Welcome to this month’s edition of our newsletter! Get ready to dive into an array of captivating content that promises to enrich your English countryside experience.
In this issue, we invite you to virtually take a stroll with your host and chef Laura, through Well Cottage Gardens as she explains what they have been busy doing in preparation for this years first guests. Gain a sneak peek at our blossoming Well Cottage gardens through a stunning new video.
Discover our enticing range of New Releases, Current Offers and limited edition opportunities that promise unforgettable experiences at unbeatable values—act fast, as they won’t last long!
For a unique blend of companionship and luxury, learn more about our upcoming Newly Released Shared Cottage Week, this August! Perfect for couples and solo adventurers who want to experience the epitome of England during the height of the Summer months and before the English Schools break up for the Summer Holidays!
More British comedy to get you in the mood for some English humour with James Cordon and his co-creation Gavin and Stacey! Watch a sample and see if it’s for you!
This month we put a spotlight on The Cotswolds, just one of the many marvellous places on our list of exciting excursions. And Laura shares her recipe for the most delicious Dorset Lobster Benedict!
Stay tuned, join the adventure, and as always, we’re just a click away from turning your English Cottage Vacation dreams into reality. Ready to explore? Let’s go!
In this month’s issue:
- Video: Well Cottage gardens are blooming beautiful!
- Calling all Singles and Couples! New Release THIS SUMMER! Shared Cottage Week DISCOUNTED!: August 5th – 12th 2024. All 3 rooms available. Book now to avoid disappointment!
- Don’t Miss Out! New Shared Cottage Releases for 2025 and 2026! Have your ideal dates been released? Check them out and secure your dream vacation today!
- Deals Galore! Explore our current offers and limited editi0n experiences!
- WIN! English Picnic Basket Giveaway! Tell your friends!
- Telly Talk: Gavin & Stacey – with James Corden
- Featured British Saying: “Jolly Hockey Sticks!”
- Featured Excursion: The Cotswolds
- A Taste of Well Cottage: Laura’s Delectable Dorset Lobster Benedict!
- Guest Voices: Reviews and Testimonials
- This Month’s FAQ: Is Well Cottage a ‘Listed’ building?
- Last Word: Final Thought from Nathan & Laura
Video: Discover the Blossoming Beauty of Well Cottage Gardens!
Step into the vibrant world of Well Cottage as our gardens come to life in this exclusive video tour with Laura. Over the months, we’ve lovingly nurtured every bloom and blade, preparing a floral spectacle that awaits our guests each season. From the sweeping lawns adorned with a kaleidoscope of flowers to the rustic charm of our fruit and vegetable garden, every corner tells a story of dedication and care.
Witness first-hand where Chef Laura sources her organic ingredients, ensuring that the meals served are as fresh as they are delicious. Experience the tranquillity of our garden spaces, designed not just to please the eye but to enhance the peace and relaxation of your stay.
Click below to watch our gardens unfold in all their glory, setting the stage for your next escape to the enchanting English countryside!
Don’t Miss Out on Our Amazing Offers!
Unlock the door to your next adventure with English Cottage Vacation’s tantalising array of current offers and limited edition experiences! From Last Minute Deals that offer exceptional value, to uniquely themed, one-off experiences, our packages are designed to deliver an unparalleled holiday in the stunning English countryside.
Whether it’s soaking up history with World War II themes or enjoying an air show from the comfort of our luxury accommodations, there’s something special waiting just for you!
Act fast—these offers are highly sought after and availability is limited! Secure your spot now to enjoy additional nights free or unique activities that elevate your stay into something truly memorable. All offers are inclusive, ensuring every detail is taken care of. Just book your flights, and let us handle the rest.
Snap up your perfect English Cottage Vacation package today!
Explore Our Current Offers! CLICK HERE!
NEW RELEASE! 7 Night, Shared Cottage Week!
- August 5th – 12th, 2024!
- Incredible sightseeing itinerary – CLICK HERE!
- All-inclusive luxury just a click away!
