A new contender in the holiday-rental market is English Heritage — the Government’s adviser on historic environment and conservation — which cares for more than 400 historic properties.
It is offering six properties for rent, including a cottage in the grounds of Osborne House — Queen Victoria’s holiday home — on the Isle of Wight.
All six properties have been refurbished. A spokeswoman for English Heritage says that up to 30 more such historic locations will be opened in two years: “We’re taking guests to help pay for maintenance,” she said.
The Custodian’s Cottage in Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII around 1540-45, is now open. It sleeps two — a one-week rental starts at £385, with a long weekend break costing £185. Booking for all properties starts on February 27, and they are available from April 3, 2006.
English Heritage’s foray follows the successes of the National Trust and Landmark Trust, which have more than 300 and 183 properties respectively. Katherine Oakes, marketing and PR manager for the Landmark Trust, said: “We encourage any initiative that means more people experience historic buildings and thereby contribute towards their protection.”
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Details: English Heritage (0870 3331187, www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages), The National Trust (0870 4584422, www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk), The Landmark Trust (01628 825925, www.landmarktrust.org.uk), Vivat Trust Holidays (0845 0900194, www.vivat.org.uk).