A copy of tips by Cherie & Chuck Bennett on self-catering accommodations in both urban and rural Britain, presented at the November, 2006 meeting of the Travel Club.
Why self-catering is so appealing
Tourism is the number one industry in Great Britain. As a result, there are perhaps tens of thousands of vacation rental properties available in an area the size of Oregon. The Brits call them "self-catering holiday lets." As well as the quintessential thatched cottages, you can rent sleek modern apartments, farmhouses, lighthouses, castles, houseboats and converted old buildings of every sort. We have had 30 lets in Britain over the past 8 years, because self-catering represents the best value, hands down. You get the most and best amenities at the best rate on a per-night basis over a week. These amenities include space, furnishings, full kitchen, laundry (if you want it), and privacy. Self-caterings can be found anywhere and everywhere -- from isolated countryside to neighborhoods to city centers.
When to book
England is a favorite holiday destination for continental Europeans, as well as Brits themselves. They swamp the country at spring break and high season (June-Sept.). The best self-catering values go first, so a year out is not too early to book. Because tourism is high year-round, prices vary frequently, reflecting every local holiday as well as seasons. A single let may have 20 price changes in a year, varying from (for instance) £190 to £600 per week. Unlike in the rest of the country, you can easily find self-caterings ("short-let apartments") for less than a week in London.
Finding a "let"
Call 1-800-GO-2-BRIT (the British tourism authority) and request locality and accommodations brochures for the areas you are interested in, by city, county and/or region. They're free. These magazine-size brochures have lodging listings by type in them, including individual owners and agencies. Contact the agencies by email or phone and ask for their brochures. These are actually catalogs, usually with hundreds of fully-described listings. It is easy to find over 1,000 separate lets in a single area like the Cotswolds or Cornwall. You also can search online for "self-catering UK."
Paying for your "let"
Most individuals will accept your word as security to book a let, with payment due in cash on arrival. Agencies may accept debit or credit cards, charging a percentage to cover the cost. But you also may have to pay by sterling draft or wire transfer, which are expensive.
For further details
For details on language differences, ratings, the vagaries of payments, understanding listings, making inquiries, closing a booking and more, you may be interested in the class Britain On Your Own taught by us through Chemeketa Community College. Contact us at 503-581-8772 for more details.
