Short term rentals in England?
 

We are looking for 2 short-term rentals in the British Isles, each for a week, one near London and one possibly in Scotland, for 2007. There are 21 of us but most will be there for only one week; however, we need a place that sleeps at least 12. We've had very good luck finding beautiful places to rent in Spain, Italy and France, but we're striking out in Great Britain. Does anyone know of any websites or have personal information that could be of help? We are budgeting $5000/week.

I myself have not used this service, but I believe another Fodorite recommended it highly:

http://www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for?

This is worth looking into. Thanks, Tracey14.

Perhaps you might like to check: www.landmarktrust.org.uk, all in interesting historical buildings, similar to National Trust properties.

Landmark Trust won't rent to you (or show you their properties) until after you buy their $25 catalog.

And the National Trust doesn't have many properties of that size - and the ones there are will book very early to Trust members.

Here are two agencies that have a lot of larger properties in Scotland:

http://www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk/
http://www.lhhscotland.com/bookform.asp

Large places in London will be awfully expensive - I'd consider renting two or three flats in the same bldg instead. Like Scala House, Chelsea Cloisters or Dolphin Square.

You could rent out an entire hostel. This needn't be grim, as many in the UK are renovated, beautiful buildings with full facilities. The YHA has a well-developed program for just this sort of thing.

http://tinyurl.com/qpnyf

Hi ...

Try doing a google search on "Country Cottages" or "Welcome cottages" - they are the same company but with different types of property. Cover London & Scotland.

Either that or pick a town/area in Scotland/London & do a google search for cottages - you should be able to find something.

Mark

Try celticcastles.com.

Thanks for the suggestions - all are welcome! I'll check them all out.

Don't mean to promot Landmark Trust, but there are two interesting properties for years I always wish I had enough people travelling together to fill it up: one is near London-inside Hampron Court (two places: one for 6 people, one for 8 people, totally cost around 2-3 thousand pounds weekly); the other is near Edinburgh-Roslin (made world famous by Da Vinci Code), the castle and house totally for 13 people around 2000 pounds per week.

also the term 'self catering' is generally used in the UK for cottages -- try this with a specific location

It's not near London or Scotland and I can't vouch for this specific property, but we love Newton Ferrers where this sleeps 35 place is located. It is in Devon, near Plymouth. You'd need a car, but it is a tranquil spot and near lots of great places. I've browsed this site and thought it might be fun with a large group -- just a suggestion http://www.sykescottages.co.uk and cottage #966

I'm not trying to cause trouble, but:

Friends have booked Landmark properties after selecting them from a handbook they borrowed from me, so ...
Or, if you need to order a book to select a property, I'm 99 percent sure you can ask Landmark to credit you the $25 toward the cost of your booking.
I just considered my $25 a donation. They do great work.

They have many large and exceptionally beautiful properties in England and Scotland (and the US and Italy) within your budget that I think you would really like, as other posters have said.
Have a great time!

Bluehour: I wasn't slamming the Landmark Trust. It is a WONDERFUL organization and has truly unique properties. I only meant they can't see any of the properties w/o having the catalog. Yes they do get credit for the $25 towards the rental fee. But they should order the catalog ASAP since many places book up far in advance. BTW - the Landmark Trust also has about 5 or 6 properties in Vermont -- and the catalog will be posted from New England so you don't have to wait weeks to get it.

Finding someone in the States who has a copy of the catalog to borrow would be pretty rare. (mine is under lock and key :) )

If you like to fantasize about staying in places like Hampton Court & Roslin, the Landmark catalog is great to have. It's big and thick and full of pictures of historic places to stay all over Britain, I love reading mine.