insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 121

TRAVEL

FREEDOM HOLIDAY HOMES
Letting Experience Work for You!

Everybody needs a holiday, and if flexibility, quality and unbeatable value are high on
your checklist for a great getaway, then you should look no further than a holiday
cottage in Kent and Sussex. The rise of the ‘staycation’ has not only increased
awareness of the South East as a first choice tourist destination, it has helped push
the number of us choosing self-catering to a record high.
Based in Cranbrook, Freedom Holiday Homes
has specialised in quality self-catering holiday
cottages since 1984. With a successful portfolio
of over 250 carefully selected properties ranging
from stunning oast houses to chic studios and
cosy fisherman cottages, this Kent-based
business has been at the forefront of the region’s
tourist industry for 30 years. Property Manager,
Lynne Weedon, has been part of the Freedom
family for most of that time, and has seen a
significant change over the years.
"Owning and running a holiday cottage can not
only be a prudent investment, it is also great fun,"
says Lynne. "Many of our owners have been with
us for years, and it's lovely to see how their
properties have grown and adapted to match
and often exceed holidaymakers’ expectations.
"More than ever before customers are not only
expecting great value for money, but they are
also looking for a fantastic experience. They want
a clean, comfortable home from home, furnished
and equipped to a high level, and offering extras
such as Wi-Fi as standard. All of our properties
are Visit England-assessed and rated. You know

what you are booking and can match the perfect
cottage to your requirements and budget."
In addition to its quality cottages, the UK's national
tourist board, Visit England, has recognised
Freedom Holiday Homes itself. Kate Redman,
the office manager, states: "We were extremely
proud to have been awarded the Quality
Accredited Agency creditation by Visit England,
in recognition of our outstanding customer service.
All of our team members live locally and we think
that is really important. We know and love Kent,
and personally visit all of our properties. Product
knowledge is crucial, as a big part of our role is
advising and helping customers to choose their
ideal cottage. We thrive on feedback and 98%
of our customers say they will recommend
Freedom Holiday Homes to friends and family,
while many of them also return year after year."
Martin Wickham, general manager, believes
Freedom Holiday Homes offers a special
combination: "We are small enough to care, to
offer a personal service, and to be able to r spond
e
and react; however, we also have the resources
to properly support cottage owners. Our success

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is down to the relationships we have with