- Designed specifically for singles and couples who just love England!
IT’S ON OFFER!!
We want to fill this final 2024 week with gorgeous guests SO badly we are offering
10 % OFF ALL BELOW PRICES!
ALL 3 ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW!
Double Occupancy:
Room 1 – $12,000.00 USD / $15,500.00 CAD
Room 2 – $10,500.00 USD / $13,500.00 CAD
Room 3 – $9,000.00 USD / $11,500.00 CAD
Single Occupancy:
Room 1 – $9,000.00 USD / $11,500.00 CAD
Room 2 – $8,000.00 USD / $10,250.00 CAD
Room 3 – $7.000.00 USD / $9,000.00 CAD
Plus 10% OFF all listed prices!
Is this is the first you’ve ever heard about our ALL INCLUSIVE, SHARED COTTAGE EXPERIENCES?
Then read on, or visit our dedicated page – CLICK HERE!
Experience the charm and hospitality of an English Cottage Vacation during our exclusive Shared Cottage week, specifically tailored for couples and solo travellers.
From August 5th to 12th, all three of our beautifully appointed bedrooms are now available for booking, offering a unique opportunity to meet like-minded explorers.
Each room in Well Cottage combines traditional elegance with modern comfort, featuring cosy furnishings, luxurious bedding, and picturesque views of the Dorset countryside.
During your stay, indulge in gourmet meals prepared by our resident chef Laura, featuring local produce and flavours that encapsulate the region’s culinary heritage.
Our Shared Cottage Experience isn’t just about splendid accommodations and fine dining. It includes tailor-made excursions to Dorset’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
Whether it’s exploring ancient castles, strolling through historic towns, or enjoying the natural beauty of the Jurassic Coast, our dedicated chauffeur and guide, Nathan, ensures every outing is memorable.
This week is more than a getaway; it’s an immersive experience in British culture and camaraderie. Join us for a week of adventure, relaxation, and connection. Book your spot now and become part of the English Cottage Vacation family!
Secure your place in this unique gathering! We have also released lots of available dates for 2025 – so do enquire now to save your space!
Discover Newly Released 2025 and 2026 Shared Cottage Dates – CLICK HERE!
Book now to avoid disappointment!
Tell Your Friends! Will One Of You Be Next Month’s
Picnic Basket Winner?!
If you’re reading this then you already know that you are in with a chance of winning a beautiful English made picnic basket just by being subscribed to this Monthly Newsletter! But why not give your friends and family the opportunity to win as well?
Just copy and paste the link to your England loving friends and family via email or message and it will take them straight to the Newsletter enrolment page!
Our next winner will be announced next month! Make sure you check in to find out if it’s you!
This elegant basket is crafted from finely steamed willow, complemented by stylish tan leather straps, making every picnic an exquisite dining experience amidst the beauty of nature!
Compact and practical with dimensions of L 40cm x W 30cm x H 19cm, it’s ideally suited for romantic alfresco meals.
Designed for enthusiasts of leisurely walks and tranquil park visits, this basket is equipped with all the essentials for a picturesque outing. It includes:
- 2 fine china plates
- 2 wine glasses
- A cosy tartan picnic blanket
- A bottle opener
- Soft napkins
- A cooler bag to keep your treats fresh
- Stainless steel cutlery for a touch of luxury
If you are our next lucky winner, please get in touch via email to claim your basket, confirm your registered winning email, and provide your delivery address so we can dispatch your prize promptly!
We look forward to hearing about the delightful moments and memories you’ll craft with your new picnic accessory! For those still dreaming of their ideal picnic experience, keep your eyes peeled – more prizes are coming for our valued subscribers!
Simply stay subscribed to our captivating monthly newsletters for your chance to win, and here’s to many splendid picnics in the beautiful English countryside!
Featured Great British TV: Gavin & Stacey with James Corden!
