Guide to Self-catering Country Cottage Holidays in England

England continues to be a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world.  It's a 'green and pleasant land', with more documented history than almost anywhere. Our historical buildings go back centuries; some complete with ghosts and chilling tales.  The Royal Family continues to provide pomp and ceremony, scandal and tragedy. We have a unique culture and numerous places of interest for tourists to visit and things to do. Many cottage owners greet new guests to their holiday accommodation by providing a welcome pack of local treats along with tea and coffee. View a selection of holiday cottages with a welcome pack.

 

Looking for a Holiday Cottage in England?

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Popular Regions of England for Holidays:

Cotswolds
 

East Anglia
 

English Islands


Heart of England
 

Lake District
 

London and the Home Counties
 

Northern England
 

South Coast of England
 

West Country

 

Country Cottage Holidays in England Top Tips:

An English self-catering country cottage is ideal if you wish to explore a particular part of the country, for example London, then Stratford-upon-Avon and the Lake District. Cottages can be rented for complete weeks or short breaks and give you the freedom and space of  a home from home.  You may want to book a historical cottage with character features, a rural retreat, or a modern house with a pool.  The choice is yours.  A hire car will enable you to get around easily and offers more flexile opportunities for sightseeing.  Cottage owners will be pleased to help and advise you about things to do and see in their area.  

 

 

English Cottage Holiday Guides:


The Cotswolds and the Cotswold Hills

Holidays in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds - a pretty area in the West Country with rolling hills, lush greenery and charming cottages built from golden coloured stone. Visit Regency Cheltenham, the races, discover some superb architecture.  Stay in Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire

Find cottages in England Hints and Tips:

A stay in a country cottage or a self-catering lodge in England assures holidaymakers of a comfortable place to sleep, relax and enjoy whilst exploring their English holiday destination. People can rent for a few days short break, for a weekend or for complete weeks. It all depends on how much sightseeing you plan to do.

 

East Anglia

Beautiful Cambridgeshire in England

Thinking of discovering East Anglia on a cottage break?  Whether you want to discover Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire on a cottage break, each area has its own unique appeal.  Cambridgeshire is land locked but is home to beautiful canals and waterways, whereas the rest of East Anglia boasts both stunning countryside and a beautiful coastline.

Top attractions in East Anglia include the historical city of Cambridge and Ely in Cambridgeshire, the historical town of Colchester and seaside town of Southend in Essex and medieval villages in Suffolk as well as Constable Country, and the Norfolk Broads in Norfolk.  These are just a taster, read our East Anglia guide for fuller information on what this scenic area has to offer.

Interested in holidaying in East Anglia?  Read our guide on what East Anglia Offers for Cottage Holidays.

Do book a cottage somewhere in east Anglia for a holiday – you will be amazed.


English Islands

There are a number of picturesque islands surrounding England, including the Channel Islands and the much loved Isle of Wight.
 

Shakespeare's Country and the Heart of England

Stratford upon Avon Shakespeare country

Stratford-upon-Avon  - Shakespeare's town with it's 3 Shakespearean theatres, historic buildings.  Also visit Warwick castle and the beautiful countryside and cottages of the Cotswolds.  Stay in Warwickshire villages and choose a lovely  cottage in Warwickshire for a really comfortable break.  Also in the Heart of England are the counties of Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire. This area is also known for the naturally beautiful Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills.


Lake District

Lake District, England

The Lake District  - Cumbria, the country of scenic lakes and hills, wonderful for ramblers or lovers of beauty and nature.  Tranquil and unspoilt. Stay in Cumbria.
 


London and the Home Counties

London - the most popular destination in the UK.  The city with a 24/7 buzz, theatreland, Soho with great restaurants and nightlife, Royal Palaces, Tower Bridge, Father Thames, lovely green parks, superb museums, the London Aquarium, shopping  ...Click to find.self catering accommodation in London

 

 

Midlands and Central England

Thinking of taking a holiday in the Midlands or Central England?  Read our Guide to the Midlands and Central England and discover what Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and the Midlands has to offer for cottage breaks.

