Historic Pilling cottage named one of UK's best holiday lets

Karen Schofield, who grew up in Vine Cottage before transforming it into a holiday home three years ago, has been recognised in the 2026 Sykes Stars awards, a prestigious national scheme that champions the individuals behind the UK's best holiday homes.

The awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate the holiday lets that have consistently received outstanding feedback from guests over the last 12 months.

Belonging to her family since 1844, Vine Cottage was Karen’s childhood home and became a passion project when her parents passed away and she decided to take the leap into holiday letting.

Guests have commended Vine Cottage for its immaculate presentation and attention to detail, including thoughtful welcome packs featuring wine and snacks and attentive hosting from Karen for the duration of their getaway.

The property is popular amongst families and multigenerational groups, with its spacious accommodation, log burner, hot tub and pet-friendly policy appealing to a wide range of guests. Karen has also built a loyal guest base, with one couple returning to Vine Cottage five times in three years.

The recognition comes as Lancashire continues to grow in popularity as a staycation destination, with coastal and countryside breaks seeing sustained demand.

Karen Schofield, owner of Vine Cottage, said: "It’s wonderful that so many of my guests leave such lovely feedback and I feel truly honoured to receive a Sykes Star, especially given how much the cottage means to me personally.

“Vine Cottage has been in our family since 1844, and before my father’s passing, it was his idea to convert it into a holiday let as a long-term investment and to enable the property to stay in the family. I feel proud to have taken this step and to be acknowledged for the work I do to help people have a great stay. It’s a privilege to share this special place with guests.”

James Shaw, Chief Commercial Officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: "Our Sykes Stars awards shine a spotlight on owners who go above and beyond to deliver fantastic staycations for their guests. Driven by impressive and consistent feedback, winners should be proud of their achievement and the experience they're able to offer holidaymakers.

"Our holiday let owners, including Karen, play a vital role in shaping the UK holiday let market and ensuring quality getaways, as the demand for UK breaks continues to rise and locations like Lancashire remain popular among holidaymakers."

To be named a Sykes Star, owners must achieve 100% positive guest feedback across three quarters of the year.

To view the full list of Sykes Stars for 2026, visit https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/blog/sykes-stars/