Gavin & Stacey, a gem of British television, captivated audiences with its heartfelt and humorous portrayal of a long-distance relationship between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Wales. Created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who also starred as the unforgettable Smithy and Nessa, the series balanced the quirks and charms of British family life, leaving fans laughing and sometimes teary-eyed from 2007 to 2010. After a suspenseful Christmas special in 2019, fans are eagerly anticipating another holiday reunion in 2024!
James Corden, who co-created and acted in the series, has since become a household name globally, especially in the US where he hosted the popular The Late Late Show and created the viral Carpool Karaoke series. His early hint at musical antics shone through in Gavin & Stacey with a memorable rap performance that now seems a precursor to his Carpool Karaoke fame!
With a new Christmas special reportedly in the works, the excitement is building. This next chapter is set to bring back all the beloved characters and introduce us to their lives several years down the line. Don’t miss a beat of this cultural phenomenon—click below to watch James Corden in the clip that foreshadows his Carpool Karaoke adventures, and stay tuned for the upcoming special!
Featured British Saying: Jolly Hockey Sticks!
The phrase “Jolly Hockey Sticks!” bubbles with the quintessential enthusiasm of an English public schoolgirl. Coined by actress Beryl Reid in the early 1950s, it conjures images of boisterous excitement and upper-middle-class zest. Reid’s character, Monica, reportedly used this expression in the 1950s comedy radio programme Educating Archie to embody the spirited exuberance typical of school life, making the phrase synonymous with high-energy approval.
At English Cottage Vacation, guests might not be swinging hockey sticks, but the atmosphere often sparkles with the same joyful energy! You’ll find many moments that might just make you exclaim, “Jolly Hockey Sticks!”
Featured Excursion: The Cotswolds
Embark on a journey to The Cotswolds, an area that epitomises the quintessential English countryside across almost 800 square miles in five counties—Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.
This enchanting region is celebrated for its idyllic villages of honey-coloured stone, vibrant market towns, and majestic landscapes known as the ‘wolds’.
Delve into picturesque spots like Bourton-on-the-water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower & Upper Slaughter and Bibury. Each offers postcard-perfect scenes bustling with country pubs, quaint tearooms, and unique local shops.
Delve into picturesque spots like Bourton-on-the-water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower & Upper Slaughter and Bibury. Each offers postcard-perfect scenes bustling with country pubs, quaint tearooms, and unique local shops.
The cultural vibrancy of towns like Cheltenham, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, and Witney pulsates with festivals and artistic events, showcasing the region’s creative spirit. Local produce stars in the menus of gastro pubs and fine dining restaurants, ensuring every meal encapsulates the local heritage.
Explore this stunning landscape with English Cottage Vacation, where our dedicated chauffeur Nathan ensures every journey is truly comfortable, and resident chef Laura will prepare gourmet picnics for you to enjoy on your adventures!.
Historic trails wind past grand palaces, ancient castles, and stately homes, while over 3,000 miles of footpaths invite leisurely strolls or vigorous hikes through native woodlands and wildflower meadows!
Travel Tips:
- Time Needed: Ideally a day, but the area is rich enough for extended exploration!
- Travel Time: Approximately two hours’ delightful countryside drive from Well Cottage!
- Local Tip from Nathan & Laura: Visit early in the summer months to avoid the crowds—’the early bird gets the worm’ rings especially true here!
Stay tuned for our next newsletter featuring charming Wardour in Wiltshire, another fantastic excursion destination where guests can explore both the Old and ‘New’ Wardour Castles—plus much more!
Explore all of our amazing excursions – CLICK HERE!
Featured Recipe: Laura’s Delectable Dorset Lobster Benedict!
Serves 4 people
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cooked lobster / Lobster meat. Or 1 whole fresh lobster.
- English muffins sliced in half and toasted
- 4 eggs
- Fresh dill
- 1 cup unsalted butter
Hollandaise Sauce
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or use butter that the lobster was poached in)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Directions:
Butter Poached Lobster
(If you are buying cooked lobster, you can reheat gently in a pan over medium low heat in about a tablespoon of butter or water until warmed through.)
