A new home for Sawday's Special Self-Catering Places in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Eire, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal

Sweet simple cottages, 2 with open fires, on an estate run by a lovely young family. Relish the views, spot rare birds in the glens

No wonder poets and writers love Drumcovitt, its atmosphere is like no other: hands-on hard work combines with landed grandeur. The original workaday farmhouse on the hill shrank from sight in 1796 when a lofty declaration of Georgian wealth was stretched across its face but the useful parts remained, stalwart as ever, hidden behind the makeover. Here, in the solid old stone barns beneath the towering trees, are three sweet little cottages, each with its own stretch of terrace, two with open fires... and a child's timber trail planned for the garden. With excellent materials and workmanship and lots of colour, they have been converted into welcoming, family-friendly spaces. There's nothing luxurious or fragile, just old-fashioned armchairs, easy wooden floors and simple spotless kitchens. The view will gather you up, on misty mornings, when only the Sperrin peaks and the spire of Banagher church are visible. Walks in the glens may bring sightings of rare birds; back 'home' are three dogs and a lovely young family should you need anything – and that includes a decorated tree at Christmas.