Best Self-Catering Holiday Cottages in the UK
A cottage escape somewhere beautiful in the country or on the coast – it's without doubt the UK's favourite kind of holiday, particularly for families but for groups of friends too. There are literally tens of thousands of self-catering cottages in England, Scotland and Wales – cool clifftop retreats, riverside boltholes, cosy thatched cottages with roaring fires, luxury houses, and many more – you can find more for less anything if you're prepared to search hard enough. We think it should be easier than that, though, so we've done the hard work for you, and have come up with a collection of what we think are some of the very self-catering cottage breaks in the in the UK, by location, region and style. So whether you're after a romantic weekend away in the Lake District, a family break in Cornwall, an active countryside holiday in Pembrokeshire or a trip to the Cornwall seaside, we've got you covered.
Best Places to Stay in Best Self-Catering Holiday Cottages in the UK
Best Self-Catering Cottages
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Countryside
There's nothing like finding the perfect country cottage, and we have a fabulous selection of self-catering properties in some stunning locations, and in all shapes and sizes, from cosy thatched cottages to large country houses to lodges deep in the forest. Browse our selection and find the perfect place for you.
Town & City
Staying in a hotel is great if you're visiting a UK town or city on a weekend break, but many people forget that self-catering can often be a cheaper and more flexible option, with an attractive choice of chic apartments in a wider choice of locations; and it's almost always a better option for young families. There's also the additional appeal of feeling a little bit less like a tourist, and the option to buy local food and cook at home as well as eating out – just as you would at home.
Seaside
We all like to be beside the seaside, and we have a fabulous selection of the best seaside self-catering properties all over the UK, from cosy cottages and stylish apartments to harbourfront houses and spectacular clifftop follies.
Cottages
What could be better than renting your own country cottage for a week? That's what the majority of people do when they holiday in the UK, and we can't blame them, because there are literally tens of thousands of desirable self-catering properties dotted around the country – cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions, city townhouses, even bijou beach huts – and there is sure to be one with your name on in any given region. The main problem will be the choice available, so we've tried to limit our suggestions to places that have something special to recommend them, whether it's a unique building, a fabulous location, a thrilling backstory, affable owners, a great venue for a party, or just places that are the last word in the luxury, with everything you could possible wish for provided.
Lodges & Cabins
You don't have to stay in a cottage to enjoy the UK countryside, and in fact some of our favourite self-catering places to stay in the UK are semi-permanent, wooden creations – lodges, log cabins and the like, often situated in woodland locations or perched on stilts by the sea. These sort of places are sometimes part of a larger complex, and as such they may not be for everyone. But there are usually lots of facilities on hand, and you can usually pick and choose as much as you want, and they often make for great family holidays. They are often a lot cheaper, too, than more traditional self-catering options, and the locations are always well chosen and perfect for exploring the countryside.
Apartments
Most people opting for self-catering go for a house or cottage but if you're visiting a town or city (or even a seaside resort) that may not be the right choice and you may want to opt for an apartment instead. We have all sorts of chic city flats and apartments to choose from, and the nice thing is you often get to stay in a historic building right in the heart of things – perfect for playing at being an über-cool local for a few days – as well as a great range of apartments by the sea, usually with fabulous views.
