Swimming pools, fabulous views and radical architecture: 30 UK holiday cottages with the wow factor
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: Use 'will' + 'base verb' to talk about future plans or predictions.
I will visit my grandmother next week.
EN: The term 'staycation' is often used in the UK to describe this trend of spending holidays in one's own country instead of traveling abroad.
EN: The word 'say' can be followed by a sentence (clause) to report what someone thinks or says. The word 'that' is often omitted in simple English.
Teachers say it will be a sunny day.
EN: In the UK, a 'big year' for travel often refers to a trend called 'staycation,' where people choose to holiday within their own country instead of traveling abroad, usually due to economic reasons or convenience.
EN: Use 'so' to connect a cause (reason) with an effect (result).
It is raining, so I will take an umbrella.
EN: In recent years, 'staycations' (vacations spent in one's home country) have become popular in the UK due to rising travel costs and environmental concerns.
EN: Use 'will' + base verb to talk about future plans or predictions.
We will visit the museum tomorrow.
EN: In the UK, 'staycations' (holidays spent in one's own country) have become very popular due to rising travel costs and environmental concerns.
EN: The phrase 'There are' is used to say that something exists. We use 'are' because the subject (holiday cottages) is plural.
There are many beautiful flowers in the garden.
EN: In the UK, 'holiday cottages' are a very popular choice for domestic vacations (staycations). Many of these are historic buildings or converted barns located in the countryside or near the coast.
EN: Use 'some... and some...' to describe different groups or types of things within a larger category.
Some are red, and some are blue.
EN: In the UK, many old farm buildings (like barns or stables) are converted into high-quality holiday homes, preserving traditional architecture while offering modern comfort.
EN: Use 'or' to connect two choices or possibilities in a sentence.
Do you want tea or coffee?
EN: In the UK, holiday cottages are a popular alternative to hotels. People often look for specific features like 'swimming pools' or 'views' when booking a staycation.
EN: Use 'so' to connect a cause and a result. The first part is the reason, and the second part is what happens because of it.
It was raining, so I stayed at home.
EN: In the UK, 'holiday cottages' are a very popular way to spend vacations. Many are converted from historic buildings like barns or stables, which gives them the 'special architecture' mentioned in the text.
EN: The phrase 'is called' is used to give the name of a person, place, or thing. It follows the pattern: [Subject] + is called + [Name].
This flower is called a rose.
EN: In the UK, many traditional cottages have unique names instead of just street numbers. These names often reflect the building's history or its location, such as being near a riverbank.
EN: Using 'in' and 'near' to describe location. 'In' shows something is inside an area (a village), while 'near' shows something is close to a place (the coast).
The hotel is in a big city near the park.
EN: In the UK, many traditional holiday cottages are located in small coastal villages, which are popular destinations for 'staycations' (holidays spent in one's own country).
EN: The word 'and' is a conjunction used to connect two complete sentences that have a similar or related idea.
The hotel is small, and the staff is friendly.
EN: In the UK, many holiday cottages are family-run businesses rather than owned by large hotel chains, offering a more personal and 'homey' experience for travelers.
EN: Using multiple adjectives before a noun: When describing something with more than one adjective, we usually put opinion adjectives (nice, pretty) before age adjectives (old).
She has a beautiful old car.
EN: In the UK, 'old furniture' in a holiday cottage often implies 'antique' or 'vintage' style, which is considered charming and high-quality rather than just worn out.
EN: Use the word 'and' to connect two simple sentences that have similar or related ideas.
The room is big and the windows are clean.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express possibility or permission. It is followed by the base form of the verb (sit, read).
You can see the mountains from the window.
EN: In the UK, many traditional holiday cottages emphasize their connection to nature, such as having private gardens or being near waterways, which is a key part of the 'countryside escape' experience.
EN: Using 'away' to describe distance or time from a location.
The park is only five minutes away.
EN: Holkham is famous for its vast sandy beach and nature reserve in Norfolk, England. It is a popular destination for UK domestic travelers.
EN: The phrase 'There are' is used to say that something exists. We use 'are' because 'marshes' is plural (more than one).
There are many flowers in the garden.
EN: The UK is famous for its diverse natural landscapes, including marshes which are important habitats for migratory birds. Birdwatching is a very popular hobby in the British countryside.
EN: The verb 'sleep' can be used as a transitive verb to describe the maximum capacity of a building or vehicle (how many people it has beds for).
The hotel room can sleep three people.
EN: In the UK, 'holiday cottages' are a very popular form of self-catering accommodation, especially in rural areas like Norfolk. They often have specific rules about the maximum number of guests for insurance and safety reasons.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To remain in one's own house or country instead of going out or traveling abroad.
A specialized type of petroleum-based fuel used to power aircraft.
Located next to or very near the ocean.
In an area close to where the land meets the sea.