For many people, relaxing in the garden, spending time with the family and enjoying a barbecue is all part of a great British holiday that even the weather can't spoil.

Whilst records show that 2013 was the coldest spring in 50 years, holidaymakers will still be packing up and heading off on holiday this summer.

HomeAway.co.uk, the UK's leading holiday rental site with over 545,000 properties, has some great British options where firing up the barbecue and alfresco dining are on the agenda.

Of course safety is important and top tips to save your bacon when the heat is on include:

• Never leave a barbecue unattended
• Make sure the barbecue is set up away from sheds, fences, trees and garden waste
• Only light barbecues with recognised fuels NOT petrol or white spirit
• Cook food, especially meat, all the way through to prevent food poisoning
• If you use an umbrella to keep the rain off, don't get it too near the heat

Erica Chang, Regional Director for HomeAway.co.uk, said: "Despite not having the best weather in the world, the British public still love to holiday at home and enjoy firing up the barbecue when they are away. With pools, gardens and terraces many of the cottages, houses and villas listed on HomeAway.co.uk are perfect for hosting barbecues and enjoy time outside with family and friends".

So for those looking for that elusive UK barbecue summer at a HomeAway.co.uk property here are some top picks:

Stone Cottage at the foot of Snowdon

Snowdon Cottage is a beautiful stone built cottage set two minutes from the center of Llanberis; the Gateway to Snowdonia. The house sleeps six people and the upstairs bedrooms have uninterrupted views of the mountains. As well as a pretty front garden, there is seating and a BBQ to the side of the house which is prefect for catching the sunset whilst enjoying a burger and glass of wine and when it gets chilly guests can warm up by jumping in the outdoor hot tub. 
    

Full details can be seen at www.homeaway.co.uk/p717620 and prices start from £650 a week.

Beautiful Luxury Cottage Close to Rye

This holiday cottage in Camber Sands is all about enjoyment, relaxation and comfort. There's a spacious living area with plasma TV, games consoles, DVDs, board games and books. The large, bright, sunny open plan kitchen-dining room is a great area to sit down with family and friends which opens up onto the decked garden equipped with fire pit, dining furniture and a BBQ - perfect for al fresco dining! All the bedrooms are located on the first floor and offer spectacular views over the surrounding Romney Marsh.

Full details can be seen at www.homeaway.co.uk/p462632 and prices start from £820 per week.

Perfect Family Getaway

Lincluden is a bright, spacious, well equipped Edwardian sandstone house set in the beautiful Perthshire countryside. The lounge has an open fire, wide selection of books, toys, games, CDs and DVDs, there's a dining room with farmhouse and five bedrooms that easily sleep up to ten guests.

It has secluded gardens, a vegetable plot, a chicken house for a daily supply of fresh eggs, a patio with a picnic table, and a built in BBQ so you can enjoy fresh food out in the open Scottish air.

Full details can be seen at www.homeaway.co.uk/p50963 and prices start at £945 a week.

Contemporary Holiday Barn in St Mawgan

Middle Lanherne Barn is a converted 19th century barn with 360 degree views of the Cornish countryside. The property offers guests all the comforts of home and a touch of luxury to make it a holiday to remember as well as a rare commodity for the 21st century - peace and quiet!

The barn has three bedrooms and sleeps up to six people. It has a private (dog proof) garden with patio, sun loungers, barbecue and hot tub. It is the perfect place to get away from it all and yet be close enough to explore and enjoy the Cornish Riviera, from Rockpool fishing to surfing the waves, the only problem is how to fit it all in!

Full details can be seen at www.homeaway.co.uk/p874842 and prices start from £850 a week.

Stunning Country Cottage set in Five Acres 

This beautiful five bedroom English country cottage is ideal for getting together with friends and family and is set in the pretty village of Hanley Swan with its village green, lily-covered duck pond and a welcoming pub with an open fire. It has a large fenced garden with rolling lawns and views towards the Malvern Hills and surrounded by fields of grazing horses graze. There is a massive kitchen with range cooker, granite worktops, breakfast area, large table and the French windows lead onto the terrace which has a BBQ and is perfect for outdoor dining.
 
Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/84562 and prices start from £1,155 per week.

Head Down Under

For the ultimate BBQ, head to this spectacular Australian beachfront penthouse apartment. The outside terrace features a BBQ area, dining area and sun beds. The inside is modern, light and airy with glass to most of the back of the property so you have an uninterrupted view of the coastline and beach.  Just a short walk from local amenities, shops, restaurants and local attractions, this area of New South Wales hosts some of the best beaches in the world and the most amazing weather that's perfect for barbecues!

Full details can be seen at www.homeaway.co.uk/p3506837 and prices start at £1779 a week.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/22720106

Founded in 1996 and part of HomeAway Inc., HomeAway.co.uk is the UK's number one holiday rentals website, listing over 545,000 self-catering properties worldwide. The site provides a simple, cost-effective way for holiday home owners and managers to market their property and manage bookings, with unrivalled worldwide exposure for a fixed annual fee. For holidaymakers, HomeAway.co.uk offers the best choice of any UK website.

For more information, images or quotes please contact Eveleen Hatch at Seriously PR - (0)1491 822647/07815002276 or Natalie Trice - Natalie@seriouslypr.co.uk