king sized bed and a small ensuite shower room but I didn't like the wall to celing height "toile du jouy" wallpaper although we were comfortable. The second bedroom was decorated in a more contemporary style and was very attractive with a new ensuite shower room. It has "zip and link" beds for flexibilty of accommodation. Bedroom 3 was also a double. It was light and attractive with a vaulted celing and was conveniently opposite the small family bathroom with bath. Outside over the garage was a "recreation room" which was too cold to use in January but must be an asset in warmer weather for a family with teenagers.

Bridge Cottage makes good family accommodation or possibly for 3 couples with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It is conveniently located for many places of interest and for those who are keen walkers.

A small 2 bedroomed detached cottage situated in Baslow in the Peak District was prepared nicely for our arrival with a good welcome basket, which was much appreciated after our long drive down from Northumberland. The cottage is best described as "traditional" in decor and furnishings with a lovely, although rather impractical, farmhouse kitchen complete with aga and wooden worksurfaces with lots of signs asking us not to put hot things down on it. It was well equipped but not easy to cook in.

The sitting room was comfortable and fairly attractive with one or two nice pieces of furniture and a well stocked book case, including some thrillers set in the locality which was rather a nice touch. The open fire was most welcome. Off the hall was a small conservatory/dining room with good views out over neighbouring fields. The hall carpeting was rather hard to bear as was the decor in the twin bedroom, although I am told it was comfortable.

Our king sized bed was very comfortable and dressed with lovely white linens of a high quality. Our bedroom was neutral so nothing to offend here and we slept well as the area is very quiet despite the neighbouring farm. Next to our bedroom was a small study which would serve better as a second bathroom in a house that is used as a two bedroomed holiday rental (room to sleep 4 adults). The first floor bathroom was attractive and functional.

The cottage is set in a garden that has great potential but unfortunately it was in need of attention during our stay. I particularly objected to the dandelions growing round the front doorstep!

The location of Field Cottage is both convenient and attractive. A very short drive will take you to Chatsworh House although it is of course much better to walk to "The Palace of the Peak"! You may need to conserve your energy however as the gardens and estate take a good couple of hours to walk around. We shopped at the nearby farm shop whch also has a good cafe/restaurant but nearby Bakewell offers an excellent collection of shops and restaurants of most kinds as well as its famous Bakewell Pudding shop!

We spent 2 weeks in this lovely property in early May 2011.

It is quietly situated in a very desirable residential area of Sidmouth and offers outstanding views over the town and coastline.

This former coastguard or admiralty building offers a newly fitted kitchen which is a pleasure to prepare meals in. The kitchen has been thoughtfully organised to offer everything you might need and all crockery, utensils and white goods are of a high standard.

The sitting room is large, comfortable, light and airy and affords wonderful views, a flame effect fire and a good dining area. There is also a wall mounted television and lots of technical things for those who appreciate them but no broadband connection whilst we were there.

French Windows open on to a charming, secluded decked terrace well furnished with table and chairs for all the family, nice benches, lovely flowering pots and sun loungers, should you be lucky with the weather.

There is a delightful single bedroom downstairs too, perfect for a child or teenager, decked out in a nautical style with good lighting and storage.

Off the entrance hall is a shower room and then upstairs to a further 3 bedrooms. The Master bedroom is magnificent ! It is light, airy and very big offering floor to ceiling windows, a second television, extremely ample and attractive storage and a very comfortable king sized bed.

Lighting is good here too but the star is the lovely white and blue decor framing the splendid coastal views.

The second bedroom is a small, attractive, comfortable double and there is a second single room on this floor too.

The newly fitted family bathroom offers an over bath shower and a very efficient hot water system.

We found this property via Sweetcombe Cottage holidays, a nice traditional agency whom we liked very much. They offer a portfolio of around 140 properties in and around East Devon.

We found them to be responsive and helpful and thought their descriptions of the property we rented to be accurate and their rental prices to be fair.

