Holiday cottages and villas

In the summer, the village is a hive of activity. Attracted to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its pretty stone homes, a hotel named best in the country and a large seal population, the visitors come in great numbers when the sun is shining

One of the prettiest villages in England has been emptied of locals, aside from those who have found a way to beat the effects of mass tourism.

In the summer, Blakeney in North Norfolk is a hive of activity. Attracted to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its pretty stone homes, a hotel named best in the country and a large seal population, the visitors come in great numbers when the sun is shining.

In the winter, it’s a different matter. Visitor numbers plummet and many of the former fishing cottages stand empty. It’s a dilemma for those who work in the hospitality industry in the area. “It is a double-edged sword for me,” Tore Hill, who works in the Manor Hotel, told the Mirror during a visit to the town at the end of November.

It’s obvious why people come. Blakeney is a lovely place. Just metres from the front of the award-winning Manor Coastal Hotel and Inn is the River Glaven, which winds its way through the National Nature Reserve. Blakeney Point is renowned for its seal colonies, with Beans Boat offering guided tours throughout the year.

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OPINION

Milo Boyd

In the 19th century, the coastal village was much closer to the sea than it is today. The estuary has silted up over the past 100 years, coinciding with the decline of the fishing industry in the area, which has prevented all but the smallest boats from reaching the quay. What was once a fishing village is now a tourism village. In the summer, Blakeney’s two pubs and three hotels are packed full.

“I love living here, but unfortunately, during the summer, it is just a full, full village. There’s far too much traffic going through such a small place, but that does mean I’m busy with my work, which is fantastic. The cottages and second homes are so quiet during the winter. It’s sad to know that there are so many people who’d love to live in those houses, but unfortunately, they can’t live in them permanently. They’re sitting there empty during the winter, and then it’s so, so busy during the summer. It’s a tricky one for me, as working in the tourist industry, I need it to be busy. But to see the small village that’s very quaint and dainty overrun with people, yeah, it’s a lot,” Tore continued.

Tore is one of the few people born and raised in Blakeney who hasn’t inherited a home but continues to live there today. She moved back to the area a decade ago, after returning from a whirlwind romance in Libya. Because she was born in the village of 400 houses, she could sign up to the Blakeney Neighbourhood Housing Society.

The Society’s website explains its mission. “The price of housing has risen steeply as many properties have become second homes or places to retire to, and many local people can no longer afford to buy or rent them. The purpose of the Blakeney Neighbourhood Housing Society, founded 1946, is to provide affordable housing for local people. It owns 39 houses and cottages in Blakeney or neighbouring villages and they are all let at affordable rents to tenants with a local birth tie.”

Fifty years ago, tens of millions of people across the UK were in Tore’s position, with 30% of the entire population living in social housing of some kind. After decades of Right to Buy and slow building rates, that figure has been slashed in half.

“I started working at the hotel at 14, and lived in the area my whole life. Working in a hotel and in the trade that it is all around here, the chances of buying a house would just be impossible. I was lucky enough to be signed up to Blakeney Housing Society in 2017, and then moved in in 2019,” Tore continued.

“It has changed my whole life. It means I can be around my whole family. A lot of my friends who were born and bred here couldn’t live here due to housing problems, so they moved away to somewhere cheaper. But it is the perfect place to live. There’s community spirit, it’s a very olde-worlde place. I’d never want to be anywhere else but here.”

The figures underline the stark reality of the place. House prices in the Blakeney area sell for an average price of £714,000 as of November 2025, according to OnTheMarket – three times the national average of £273,000. According to the Office for National Statistics, the median average salary in North Norfolk is £571 a week.

Thanks to her controlled rent, Tore pays just £478 a month for her family home.

Clearly concerned with the huge gap between average incomes and house prices, earlier this year the district council decided to act. It imposed an additional 100% premium on top of the Council Tax bills of owners, leaseholders, or tenants of second homes in North Norfolk, meaning they will pay double the amount for their second home.

Blakeney Parish Council chairman Rosemary Thew has said that the measure is not designed to keep tourists away, making clear that tourism is a “big part of the village economy”. However, she admitted that the number of second and holiday homes in the area was a major issue.

“The volume of second homes is very high, around half. It’s pushing prices up quite considerably. It means that, as far as locals are concerned, they can’t afford to live here. It’s a lovely place to live but you’ve got people [taking up dwellings] who are not key workers. A lot are retired people or second home owners. In winter time, it’s [the impact] particularly marked. The streets are jet black because there are no lights on in houses,” she told Mail Online.