 

 


Northern England holiday homes

Yorkshire, Northern England
Looking to rent a cottage in the North of England?  Northern England is a diverse and beautiful part of England. 

The Peak District - Britain's first National Park.  Wonderful, wild, with rocky outcrops, wild flowers, dry stone walls, tumbling streams and caves with stalactites and stalagmites. THis national park, mainly in Derbyshire, offers traffic-free cycling trails, superb hikes, mountain biking

York - medieval city walls with four gates into the walled city, ancient Roman remains, fantastic buildings across the centuries (Saxon, Tudor, Georgian), Gothic cathedral, lots of tourist attractions.  York is in Britain's largest county - Yorkshire. This amazing county has two of the best national parks for walking holidays; the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors. Its coastline has several very good seaside resorts that are popular for British summer breaks and day trips. Scarborough and Bridlington remain long-time favourites for dog-friendly cottage breaks.

Northumberland is another beautiful part of Northern England, with miles and miles of unspoilt coastline and countryside, and ample historic appeal with Hadrian Wall related attractions and fascinating historical castles to visit.  Much of the Northumberland Coastline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The Legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men- explore legend and folklore, walk through Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire and visit the Major Oak and Robin Hood Centre.  Cycle the 7 dedicated cycle paths around Leicestershire.  Ideal location for touring middle England.


South Coast Cottage Holidays

New Forest National Park


The New Forest  where the ponies roam free through the open woodland.  Discover the charm of rural England with villages built around a green and duck pond in the  gentle county of Hampshire. View New Forest cottages and self-catering accommodation.

Also on England's South Coast is Sussex along with Kent which is also known as the Garden of England.

There are fabulous seaside towns with good beaches all along the south coast of England. Find out about various kinds of self-catering holidays in the south of England including log cabin holidays on the south coast and dog-friendly cottage breaks.

Country cottage holiday suggestions in England


There is a list of UNESCO heritage sites in England that are considered worth saving for posterity. All of these offer interesting places to visit in England and good for days out during your self-catering holiday.  If you're looking for a self-catering luxury break , pet friendly accommodation, farm holidays , self catering cottages with a pool, beach holidays, golfing holidays in Scotland, city breaks, self catering fishing holidays, cultural holidays near UNESCO sites, or a cottage for romance, we can help you find your ideal cottage.


England's West Country Guide

Cornwall, England

England's West Country in the South West of England includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.  All of these counties with the exception of Wiltshire offer a mix of coast and country - Wiltshire is landlocked beautiful rural county which contains sections of three separate areas of outstanding natural beauty of Cranbourne Chase, North Wessex Downs and the southeastern parts of the Cotswolds, in addition to mystical standing stones at Avebury and Stonehenge.  The South West of England continues to attract visitors for family self catering breaks, romantic getaways and more. 

Looking for more information on holidays in the South West of England?  Read our guide to holidays in the West Country

Searching for information on a specific part of the West Country?  We feature a Cornwall Guide, a Devon guide, a Dorset guide page and a Somerset guide page, to help guide you on what each of these beautiful areas have to offer for holidays.

Bath in North East Somerset is known for its Roman Baths and Pump Room, Museum of Costume and an elegant Georgian town.  Try the Ghost walking tour for a spine tingling experience. Drive to Stonehenge and discover the Druids.  Play with the lions at Longleat. A good place to stay is 18th Century Jasmine Cottage at Trowbridge, near Bath in Wiltshire.

Nearby Bradford on Avon is an appealing market town for a break.  Read our guide on self-catering breaks in Bradford on Avon.

Cheddar Gorge and Caves - Large caves with stalactites and stalagmites, sample Somerset cider, enjoy country pubs in lovely countryside.  Stay in Somerset.

Land's End - the south westerly tip of England that juts out into the sea.  Lovely rugged coastline and beaches, surfing, quaint coastal villages, a popular holiday destination for the English. Beautiful gardens, the Eden Project.  All in Cornwall.

The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is one of England's and Wiltshire's premier tourist attractions.  The country city of Salisbury also comes highly recommended for its wealth of historical buildings, National Trust properties and plentiful charm.

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