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Occasionally you will find an abbreviation within a property's descriptive text and many people get confused, wondering what they all mean. Here is an explanation of the abbreviations and you might come across some more that are not listed:

We are only concerned with making sure you are completely safe on your cottage holidays so do not swim or go into the pool under the influence of alcohol or immediately after eating a meal. Make sure that you know when you should arrive and depart your holiday cottage. Most holiday lettings start at 3.00 pm on the first day of your holiday and end at 10.00 am on the day of departure unless otherwise specified in the cottage description. Saturdays are sometimes different, so it is wise to check. This ensures that the owner or housekeeper has plenty of time to prepare the cottage for the next set of guests. You should contact the owner or caretaker at least two days before setting off to discuss the time of arrival and key collection details. Because cottages are often in peaceful villages you will often be able to agree to leave the key under the door mat, something you would not consider doing in a busy town. Taking the safety and well being of holiday makers very seriously, properties need to be well maintained for your comfort and safety. Nevertheless, please remember that when you are in unfamiliar surroundings, you must take special care of yourself and your family. Some properties have internal stairs so if you really need a bungalow to take your holiday that has no steps and have at least one bedroom and one bathroom on the ground floor. Some properties participate in the Tourist Board National Accessible scheme which is great news for visitors with all forms of disability.

You may want a music room that is fully equipped with a cello, double bass, bassoon or organ. Don't forget to check! Alternatively you can take your own musical instrument along with you. When you see the phrase 'Easy walking access' means that a visitor using a walking aid should have no difficulty in gaining access to the principal rooms and garden whereas 'wheelchair access' means that a visitor in a wheelchair should always be able to gain access to the principal rooms and garden. Carefully wrapped in its case, such as a guitar, trumpet (you don't get much chance to practice these instruments at home, eh?) or something more unusual like a basoon, flute or clarinet. Pets are welcome too, and if you take any other kind of holiday it could cost you a small fortune paying others to look after your pets while you are away. After all why leave them at home when they are one of the family? Many cottages accept pets and you can specify this as a requirement.

Please note that provision is made to accept guide dogs and service dogs at properties that do not normally allow pets. Any property you rent for a holiday should have a full description of services and facilities available. A virtual tour of a holiday cottage is a great way of finding cottages that meet all your needs, maybe with panoramic country views, or special kitchen facilities, a hot tub or a Jacuzzi bath. If you are taking a guide or service dog this needs to be noted on the booking form so that there are no problems when you arrive. Please keep your pets off the furniture, exercise your pets outside the garden, remove pet hairs from carpets before you leave and don't leave your pets unattended in the cottage. You should also not take breakable glasses or other utensils into the pool area. Do not swim at night or when the pool is closed. Always supervise children.

The number of people occupying a rented cottage property should not exceed the number stated in the property description. Should the party occupying the property exceed the number stipulated the owner might have the right to ask you to leave the property immediately so you should check the terms and conditions. If your cottage in Ireland or France then you need to think about your ferry journey across the Irish sea or across the English Channel from sea port to foreign climes. Carefully wrapped in its case, such as a guitar, trumpet (you don't get much chance to practice these instruments at home, eh?) or something more unusual like a basoon, flute or clarinet. If you want a short break in a holiday cottage then you need to think about logistics. When should you book your short break, and what do you need to bring with you, such as bedding, towels and kitchen implements like knives and forks.

The legal details of your agreement to rent your cottage are very important as they form a formal contract. The Booking conditions or contractual terms for your hire should be very clearly stated. You have the freedom to tailor your own break and this is a unique part of a cottage holiday experience, and for many visitors to a small friendly country village it's a great excuse to spend time exploring the area and meeting the locals. You will want the extra space, and a property sleeping 4 people will have a lot less room than properties sleeping up to 6 people. Your booking confirmation should come to you after you have booked your property and you need to know that your cottage is available for your holiday in plenty of time so you can book time off work.

Any property you rent for a holiday should have a full description of services and facilities available. A virtual tour of a holiday cottage is a great way of finding cottages that meet all your needs, maybe with panoramic country views, or special kitchen facilities, a hot tub or a Jacuzzi bath. How many bedrooms has the cottage got? Can it sleep a party of two, three, four or five, or groups of friends with children who have six, seven, eight, nine or ten people with babies and toddlers who need to have special sleeping arrangements. You should also not take breakable glasses or other utensils into the pool area. Do not swim at night or when the pool is closed. Always supervise children. Cottages should cleaned between lets and this means you only need to unpack when you arrive, put the kettle on and have a refreshing cup of tea, and explore your cottage and the surrounding countryside. There may be no extra charge for cleaning services, but often you will be expected to pay a notional amount.

