The height of luxury for any aspiring millionaire has to be the outdoor pool.  Typically these are found on the continent, but increasingly luxury self-catering properties are making waves in the UK with their own pools. With a summer that's predicted to be a ‘scorcher' by the MET office, Blue Chip Holidays has found a selection of available properties in July and August that have access to heated outdoor pools; just the tonic for a hot summer of fun!

Inow and Polurrian, St Ives

Inow and  are set within the magnificent Tregenna Castle Estate situated in the picturesque town of St Ives. There is an extensive leisure centre with a spa and hair salon, fully equipped gym, indoor and outdoor heated pools, sauna, jacuzzi, squash, table tennis, croquet, tennis and badminton courts plus a 16 hole golf course with views overlooking the fantastic St Ives coastline. Set within 72 acres of garden and woodland, and with direct access to Porthminster beach, it's the perfect place to escape for a beach break with that extra touch of luxury.

And if that's not enough, Inow and Polurrian are ideally positioned for days out exploring the beautiful county of Cornwall and all its delights, including the Eden Project, Tate Gallery, Newquay Zoo, Land's End, as well as the county's historical monuments and castles.

Lying at the heart of the picturesque village of Tuckenhay, South Devon, The Old Bakehouse, valued at over £3 million, provides the perfect self-catering venue for a large family gathering. Sat on the River Dart, at high tide you can feed the local swans from the ground floor windows or sit on the landing stage and relax in the natural beauty of the creek. At low tide you can listen to the babbling sounds of the river as it washes over the rocks, or even go for a paddle. And, if the Dart's water proves to be a touch on the chilly side, you can choose to dip your feet into the luxurious outdoor hot tub instead!

Within walking distance of no less than four pubs, The Old Bakehouse is situated in a village described as Devon's best kept secret. Its views across the water and from its large historic walled garden are truly breathtaking. Look up the valley and the hill-side fields frame the timeless English countryside vista perfectly. Look down and the serene waterside position makes for a perfect nautical retreat. For anyone with a love of the natural environment, this tranquil spot is manna from heaven!

The Old Bakehouse, Tuckenhay - sleeps 14* and is currently available fromBlue Chip Holidays at a 40% discount!

Internally, the specifications of this property are unsurpassed. The spacious and well appointed living room overlooks the River Dart. Its impressive oak beams echo the age of the property, while the décor, flat screen TV and surround sound system lets slip the state-of the art technology which lies subtly beneath its skin. The stylish kitchen is elegant and well suited to cater for large house parties, while the dining area seats eight comfortably.

At The Beach - Contemporary living in a unique location makes for a truly different beach holiday experience.

Last week I was lucky enough to take a relaxing break at one of our most exciting new developments, called ‘At The Beach'. The properties are situated in the picturesque village of Torcross, which is in a truly unique location at the end of Slapton Ley, which is just a short drive from Dartmouth.

Aerial photograph of Slapton Sands with At the Beach on the beach's edgeTorcross, with its thatched cottages and friendly atmosphere, combines the rustic charm of an English village with the appeal of the beach. This unique package is sure to offer something to please even the most discerning of customers.

The beach, called Slapton sands, is a vast sand and shingle expanse which is a bar of sand separating the sea from the estuary or ‘ley', behind it. The area is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the habitat and the rare species which thrive in the unique conditions. This makes it an extremely popular area with keen twitchers, due to the impressive variety of feathered friends on display. The area is also popular with military enthusiasts as a recovered Sherman Tank is displayed which was originally lost to the sea during training exercises for the D-Day landings.

With over 700km of coastline and 300 beaches, Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. The county caters particularly well for those looking for self-catering accommodation, with hundreds of cottages, barn conversions and town houses available all year round.

St Ives from the air
St Ives is considered to be one of the premier destinations in Cornwall. Its breathtaking setting and legendary special ‘light' have made the ancient fishing port a magnet for artists and craftspeople for centuries. But art isn't the only attraction to St Ives. Its location makes it a perfect base for exploring the beauty of south Cornwall, the Atlantic coast and the sandy beaches that surround the town. Cottages and town houses in St Ives provide a warm, homely atmosphere for self-catering holidays, and the amenities are plentiful and of superb quality. There are also plenty of activities to keep both young and old occupied - from a round of golf to surfing, walking, riding and diving. Although St Ives is still home to a small fishing fleet, many of the boats have now been replaced with pleasure boats, which can be chartered for a spot of deep-sea fishing or a gentle cruise around the coast.

The labyrinth of lanes give visitors the perfect chance to explore galleries, boutiques and shops selling locally made crafts, and delicatessens can provide the self-caterer with some of the choicest selections of local produce. If you fancy a break from cooking on your self-catering break, St Ives also plays host to some superb restaurants, all serving the very best in Cornish cuisine.

Padstow is located further up the north Cornish coast and is another fishing port with a long and diverse history. The home of smugglers and fishermen, it still holds on to traditions that go back to pre-Christian times. The May Day celebrations are famous, and visitors are welcome (although you have to be born and bred in Padstow to take part in the dancing). The picturesque village tumbles down the rolling hills to the port, where the fleet can still be seen bringing in the catch in the early morning. Padstow has a rich selection of self-catering accommodation, from small fisherman's cottages perfect for a romantic weekend break for two, to larger conversions for family or group holidays. The north Cornish coastline is dramatic and rocky, but there are sandy beaches for families to enjoy just along the coast.

On Monday myself, Caron, Alan & Brian the Blue Chip Travel Turtle dusted off our passports and set off for Saunton in North Devon.

We took a fairly unconventional route to Saunton, which included driving up the M5 to the Bridgwater junction, realising the error of our ways and driving 20 minutes back down the M5 to the junction which we should have turn off in the first place, signposted Barnstable.

Despite this slight misjudgement we were kept "entertained" by the BBC Radio 2 music quiz where Alan really came into his own and started to show his age.

After the Human Navigation System error and a spell of flirting with the low petrol warning light, we safely made it to Saunton Sands, which has been the setting for several famous productions including Robbie Williams Angel's music video. The beach itself is surely one of the best in the area, with 3 miles of flat golden sand located in front of the Braunton Borrows, which are a huge area of sand dunes. The beach benefits from good surf, making it a haven for longboarders, kite surfers and sailors. Even in Mid-December the beach seems to retain its popularity with the keen surfers who were prepared to enter the icy waters in the hope of catching a good wave.