- Using sharp pair of kitchen scissors, cut down the full length of underside and top of the lobster tail.
- Gently pull the shell apart and pry the meat from the shell. Pat the meat dry with a paper towel and season very lightly with salt and pepper.
- Add the unsalted butter to a frying pan and melt it over medium heat.
- Once the butter is hot, add the lobster meat and lower the temperature to medium low and allow them to cook about 2 minutes on each side or until they are opaque completely through. Cutting one open is perfectly okay, you’re cutting the lobster up anyway.
- Once the lobster is fully cooked, place it onto a chopping board, chop into big chunks of lobster, and set aside.
Blender Hollandaise
- Add the egg yolks and lemon juice into your blender. Pulse the egg yolk mixture until it lightens in colour, about 20 seconds.
- Once the egg mixture has lightened in colour, turn the blender on to its lowest setting and drizzle in the hot melted butter slowly, while the blender is going.
- Continue to blend for another couple seconds after the butter is all incorporated.
- Turn off the blender and add about ½ teaspoon salt and pepper and just a pinch of cayenne, if using. Give a taste, it should be buttery, lemony, and a little salty.
- If you want a thinner consistency, add a little warm water. Pulse briefly to combine the ingredients one more time so the sauce doesn’t separate.
Poaching the Eggs
- Bring a 12 inch saute pan with about 3 inches of water to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- While the water is coming up to a simmer, carefully crack an egg into a small mesh sieve to remove the watery albumin. Move it around the sieve gently to get all the watery egg white to drain. Put the egg into a small bowl. Repeat this step and place each egg into its own bowl.
- Once you see columns of bubbles in the water, place the egg(s) into the pan and set a timer for 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Make sure your water doesn’t begin to boil, if the eggs are moving around a lot, turn the heat down slightly.
- Once the eggs are poached, use a slotted spoon to scoop the eggs out and place them onto a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
To Serve
Place two lightly toasted English muffin halves cut side up on a plate. Repeat on another plate. Top them with a generous amount of lobster meat, then place a poach egg onto each English muffin half. Pour the Hollandaise sauce over each egg, then top with fresh dill.
Serve with a side of crispy bacon!
This is truly scrumptious! Enjoy!
Guest Voices: Reviews & Testimonials
Don’t just take it from us – here’s what our guests have been saying!
Website Reviews
Google Reviews
Tripadvisor Reviews
Featured FAQ: Is Well Cottage ‘Listed’?
No! And it’s a good thing because it would not make your stay as enjoyable! Listed properties are considered to have irreplaceable historic value, which means they can’t be modernised in all the ways that Well Cottage has been! So you can experience truly exquisite comforts whilst still enjoying all the historic charms of this authentic 18th-century English thatched cottage!
To view our other Frequently Asked Questions, CLICK HERE!
Our Final Thought…
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” — Audrey Hepburn
At English Cottage Vacation, the timeless act of gardening reaches beyond the soil—it touches the souls of those who wander through our lush landscapes. Each seed planted is a testament to our belief in the beauty of tomorrow, a beauty that unfolds in the vibrant blooms and verdant expanses that surround Well Cottage.
The joy of gardening is matched only by the delight we see in our guests as they explore the tranquil gardens and gaze out at the pristine countryside that defines Dorset. It’s in these moments, amidst the wonders of nature, that we find our greatest rewards. The smiles of our guests, their moments of peaceful reflection, and their shared experiences of awe are the true fruits of our labours.
As we nurture our gardens, we also cultivate an environment where every visitor can find a moment of connection—whether it’s a quiet conversation beneath a shady tree, an inspired snapshot of a butterfly, or a leisurely stroll along a flower-bordered path.
Let the coming months be a celebration of growth, not just of the flowers, lawns and trees that enhance our little estate, but of the personal journeys that each guest embarks upon when they step into our luxurious haven. Here’s to a summer filled with flourishing gardens and flourishing hearts!
With gratitude and renewed hope,
Laura & Nathan