Do you live in a village that’s been impacted by tourism? We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected]

Hoseasons has launched its Black Friday sale, which includes discounts on thousands of breaks, and there’s one near The Tolkien Trail.

Hoseasons, who operate 750 holiday parks across the UK, has launched a huge Black Friday sale, with discounts on a number of its family-friendly staycations.

The holiday park operator will be offering up to 30% off over 10,000 of its breaks, and 40,000 with discounts of up to £250. The sale will include self-catering accommodation at holiday parks, lodges, and even their boat holidays.

Best of all, parents on a budget will be able to find some bargains even during school holiday weeks, with a range of inexpensive breaks available, including some that work out at just over £50 a night during the summer holidays.

A family of four could book a seven-night break at Beacon Fell View in the Ribble Valley of Lancashire for just £295, with accommodation in a silver three-bedroom caravan.

This is based on a break starting August 21, 2026 and works out at just £52.14 per night. The park is close to the Lake District and Blackpool, meaning there’s plenty for families to do nearby.

It also has an indoor swimming pool, so kids can enjoy the water even if the British summer doesn’t bring warm weather, plus lots of entertainment facilities.

The Ribble Valley

The Ribble Valley is a beautiful place to explore with lots of open countryside and lush green hills. Bring the kids bikes along and try the family friendly cycling trail at Gisburn Forest.

At just over 5.5 miles long, the route has plenty to see along the way from a horse farm to the calm waters of Stocks Reservoir.

Just down the road is the The Tolkien Trail where you can follow in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien, and see the sights that inspired the author to write books such as Lord of the Rings.

Take a day trip to Blackpool for traditional seaside vibes and lots of family fun. Visit the SEA LIFE Centre where the new Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse is bound to thrill the younger members of your group.

Kids will love climbing and crawling through the deep, dark woods and finding their favourite characters in this immersive experience.

Another option for families is a seven-night break available at North Shore Holiday Park, just a short walk from Skegness, starting July 22, 2026.

This is priced at just £285 for four people. This is a one-bedroom apartment, but it has additional sleeping space in the lounge for two.

The site has its own pub and restaurant, playground, and amusements, plus Skegness’s North Beach is just a 15-minute walk away with golden sands and a seal sanctuary.

Skegness Beach was recently voted the best in East England by The Times, who rated the water quality as excellent, and said of the beach: “It’s big, soft and golden, with views across the Wash to the Norfolk coast.”

Skegness also has the Pleasure Beach, a seafront theme park with rollercoasters and lots of family fun. There’s also Skegness Aquarium which has lots of colourful and exotic sea life to spot.

It also has Jurassic Falls, a dinosaur-themed area where you can meet life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that bring the past to life.

If you can’t wait until summer to get away, how about an Easter break? You can book four nights for four sharing at Hemsby Beach Holiday Park for March 30, 2026, which is in most schools’ Easter break dates, for just £135.

This bargain price includes accommodation in a two-bedroom chalet, and includes access to an indoor pool and the show bar with daytime and evening entertainment for all ages.

The park is located in a lively part of Norfolk, with lots of amusements, classic seaside fun, plus long sandy beaches for spring walks.

Great Yarmouth is just a 20-minute drive away with its sandy beach, historic pier, and Joyland, an old-school amusement park that has classic rides the kids will love.

Yarmouth is also home of the Hippodrome Circus, a unique venue from the early 20th century which has huge events and water shows, with the summer months bringing a popular circus to the town.

For May half term week, you can book a four-night break arriving May 25, 2026 near the Yorkshire Dales for just £249 for four people.

Stay in the highly-rated Badgers Retreat Holiday Park, with accommodation in a cosy two-bedroom traditional lodge that has everything you need for a family holiday.

The lodge is set in 26 acres of grounds with plenty of space for the kids to play, and the market town of Richmond is nearby with historic sites to explore.

Visitors can explore the local Swaledale Museum, a quaint local spot that focuses on preserving the history of the lead mining community who used to live in the area.

You’re also close to the 14th century Bolton Castle, a well-preserved medieval building that has vast gardens including a maze. Eagle-eyed TV viewers may recognise it as a filming location for shows including Heartbeat and All Creatures Great and Small.

All these deals are subject to availability, with popular dates and parks likely to sell out quickly. The Hoseasons Black Friday sale ends on December 4. Find out more and book breaks here.

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This gorgeous city is better in November, but in summertime huge anti-tourism demos took place – and I understand why residents in this stunning place are so angry.