This is an agency with the personal touch and we found that to be a great asset.

They produce a brochure and offer an excellent website.

Highly recommended. We are returning in September.

You will find Christmas Cottage nestled towards the bottom of Gumstool hill in bustling Tetbury, in the southern Cotswolds. Happily this is a perfect location as the road is now gated so there is little in the way of passing traffic and, as we discovered, usually room to park outside.

What a delightful surprise it was to be greeted by a pretty rockery, a bench and potted plants outside the front door. We felt welcome before we stepped over the threshold. Once inside though our delight continued as we stepped into an airy, and attractive sitting room, furnished with style and panache, including a lovely carved dog. This room was as comfortable as it was attractive with a wood burning stove, good lighting, an escritoire, some good paintings and very comfy settees. An armoir houses books and tourist information as well as DVDs and maps of the local area.

Climb a few steps in to the kitchen diner, well equipped for every cook's need and once again very attractive and newly fitted out. Good china and equipment are the trademarks here along with a painted dresser boasting china from nearby Highgrove.

Steep steps lead you outside to a beautiful flower filled courtyard garden that benefits from the sun whenever it shines, for the greater part of the day. There are chairs and a table so that is where we sat to enjoy the chocolate cake so thoughtfully provided by Lindsay for our arrival. A tea tray was laid and, when we opened the fridge it was well stocked with provisions, including jams, butter, spread, milk and orange juice. We had been left a lovely loaf and fresh croissants for breakfast, as well as cereals, sugar, coffee, tea, a groaning fruit bowl and frozen croissants for breakfast on the second day as well as a good quality frozen fruit salad, all of which we made good use of. Everything was of a very high quality and delicious.

Back through the house to climb the stairs to the first floor bedroom and bathroom. The stylish and newly fitted bathroom has been carefully thought out and offers an integral shower over the double ended bath, lime stone floors and an abundance of thick fluffy towels with the often neglected towel rails to store them all on. You will also find bath products, lotions and potions as well as shampoo to cope with most needs. Lighting is good here too and there is even room for an armchair.

The landing has a lovely window seat but I won't spoil the surprise you will get the first time you look out of the window!

Next door to the bathroom is a compact twin room with 3 foot wide beds and ample storage and lighting (these can be made up as one bed). I loved this room, it has been cleverly fitted out and the soft furnishings in jewel like colours helped it to feel warm and inviting.

Climb up to the top floor where you will find the master bedroom with a French double bed, a fitted wardrobe and many nice objets and paintings. The bed was comfortable and the fine fabrics chosen for the windows and soft furnishings enhanced the luxurious ambience. Bathrobes are supplied to both bedrooms so you can keep cosy moving from bed to bathroom.

Christmas Cottage was a delight to stay in and many agencies could learn a lot from the proud owner Lindsay Christian!

The cottage was prepared to the highest standard before our arrival and we were able to relax form the moment we arrived. We were very impressed to be welcomed in this way, nothing had been overlooked and we did not have to fiddle about making phone calls for instructions about obtaining the key before we set out, for example.

Everything was supplied for a successful and relaxing weekend. As well as the provisions you will find books, tourist information, an iPod docking station, flowers in the kitchen and bedroom, tissues, bathroom sundries, torches, the list could go on and on!

Lindsay can organise many things including pick up from the nearest station, drop offs and pick ups for any of the many nearby walks. A meal ready for your arrival can be pre-ordered or you can arrange for breakfast to be organised for every morning of your stay.

Change over dates are flexible so short breaks are offered all round, without any fuss and at very reasonable prices. I am a very fussy holiday maker but I am happy to commend Christmas Cottage to everyone. The ambience is wonderful but just one note of caution because of all the steps it may not be suitable for the less able bodied.

There are many delights in the south Cotswolds but as space is limited I ask you to do your own research or read Christmas Cottage's website!