Welcome to our July 2026 newsletter!
If there’s one word to describe this past month, it would have to be… hot!
Much of England has been basking in an extended spell of glorious sunshine, with temperatures regularly climbing into the 30s and, on several occasions, exceeding 35°C (95°F). While we’ve certainly enjoyed the beautiful weather, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Across much of the countryside, the grass has turned a golden brown as the unusually dry conditions have taken their toll.
Thankfully, one of the greatest blessings of living at Well Cottage is our beautiful natural well. It has allowed us to keep the cottage gardens, flower borders, vegetable patches and greenhouse flourishing throughout the heatwave. While we’ve reluctantly allowed the lawns to take a well-earned summer rest, everything else has continued to thrive, filling the garden with an abundance of colour, fragrance and fresh produce.
July has also been one of our busiest harvesting months of the year. From strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants to broad beans, French beans, courgettes, onions, potatoes and herbs, the kitchen has been overflowing with homegrown ingredients, many of which have found their way straight from the garden onto our guests’ plates. We’ll be sharing some of our favourite harvest photographs with you later in this month’s newsletter.
This month, we’re excited to share:
- Featured Additional Location – A spotlight on one of our extended stay locations. Port Isaac in Cornwall
- Featured Excursion – A closer look at one of the experiences included in our itineraries, Moors Valley Country Park & Forest
- Exploring Our Corner of England – Springhead Trust
- Guest Review
- Guest Gallery – A few favourite moments from recent guests.
- Local News Corner – The Fontmell Magna Friendship Garden
- Famous Faces – Sir David Attenborough’s long links to Dorset
- Behind the Scenes at English Cottage Vacation Featured Blog – Why a chauffeur is a vacation game changer
- A Taste of Well Cottage – Laura shares the recipe for her delicious Blackcurrant Coulis
- Your chance to buy Laura’s Recipe Book
- Travel Advisor Programme – A chance to work with English Cottage Vacation and bring this wonderful experience to your clients.
- Help Us Improve – We’d love your feedback! Complete our short survey to help shape future newsletters.
- Picnic Basket Winner – Find out who has won this month’s English Cottage Vacation picnic basket. Could it be YOU?
- Everything You Need to Know – Quick links to planning your itinerary, FAQs, payment information, cancellation policies and everything else you need to plan your stay.
- UK ETA Reminder A helpful reminder for international guests travelling to the UK.
- Step Inside Our Community – Join our For the Love of England Facebook community and share your passion for England with fellow Anglophiles.
So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and enjoy a tantalising taste of England…
Featured Additional Location: Port Isaac, Cornwall
If you’ve been following our newsletters for a while, you may already have heard us talk about our Additional Location Option. If not, here’s a quick introduction to one of our favourite ways to help guests experience even more of England.
Our Additional Location Option allows you to extend your vacation by adding three to five nights in another part of the country, seamlessly incorporated into the middle of your seven-night stay at Well Cottage. You’ll begin your holiday with a few days exploring Dorset before Nathan and I chauffeur you to your chosen destination, where we’ll continue hosting your vacation with a carefully planned itinerary of sightseeing, dining and memorable experiences. Once your additional stay comes to an end, we’ll return to Well Cottage for the final few days of your holiday before taking you to your onward hotel or the airport.
One of our favourite Additional Location Options is Cornwall, with the beautiful fishing village of Port Isaac being just one of the many places we love to share with our guests.
Famous around the world as the filming location for the much-loved television series Doc Martin, Port Isaac is a wonderfully picturesque harbour village on Cornwall’s dramatic north coast. Wander its narrow, winding lanes, browse independent galleries and boutiques, watch fishing boats come and go from the historic harbour, or simply enjoy an ice cream while soaking up the lively atmosphere. It truly is one of those places that captures the charm of the English seaside.
Port Isaac also provides an excellent base for exploring more of North Cornwall, with spectacular coastal scenery, beautiful beaches and charming villages all within easy reach.
Just as every Well Cottage vacation is tailored to our guests, so too is the accommodation we choose for your additional stay. Depending on your group size and travel style, we might reserve a cosy rural cottage surrounded by peaceful Cornish countryside, a beautiful coastal retreat with sea views, or a charming property in the heart of a bustling seaside town. Every property is personally selected to complement your vacation perfectly.
Our Additional Location Option is designed to let you experience even more of England while enjoying the same fully hosted, chauffeur-driven and completely personalised style of travel that makes an English Cottage Vacation so unique.
To begin planning your perfect English experience contact us today:
Featured Excursion: Moors Valley Country Park & Forest
The Go Ape treetop adventures at Moors Valley Country Park & Forest (Image: moors-valley.co.uk)
When guests ask us which excursion children remember most, Moors Valley Country Park & Forest is always high on the list. While it’s a wonderful day out for visitors of every age, it’s especially magical for families and is one of the excursions that can be included as part of our Family Fun & Sightseeing itinerary.
Located on the edge of the New Forest in East Dorset, Moors Valley is around a 45-minute drive from Well Cottage, making it the perfect destination for a full day of outdoor adventure.
There is so much to discover that it’s easy to spend an entire day here, including:
- Two fantastic adventure playgrounds
- The famous Gruffalo Trail, where children can spot characters from the beloved story hidden amongst the trees
- Miles of beautiful woodland walking trails
- Family-friendly cycling routes with bike hire available
- The miniature steam railway
- Adventure Golf
- Go Ape treetop adventures
- Mini Land Rovers for younger explorers
- Nature and musical discovery trails
- Seasonal activities such as laser tag and Segways
- Picnic areas, cafés and plenty of open spaces to relax and enjoy the forest
Moors Valley steam rail (Image: moors-valley.co.uk)
One of the reasons we love including Moors Valley in our Family Fun & Sightseeing itinerary is that it offers something for everyone. Younger children can spend hours exploring the playgrounds and Gruffalo Trail, while older children and adults can challenge themselves on the Go Ape course, cycle through the forest or simply enjoy the peaceful woodland surroundings. With so many activities all in one place, there’s never a need to rush from one attraction to another.
Whether you’re climbing through the treetops, riding the miniature steam railway, following the Gruffalo Trail or simply enjoying a woodland picnic beneath the towering pines, Moors Valley is proof that some of England’s most memorable family adventures aren’t found in theme parks—they’re found in the great outdoors.
EXPLORE ALL OUR AMAZING EXCURSIONS
Discover Our Corner of England: Springhead Trust
Sometimes the most memorable places are the ones that never make the guidebooks.
Just one mile from Well Cottage lies Springhead Trust, one of Dorset’s most peaceful hidden gems. Nestled in the pretty village of Fontmell Magna, Springhead is a charitable trust dedicated to preserving its historic buildings and beautiful gardens while encouraging people of all ages to enjoy the countryside, learn about sustainable living, and connect with England’s rural heritage through nature, education, music and the arts.
Centred around a historic mill, natural springs and the crystal-clear waters of Collyer’s Brook, Springhead is a wonderfully tranquil place to spend a few peaceful hours. Guests can wander through the lakeside gardens, explore the woodland paths and wildflower meadows, watch dragonflies dancing across the water, or simply pause on a bench and listen to birdsong accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water.
Springhead is often one of the places we enjoy visiting on our more relaxed local day, when guests have the opportunity to discover the beautiful surroundings of Well Cottage at a slower pace. It perfectly captures the quieter side of England—one that’s rich in history, conservation and natural beauty, yet remains largely undiscovered by overseas visitors.
It’s a simple, unspoilt place, lovingly cared for by volunteers and the Trust, and one we’re always delighted to share with our guests.
MAKE THIS HAPPEN – REACH OUT NOW
Sterling Guest Review
“We couldn’t think of a thing you could have done better”
“We had a most delightful, relaxing, wonderful time. We were pampered and so well taken care of. We would love to do it again. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting – not like a stuffy, impersonal hotel room.
“Laura’s cooking was delicious, to say the least, and Nathan took such good care of us on our excursions. We couldn’t think of a thing you could have done better. Thank you so much for a lovely experience.”
– Thomas Prall & Nancy Gilbertson
We do everything we can to take all the work and worry out of your vacation so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience. We’re always so grateful to receive feedback like this that acknowledges our attention to detail, thank you Thomas and Nancy!
Have you been a guest of ours? We’d be so grateful if you can share your experiences on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews too! Also be sure to check out the testimonials featured on our website!
Guest Gallery: Memories from Well Cottage and around the South West of England
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON OUR GUEST GALLERY
Local News Corner: The Fontmell Magna Friendship Garden
One of the things we love most about village life is seeing our community come together, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Fontmell Magna Friendship Garden.
Created and lovingly coordinated by local resident Sean Hynum, the Friendship Garden is much more than a community vegetable patch. It has become a welcoming space where people of all ages can meet, share ideas, learn new skills and enjoy spending time outdoors together.
One of its most heartwarming features is the involvement of local schoolchildren, who regularly visit to help sow seeds, care for the plants and harvest the produce. It’s a wonderful way for younger generations to learn about horticulture, understand where food comes from and build friendships within the village, all while spending time in nature.
The garden is open to everyone in the community, whether they want to lend a hand, learn something new or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Throughout the growing season it becomes a colourful display of flowers, fruit and vegetables, reflecting the care and enthusiasm of the many volunteers who help it flourish.
For our guests, the Friendship Garden offers a lovely glimpse into real English village life. It perfectly captures the strong sense of community that makes Fontmell Magna such a special place to call home and gives visitors the opportunity to see how neighbours work together to create something truly beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Famous Faces: Sir David Attenborough’s Dorset Dragon
Few people have inspired a love of the natural world quite like Sir David Attenborough. What many people don’t realise, however, is just how closely his remarkable story has become entwined with Dorset and our extraordinary Jurassic Coast.
A lifelong fossil enthusiast, Sir David has returned to Dorset on several occasions to help document some of the most significant prehistoric discoveries ever made along these ancient cliffs. In 2018, he joined renowned local fossil hunter Chris Moore to excavate a spectacular ichthyosaur, an adventure that became the acclaimed BBC documentary Attenborough and the Sea Dragon.
Sir David later returned when Chris uncovered the astonishing skull of a giant pliosaur, one of the largest and most formidable marine predators ever to have lived. Today, this extraordinary fossil is proudly displayed at The Etches Collection in Kimmeridge.
In the documentary, Sir David reflects, “I started looking for fossils when I was a boy, and I’ve never lost the feeling of excitement and anticipation of what one might discover.” It is a sense of wonder that anyone can experience along Dorset’s coastline, where 185 million years of history are revealed in the cliffs beneath your feet.
We’d love you to share in that excitement too. Nathan can arrange a fossil hunting excursion along the Jurassic Coast, giving you the opportunity to walk in Sir David Attenborough’s footsteps and perhaps uncover a prehistoric treasure of your own. Before you do, be sure to watch this wonderful BBC clip and discover why Dorset continues to captivate one of Britain’s greatest naturalists.
Featured Blog: Why a Private Chauffeur is a Vacation Game Changer
When people imagine a luxury holiday, they often think about beautiful accommodation, fine dining, or unforgettable destinations. But one of the greatest luxuries is something far simpler… never having to think about how you’re going to get there.
In this month’s featured blog, we explore why having Nathan as your personal chauffeur, guide and local expert transforms your English Cottage Vacation into something far more relaxing than a traditional self-drive holiday. From spontaneous detours and hidden viewpoints to stress-free sightseeing and complete flexibility, it’s a part of the experience that many of our guests say they couldn’t imagine doing without.
Once you’ve experienced England from the passenger seat, taking in the scenery while someone else takes care of every detail, you’ll never want to travel any other way. Discover why a personal chauffeur is a vacation game changer:
A Taste of Well Cottage: Laura’s Blackcurrant Coulis
One of the joys of summer at Well Cottage is harvesting fresh fruit straight from the garden. This month, our blackcurrant bushes have produced a wonderful crop, making it the perfect time to prepare one of our favourite kitchen staples – a rich, homemade blackcurrant coulis.
Not only does it taste delicious, but it freezes beautifully, meaning you can enjoy a little taste of summer for months to come.
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh blackcurrants
- Approximately 1 cup of granulated or caster (adjust to taste)
- Cornflour (optional, for thickening)
- Water
Method
- Wash the blackcurrants thoroughly and remove any stalks, leaves or small pieces of twig.
- Place the blackcurrants into a saucepan and add approximately one cup of sugar. (If you’re following along with the accompanying video, you’ll see the quantity of fruit we harvested and the amount of sugar I used.) If you prefer a sweeter coulis, simply add a little more sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring regularly until the fruit has softened, released its juices and the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much of the delicious juice as possible while leaving behind the skins and seeds.
- At this stage, decide whether you’re happy with the consistency. If you’d like it a little thicker, return the coulis to the saucepan over a gentle heat. Mix a small amount of cornflour with cold water to create a smooth paste, then gradually stir a little into the coulis until it reaches your preferred thickness. You only need a very small amount and remember that it will thicken more when. it cools.
- Once thickened, pour the finished coulis into squeezy bottles or airtight containers. It will keep in the freezer for a couple of months. When you’re ready to use it, simply defrost it gently in warm water.
Serving Suggestions
Blackcurrant coulis is wonderfully versatile. We love using it to:
- Decorate dessert plates with elegant swirls and dots.
- Ripple through a vanilla cheesecake before baking to create a beautiful blackcurrant cheesecake.
- Spoon over fresh fruit or fruit salads.
- Blend into smoothies for a wonderful burst of flavour and a vibrant purple colour.
- Drizzle over ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
- Serve alongside panna cotta, cheesecake or pavlova.
At Well Cottage, I most often use it when plating desserts, especially once the fresh blackcurrants have finished for the season. It’s a lovely way to preserve the flavours of our cottage garden and bring a little piece of summer back to the table whenever we need it.
FEAST YOUR EYES ON LAURA’S FOOD GALLERY
A taste of English cottage life, wherever you are
Laura’s English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book is exactly that. A collection of the dishes our guests fall in love with during their stay, each one rooted in comfort, tradition, and a genuine joy for bringing people together around the table. It’s not just a cookbook, but a wonderful piece of the Well Cottage experience to take home and revisit time and time again.
For those who love the feel of a beautiful book in their hands, the stunning 98-page hardcover edition makes a truly special gift:
For any other territory, simply search “English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book by Laura Kurton” on Amazon.
And if time has quietly slipped away, the digital version is ready in an instant, perfect for a thoughtful last-minute surprise that still feels deeply personal:
A note for travel advisors!
We have recently launched our new Travel Advisor Programme here at English Cottage Vacation.
If you are a travel advisor and would be interested in offering our unique, fully hosted English countryside experiences to your clients, please reach out and we will send you further information about working with us.
info@englishcottagevacation.com
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If you have a few minutes, please complete our short survey and let us know what you enjoy, what you find useful, and what we could do better. Your feedback will help us make the newsletter more interesting, relevant, and enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. It really does make a difference.
Celebrating our luxury picnic basket winner!
It’s that time again! We’re thrilled to announce this month’s luxury countryside picnic basket! A beautifully handcrafted willow hamper filled with all the essentials for a dreamy alfresco outing is on its way to one lucky subscriber…
George White
Please reach out to us by email so that we can arrange delivery!
info@englishcottagevacation.com
Congratulations! Your basket includes:
- Fine china plates and real glassware
- Stainless steel cutlery and linen napkins
- A tartan picnic blanket
Didn’t win this time? Don’t despair – we’re giving away another one next month! Simply stay subscribed to our weekly newsletter and you’re automatically in the draw.
And if you know someone who would love a touch of English charm in their inbox, feel free to forward this email or share the sign-up link – click here! They could also be in to win!
*Disclaimer: The basket we deliver is subject to availability but we will always strive to ensure comparable quality!
Essential info: Everything you need to know, all in one place
Scenes from Well Cottage, where relaxation is paramount!
From your first enquiry to your farewell at Heathrow, we’ve designed every step of your English Cottage Vacation to be smooth, simple and utterly stress-free.
Whether you’re curious about availability, wondering how payments work, or ready to shape your tailor-made itinerary, the links below will guide you through it all – clearly, quickly, and with complete confidence.
Your Tailor-Made Itinerary, Discovery Process
UK ETA Reminder: Important note for international visitors to the UK
If you’re planning a future visit to Britain, please note that most overseas visitors – including those from the US and Canada – will now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the UK.
Visit: https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply
The ETA is a quick and straightforward online travel permission (similar to the US ESTA). It costs £16, is typically approved within a few days, and allows multiple entries over a two-year period.
Airlines began checking ETA status from 25 February 2026, so please bear this in mind if your English Cottage Vacation is already in the diary.
If you’re unsure how this might affect your travel plans, don’t worry – we’re always happy to help!
Step inside our online community!
Join our Facebook group for a peek behind the scenes, seasonal updates from Well Cottage, and a friendly space to connect with fellow Anglophiles. We’d love to welcome you in!
Until Next Month…
As another wonderful English summer unfolds, we hope this month’s newsletter has brought a little inspiration, a few new discoveries, and perhaps even tempted you to start planning your own countryside adventure.
Whether you’re already counting down to your stay at Well Cottage or simply enjoying a little taste of England from afar, thank you for being part of our journey. We always love sharing the places, people and experiences that make this corner of Dorset so special, and we’re delighted to have you with us.
Take care, keep dreaming of England – and reach out for a friendly chat whenever you’re ready to make those dreams come true!
With our very best wishes,
Nathan & Laura
Founders & Hosts
English Cottage Vacation
* All you need to do is arrive – we’ll take care of everything else!
Reach out today to begin your effortless, luxury English countryside escape.