I’ve just touched down in the UK from a Spanish city that was basking in a balmy 26C in November, with hardly any tourists in sight. The destination has recently been dubbed an anti- tourism holiday spot, but all the locals I encountered were incredibly welcoming – and I got a glimpse into why some holidaymakers might not be as welcome.

Having visited Palma in Mallorca several times over the years, this was my first off-peak trip to the largest Balearic island, but I’d certainly consider a November visit again. The weather was still delightfully warm and sunny, the Mallorcan people I met were extremely friendly, and it was a real treat to explore the city and the island without the usual throngs of tourists.

During the summer of 2025, the height of the tourist season, large-scale anti-tourism protests erupted on the streets of Palma, with locals brandishing signs telling holidaymakers to go home – and frankly, I can’t blame them.

I can empathise with their tourism grievances, having grown up in Devon where similar issues arise – and I’ve even had the experience of living next door to an Airbnb a few years back which brought its own set of problems with non-locals.

Mallorca grapples with over-tourism during the summer months when the island is swamped with visitors. However, travelling off-peak is a more sustainable way to appreciate the island while respecting the locals – and it offers a genuine taste of Mallorcan life, reports the Express.

Despite being a Brit myself, I can’t help but acknowledge that some of our fellow countrymen can be quite the nuisance in popular holiday destinations, with their excessive drinking and disruptive behaviour tarnishing the reputation of many a Spanish resort.

Adding to this, the surge in short-term holiday rentals has spiralled out of control in numerous sought-after locations, including the Mallorcan city of Palma and other Spanish hotspots like Barcelona.

This issue of residential properties being converted into holiday cottages or Airbnb lettings is a global phenomenon, affecting places from Cornwall to London, Spain to America, and everywhere in between.

A local family residing in Mallorca shared with me that the island’s peak season is a living nightmare for them, with parking woes and a significant increase in traffic causing chaos.

The family expressed their struggle to enjoy the summer months as the beaches become “too crowded”, parking becomes a mission impossible, and many eateries, particularly in Palma, are “too busy”.

One native Mallorcan woman voiced her frustration, stating that many locals are irate due to skyrocketing rents – a consequence of mass holiday rentals like Airbnb in a neighbourhood which inflate the ‘average’ rent due to an overall comparison (which includes high holiday home rents).

She also highlighted a “worrying shortage of affordable housing”, particularly in the capital, Palma. Given that Mallorca is a relatively small island, about 62 miles wide, constructing more “affordable” homes isn’t a straightforward solution.

One can’t help but ponder: if all these holiday homes were converted back into residences for locals, would there still be a housing crisis in the UK – or indeed in Mallorca?

Prioritising tourism creates environments that become nearly uninhabitable for local residents, which seems nonsensical. It’s clear that something is amiss when governments aren’t prioritising housing for locals – and the need to protest is entirely understandable.

Over-tourism also results in excessive traffic, unmanageable crowds and significant parking issues, creating an unpleasant environment for both residents and visitors. During my time in Mallorca, I navigated the island by bus, which was simple and efficient.

Strolling through Palma’s tree-lined streets in November, when tourists are few and far between, is my idea of a city break. Although the Christmas lights haven’t been switched on yet, they will be soon (on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 8pm).

I can envision how stunning the festive lights will look once the official Christmas lights switch-on takes place in Palma, as star-shaped decorations were already adorning the streets in preparation for this event.

The streets of Palma were so pristine and clean, I didn’t spot a single person littering, whereas in the UK, it’s not uncommon to see adults – and children – discarding rubbish on the roads or in scenic areas.

During my stay in Mallorca, I lodged at the HM Palma Blanc hotel, a truly friendly and luxurious place that offered comfort and an incredible breakfast. I tend to steer clear of Airbnb-style holiday lets as much as possible, recognising the havoc they can wreak in tourist-heavy areas.

With a plethora of markets in the capital city, independent shops, and fantastic eateries, I’d certainly consider another winter visit to Mallorca – it was genuinely delightful.

A village named the world’s prettiest by Forbes in 2025 is introducing new bans and restrictions to stop visitors from frustrating locals and overwhelming the place

A UK village named the most beautiful in the world is considering new ways to keep visitors away after strict rules were introduced this summer.

Bibury, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, is an undeniably picturesque location. It features honey-coloured stone cottages, a gently meandering river, and a historic, fairytale ambience. Its appeal prompted Forbes to crown it the world’s prettiest village for 2025, roughly 150 years after poet William Morris dubbed Bibury “the most beautiful village in England.”

The cottages of Arlington Row are frequently described as the most photographed and stunning cottages in Britain. Constructed in 1380 as a monastic wool store, it was subsequently transformed into a row of weavers’ cottages in the 17th century.

It’s not difficult to understand why Bibury receives such high praise, with lodging choices including the Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub both inviting inside and adorned with climbing plants outside. The village’s appeal has placed Bibury firmly on the tourist map. And now, some residents say, things are becoming unmanageable.

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OPINION

Milo Boyd

Chairman of the local parking action group, Mark Honeyball, who has lived in Bibury for 10 years, has endured very unpleasant encounters with visitors. He told the Express that he asked a coach driver to move on from some double yellow lines before the unthinkable happened.

He said: “I’ve been physically attacked four times now, but once really quite badly two weeks ago, I was kicked in the chest and stomach and kneed and punched in the face full force by a driver that I’d just asked simply to move on from double yellows at the top of the village.

“The coach drivers themselves are being pushed here by their coach companies, they don’t really want to be here, they find it really difficult to park. The tour operators are the key behind this, the coach operators are doing what the tour operators ask them to do, primarily with people from China, India, and South Korea at the moment.”

As many as 20,000 visitors descended on Bibury in a weekend, with up to 50 coaches parking there daily. That’s an enormous figure for a village with just 600 inhabitants. Now, following a trial during the summer months, Gloucestershire County Council is planning to introduce permanent restrictions on coaches entering the village.

Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the council, told the BBC: “Bibury is one of the Cotswolds’ most iconic destinations, but its popularity has created real challenges. These proposals aim to safeguard the village, curb congestion, and preserve its unique charm.

Additional proposals have been put forward to control the chaos. These include:

• Banning coaches from driving through the centre, except at specified drop-off/pick-up points.
• Extending yellow lines to prevent illegal parking and congestion.Introducing pay-and-display parking for visitors, with exemptions for residents.
• Improving short-term parking access, particularly near the village school and church.
• Adding raised kerbs and seating to further pedestrianise parts of the centre and enhance safety.

Restrictions on coaches entering the village were introduced in May. At that time, parking bays in the centre of the village were closed and new public bus stop clearways were installed. The aim was to halt “unsafe coach manoeuvres.

Plans to make these changes permanent are backed by a group called Bibury One, which includes representatives from the local community, parish councillors, coach and tour operators, the county council, as well as Gloucestershire Constabulary.

If approved, the measures could be implemented by early summer 2026.

The picturesque village is home to a 16th-century bridge now buckling under the strain of a staggering 40,000 vehicles rumbling through each month during busy periods.

The house that served as the home of Doris in the hit BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey is now available to rent for holidaymakers who want to immerse themselves in the world of the show

Attention, Gavin and Stacey superfans – you can now book a stay in one of the iconic houses from the hit BBC One sitcom. Trinity Street in Barry, with views of the Island, was the fictional home to Gwen and Stacey, Uncle Bryn and their cheeky neighbour Doris, played by actor Margaret John.

When the show returned in 2019, Doris’ house became the family home for Gavin and Stacey and their children, after it was passed down to them following her death. Gwen’s house (played by Melanie Walters) has always been a fan favourite, but now the neighbouring property is available for rent for holidaymakers wanting to experience the world of Gavin and Stacey.

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The red-brick terrace, named Lush House, is owned by Lisa and Chris Molloy, who are huge fans of the show. They were the first to view the property when it went on sale and managed to buy it, having loved the sitcom since it first aired in 2008, according to Wales Online.

You can book Lush House through Sykes Cottages for as early as next week, with prices starting from £472 for a two-night stay. If split between five people, this works out at around £47 per person per night.

The house comfortably sleeps five guests in two bedrooms: one double and another with a three-person bunk. The snug living and dining area is equipped with an electric fire, TV and WiFi for cosy nights in after a day of exploring, along with a dining table – just don’t forget the salad!

The property is already fully booked for Christmas week (we’re sure whoever has nabbed it is planning a Gavin and Stacey marathon) but there’s plenty of other availability in November and December.

The house has been the setting for some of Gavin and Stacey’s most memorable moments, including saucy Doris snogging toyboy Scott, making a pass at Gav on the doorstep, and in the 2019 and 2024 Christmas specials, it was the backdrop for the whole gang to celebrate Christmas as Uncle Bryn’s military operation dinner was (part) cooked there.

Step outside the front door and you’re just minutes away from Barry’s vibrant high street and Barry Island – where Marco’s Café, the slots and the chip shops are at the beach front – is just a half-hour walk away.

You can book Lush House with Sykes Cottages here, and for other holiday lets in Barry, try Holidaycottages.com and Vrbo.