Parties of eleven or twelve are not that uncommon, although the selection of cottages in the UK that can sleep groups of that size is more limited. Is there a country pub nearby, a swimming pool, garden and washing machine? Equipment in the children's playgrounds should be safe and in good condition. The surface of the play area should be soft with sand, soft earth or wood chippings. If you have a baby or several babies in your party then you need. If you are unsure of how to use the any electrical appliances please ask the cottage owner or caretaker, and if your property has night storage heaters, these must never be covered. Sometimes though wheelchair users may need assistance from an able bodied member of the party for some manoeuvres.

The number of people occupying a rented cottage property should not exceed the number stated in the property description. Should the party occupying the property exceed the number stipulated the owner might have the right to ask you to leave the property immediately so you should check the terms and conditions. If you need to pay by cash, credit or debit card or cheque then you need to make sure that the cottage you have booked can accept your preferred method of payment. Your booking confirmation should come to you after you have booked your property and you need to know that your cottage is available for your holiday in plenty of time so you can book time off work. Most holiday properties include fuel and power in the rental price. However, some cottages may have a coin meter or make a charge based on a meter reading at the end of your stay. Some may even charge extra for logs and coal provided for open fires and wood burning stoves, although you might want to bring your own fuel. Where there is a charge for fuel, this will should be made clear in the description of the cottage.

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You should also not take breakable glasses or other utensils into the pool area. Do not swim at night or when the pool is closed. Always supervise children. Most holiday properties include fuel and power in the rental price. However, some cottages may have a coin meter or make a charge based on a meter reading at the end of your stay. Some may even charge extra for logs and coal provided for open fires and wood burning stoves, although you might want to bring your own fuel. Where there is a charge for fuel, this will should be made clear in the description of the cottage. If the property has open fires, make sure that you use the fireguard and check that the fire is safely out before you go to bed, and do not smoke in bed as this is extremely dangerous. You might need to pay the full amount up front or pay a deposit with the balance when you leave.

Many cottages have gardens where you can enjoy peace and privacy and do some well earned sun bathing as long as you use sun tan lotion to protect your skin. It's the cottage owners job to make payment as easy as possible, because holidaycottages are the best choice of break, whether a short break or a long let in the British Isles, and payment can be just as simple as visiting a travel agent. Many cottages have gardens where you can enjoy peace and privacy and do some well earned sun bathing as long as you use sun tan lotion to protect your skin. Equipment in the children's playgrounds should be safe and in good condition. The surface of the play area should be soft with sand, soft earth or wood chippings. If you have a baby or several babies in your party then you need.

If your cottage in Ireland or France then you need to think about your ferry journey across the Irish sea or across the English Channel from sea port to foreign climes. If you are taking your car, motor home, cycles or MPV you need to make sure that parking arrangements are satisfactory. Maybe you need off street parking, and it is normal in the country side to find that off road parking is standard. Cottage holidays in the UK now are just a click away. You want to see a vast range of cottages for your holiday and you have probably got some questions you would like answered before you make your booking. You will want the extra space, and a property sleeping 4 people will have a lot less room than properties sleeping up to 6 people.

You may want a music room that is fully equipped with a cello, double bass, bassoon or organ. Don't forget to check! Alternatively you can take your own musical instrument along with you. If you have a swimming pool, unless it is deep you should not dive into the pool, check which end is shallow and which end is deep, and check the location of life belts and other buoyancy equipment and read the instructions on how to use them. Regardless of size, age and location in the UK, all holiday cottages should have hot water, bathrooms with shower and flushing toilets. Kitchens should have all of the utensils and appliances you would expect for every day use such as a microwave, tumble drier, washing machine and blender. Well furnished sitting rooms should have enough comfortable chairs for the maximum number of people renting the holiday cottage to be accommodated and so will the dining table. There may also be a colour TV. If you look at the photographs of your chosen holiday cottage online you should get a reasonable idea of the type of facilities that are provided. Regardless of size, age and location in the UK, all holiday cottages should have hot water, bathrooms with shower and flushing toilets. Kitchens should have all of the utensils and appliances you would expect for every day use such as a microwave, tumble drier, washing machine and blender. Well furnished sitting rooms should have enough comfortable chairs for the maximum number of people renting the holiday cottage to be accommodated and so will the dining table. There may also be a colour TV. If you look at the photographs of your chosen holiday cottage online you should get a reasonable idea of the type of facilities that are provided.

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Holiday Cottages in the UK are usually in the more scenic rural counties but we have cottages for rental throughout the UK: