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RCI Opening More Doors
March 26, 2009 by Forum Questions · 1 Comment
Sunbathing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of the UK, but its landscapes and heritage make it a much-demanded destination. Recognising its popularity, RCI is bringing its members more accommodation options in this green and pleasant land, writes Sarah Lee.
Whether you look for a place rich in history or famed for its wild and intoxicating natural beauty, the UK makes a fantastic destination. It’s no surprise then that UK resorts are always in demand with RCI members.
So RCI has teamed up with sister company, Holiday Cottage Group, to offer members more accommodation choices in the UK, through its recently launched Owner Exchange Club.
The Owner Exchange Club membership enables Holiday Cottage Group owners to deposit a minimum of two weeks’ usage in their properties with RCI, where these exceptional properties can be accessed by RCI members. In return, cottage owners are given RCI Points to enable them to Exchange into resorts within RCI’s global exchange network.
RCI members can Exchange into an Owner Exchange Club property in the same way as they do normally. They just need to deposit their week and go to rci.com to find their perfect UK getaway, alternatively they can contact an RCI Guide for assistance.
Holiday Cottage Group comprises more than 30 brands, such as well-established names like Blakes, English Country Cottages and Country Holidays, and has more than 60,000 rental properties in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and beyond.
RCI director of exchange programmes Michael Dean said: “RCI’s scale and diversity means it can bring more benefits and holiday accommodation options to its timeshare members and rental owners.
“Access to the Owner Exchange Club is free, but it offers RCI members and Holiday Cottage Group owners alike, fantastic Exchange options and quality accommodation. All UK Owner Exchange Club properties are inspected to VisitBritain’s Quality Standards so members are assured great accommodation.”
Holiday Cottage Group owners have so far deposited 532 UK properties into the Owner Exchange Club – that’s a total of 1,400 weeks.
A destination for everyone
Here are just some of the wonderful destinations, rich in cultural heritage, in which RCI members can experience a home-from-home holiday through the Owner Exchange Club.
Dumfries and Galloway
The poet Robert Burns made the Scottish border town of Dumfries his home in later life and there are many Burns museums and historical sites among the town’s Georgian and Victorian buildings, such as the Globe Inn where Burns himself enjoyed drinks with friends in days gone by.
Today Dumfries is popular for more than its hostelries. The town offers great shopping and has a good selection of restaurants, while the wider area of Dumfries and Galloway offers some of Scotland’s most spectacular coastline. Other attractions include the Sweetheart Abbey at New Abbey, and the impressive triangular Caerlaverock Castle. Caerlaverock’s Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust bird sanctuary is the perfect place for twitchers as it hosts some 12,000 barnacle geese in the winter months, as well as pintails,
sheldrakes and oyster catchers. While those who love the great outdoors can chose from a fantastic cycle path network, fishing, golf and walking paths.
Yorkshire
As varied as it is large, the county of Yorkshire offers something for every visitor – from the vibrant city centres of Leeds, Sheffield and York, to the quaint fishing harbour of Whitby.
Yorkshire’s earned its place in the UK’s history books and after exploring the grandeur of York Minster and the county’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visitors will understand why.
Saltaire, near Bradford, is a unique way to relive the Industrial Revolution as you can see how 19th century workers lived, while enjoying the mill’s arts and crafts gallery. Then head for the stately ruins of the 700-year-old Fountains Abbey, north of Leeds and wander through the romantic stone ruins of this vast 12th century abbey, set among Studley Royal Water Garden – a delightful 18th century embellishment.
Yorkshire’s windswept moors provided the backdrop for Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. In fact ‘wuthering’ is a Yorkshire word that means turbulent weather. But whatever the weather, the views across the moors will always be simply spectacular.
Peak District
One look at the awe-inspiring Peak District and it’s clear why Britain’s first national park was established here. This area of Derbyshire simply takes your breath away, as rolling hills and moorlands meet lush valleys, limestone gorges, stone villages and quaint market towns.
The perfect destination for those who love the great outdoors, the Peak District offers fabulous walking and cycling routes, especially around the Derbyshire Dales.
And, when you’ve worked up an appetite, head to one of the area’s market towns for a bite to eat. The town of Bakewell is best known for Bakewell tarts – but the first one was made by mistake. In the 19th century a cook at the Rutland Arms who was baking a jam tart misunderstood the recipe and the humble Bakewell was born. It is still served today in the town’s traditional tea shops.
Another Peak District town famous for its culinary delights is Ashbourne, where Ashbourne Gingerbread Men were produced. The original shop front is still there, although it’s now a bakers. The town’s other attractions include Tudor and Georgian buildings, the impressive Parish Church of St Oswald and antique shops. It is also close to Alton Towers theme park.
Norfolk and Suffolk
Relaxation is the only thing possible as you watch boats chug along on the 125 miles of tidal rivers that make up the Norfolk Broads.
The area features restored windmills, medieval churches and beautiful gardens, while the Broads themselves are home to an array of unique wildlife. Barton and Hickling Broads are just two of the many nature reserves where you can follow walking trails and take boat trips to see the indigenous wildlife.
Many of Norfolk’s historic sites date to Roman times, including the ancient port at Caister-on-Sea and Burgh Castle, the remains of a fort. While the gardens, maze and miniature railway at Somerleyton Hall make it one of the region’s must-sees.
The wild east coast features some beautiful beaches that are the perfect places to get away from it all.
The Suffolk towns of Lowestoft and Southwold are located on what’s known as the Sunrise Coast – the driest regional climate in the UK – so you can be assured some breath-taking morning walks along golden sandy beaches.
Wherever you choose to holiday, the combination of the UK’s great diversity and the exceptional quality of RCI’s accommodation will assure you many memorable moments during your visit.
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