There are countless reasons why self-catering holidays beat staying in hotels—and one of the biggest is the food. Forget bland buffets or over-the-top fine dining. With self-catering, you control the menu. Whether it's a home-cooked family favorite or a feast from the local market, you decide what’s on the table. If cooking’s not your thing and you're just passing by, we...

By now you’ve either triumphed over your new year dietary resolutions, or need to give them a boost. Either way fresh ideas for meals to cook at home are always welcome. And when they’re also dishes that are well suited to cooking up a storm in self-catering holiday accommodation, better still. So read on for Long Barn Holiday Cottages’ top tips for healthy self-catering and home...

This month gave the UK an intense heatwave, with some of the hottest temperatures on record. The sudden heat sent us Brits into our failsafe heat coping mechanisms. We headed to the shops on mass and systematically cleared them of their burgers, sausages, rolls (just never enough), and – of course – everything in the ice cream aisle. Everything. Even the Soleros. But the school summer...

When properly prepared, a picnic is one of summer’s great joys. Eating al fresco seems to intensify the flavours in food. Meanwhile, the soft light and natural scenery work their magic. Kids go free-range and adults are off-duty. Everyone relaxes. Follow our simple steps below then enjoy an effortless family picnic or a romantic date night. We’re sharing the picnic recipes we’ve...