Discover one of Essex’s best selections of holiday cottages on Country Cottages Online. Choices include dog-friendly, coastal and countryside retreats, book the best self-catering holiday accommodation in Essex for you.
Why Book a Holiday Cottage in Essex?
Essex in East Anglia has lots to offer for cottage holidays, including stunning countryside and a beautiful coastline. Whatever type of self-catering holiday accommodation you choose to rent, whether a country retreat, a coastal escape, a barn conversion or a farm stay, Essex is a great place to holiday.
Located in the South East of England, neighbouring Kent, Suffolk and Hertfordshire, Essex is one of the home counties bordering London and is just a train ride or car ride away from the city, making it an appealing place for short breaks, long weekends and weekend getaways.
Discover Coastal Essex on a Self-Catering Break
If you want to breathe in sea air and enjoy some time on the beach or walking by the coast, Essex has lots to offer. For traditional seaside towns with a pier, fun fair rides, amusements and attractions, then Southend on Sea or Clacton on Sea should fit the bill.
If instead, you want somewhere a bit more peaceful where you can enjoy paddling in the sea and relaxing on the beach, Mersea Island, Brightlingsea, Walton on the Naze and Frinton on the Sea are ideal choices.
Estuary Towns in Essex
Also popular in Essex are charming historical estuary towns like Burnham on Crouch, with its olde worlde charm and river views over the Crouch, historical Maldon by the Blackwater Estuary with its quay and Thames barge cruises. For somewhere more peaceful but with ample historical coastal charm and impressive salt marshes, Tollesbury is a great place to visit. Heybridge Basin is also a very pretty spot with barges, a marina, two very good food pubs, and good access to coastal paths. Further up the coast, near Colchester, is charming Wivenhoe with its historical pubs and good walks.
Taking a boat trip can be one of the best ways to see the beautiful Essex coastline. Most of the small towns around the coast and river estuaries offer boating and sailing via local yacht clubs.
Discover the Best of the Essex Countryside on a Cottage Break
If you want to immerse yourself in countryside on a self-catering break, Essex has plenty to offer. Some of the best towns and places to visit in the Essex countryside include the pretty historical town of Coggeshall with its vast array of historical and timber-framed listed buildings (some of which date back as far as the 1500s). Thaxted with its olde worlde medieval high street, Guildhall and restored windmill, the rural village of Dedham with its riverside walks, cream teas and close proximity to Constable Country and Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Saffron Walden too is a very elegant Essex town with some beautiful gardens to visit, and Audley End close by. For walks, bike rides and the chance to wildlife watch for deer, don’t miss Epping Forest!
Want More Information on Holidays in Essex?
If you want more ideas and inspiration, read our Guide to Cottage Holidays in Essex.
More Things to See and Do on a Cottage Break in Essex
• Visit a Vineyard on holiday: Essex’s fascinating vineyards are a well kept secret. Options include New Hall vineyard for a more rustic feel or Crouch Valley for stunning river views.
• Enjoy a spot of Shopping: If you love to shop, then the main towns such as Chelmsford and Colchester have superb high street shopping centres and Lakeside in Thurrock is an enormous purpose built shopping centre.
• Taste Essex oysters and discover Seaside Restaurants: Essex is home to some superb seafood restaurants, particularly in Leigh on Sea, and close to Burnham on Crouch and Maldon you will find shacks selling Essex oysters.
Find the Best Self-Catering Accommodation in Essex for you
Whether you opt to book a coastal cottage, a rural retreat, a pet-friendly barn, a romantic lodge or a family-friendly rental, we hope you find the best self-catering holiday accommodation in Essex for you.
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