Britain’s holiday gems revealed

The Farmers Arms, Miretti patissier and Tilly’s Tea room - these are just some of the 1,200 recommended pubs, restaurants and attractions which make British staycations truly memorable, according to a new online guide launched this week.

Created by cottages4you as part of its Championing Real Britain campaign, its first ever guide is based purely on visitor’s personal recommendations, after the company asked holidaymakers to nominate their favourite holiday finds.

Packed full of more than 1,200 gems, from local shops and cafes to independent attractions, the guide, available at cottages4you.co.uk will be an indispensable resource for those seeking an authentic great British break and want to get a true taste of the region they are staying in.

Some of the gems include:

The Bluebird Café, Coniston
Lobbs Farm shop, Heligan Cornwall
The ChurchMouse, Kirkby Lonsdale
Gloucester Folk Museum, Gloucester
Lizzie’s Larder, Milton Damerel, Devon

cottages4you, which features more than 10,000 properties across the UK, launched the campaign to encourage holidaymakers to support rural enterprises.

Geoff Cowley, managing director of cottages4you said: “We generate a massive £21 billion* for local communities each year simply by holidaying at home. Our booking agents are constantly asked for the best places to eat, see and visit, which is why we produced this online guide – created by the public to champion the very best local, independent shops and tourist attractions in Britain.

“We started asking for nominations at the start of the summer and have been inundated with people wanting to recommend their favourite places, proving there is so much to discover right on our doorstep. It is fantastic to see how local businesses are valued by the British public and we hope this guide will help to support them for the years to come.”

Martin Dunford, publisher of the Rough Guide to Britain and co-founder of Rough Guides added: “Enjoying a decent meal, a local pint or a fantastic day out are what make holidays truly memorable so hearing about exceptional attractions from locals and other holidaymakers is always a great way to find hidden gems."

cottages4you plan to add to their online guide with other favourite holiday finds. To add a suggestion to the map, find your nearest local gem or plan for a holiday visit cottages4you.co.uk.

* According to the latest UK Tourism Survey (UKTS) statistics in 2008