Tourism experts are predicting a bumper year for staycations, with more Britons choosing to holiday in the UK due to ongoing uncertainty around jet fuel prices and potential flight cancellations. Holidaymakers are spoilt for choice, with over 350,000 self-catering listings on booking platforms, ranging from rustic barn conversions to seaside villas equipped with modern conveniences for large family gatherings.
We have done some of the legwork and curated a selection of cottages that offer something truly special, whether it is a stunning location, a breathtaking view, or a level of comfort and style that would not be out of place in a boutique hotel.
England
Standout Design in Norfolk
As the Instagrammification of interiors makes holiday cottages increasingly difficult to distinguish, one place stands out: Riverbank in Hunworth. Opened last year by the family behind the pocket-sized sister cottage Spinks Nest, this brick-and-flint workers' cottage near Holt deftly weaves together richly textured fabrics, pretty wallpapers, earthy heritage paints, and carefully chosen vintage finds. Beneath its rustic cosiness, an exacting attention to detail extends to high-spec mattresses and seriously whizzy kitchen appliances. Sit and read beside the chalk stream that winds through the garden, or head out for a stroll around North Norfolk's bird-rich marshes and unspoilt beaches, with Holkham just a 30-minute drive away.
Sleeps four adults (three beds can be added for children), from £1,940 a week.
Fairytale Seclusion in Bedfordshire
If you were looking for filming locations for Hansel and Gretel, Keeper's Cottage would be a shoo-in as the gingerbread cottage. Deep within the Shuttleworth estate and surrounded by Scots pines, this former gamekeeper's cottage was built in 1878 as part of a project to create a model estate. Rescued from dereliction and opened as a holiday cottage with refreshed interiors in 2007, it makes a romantic secluded base for exploring the estate's vintage aircraft and Regency gardens. Alternatively, walk over to neighbouring Old Warden to peer at more model houses before stopping for a pint or a steak and stout pie at the Hare & Hounds.
Sleeps four, from £1,694 a week.
A Treasure Chest in the North York Moors
Tucked amid the steep cobbled lanes and red-roofed cottages that totter down to the sea at Robin Hood's Bay, Burnharbour is a two-bedroom hideaway painted in moody blue-green and ruby. With textile and design lecturers as owners, it is like a live-in treasure chest, featuring shell-barnacled lampshades, a Zellige-tiled bathroom, and a little library of carefully chosen books. Go rockpooling down at the shore, dillydally over coffee or lunch with a view at neighbouring cafe the Cove, follow one of the footpaths along the coast, or take a day trip to Whitby to explore the abbey and eat chocolate japs at Botham's or lemon-top ice-creams at the Sandside Bar.
Sleeps four, from £560 a week.
Artful Upcycling in Cornwall
Among a hamlet of holiday cottages and shepherds' huts a few miles inland from the beaches, rockpools, and fish restaurants of Looe, Gamekeeper's Cottage is a colourful and cosy two-bedroom retreat that has been artfully upcycled from a more dated predecessor. Kitchen cupboards have been painted apple green, a rainforest shower has been installed over the bath, and a wood burner now sits in the sitting room's stone fireplace, surrounded by pretty floral wallpaper. As with all Cottage Orne's properties, guests get access to an outdoor pool, sauna, meditation and yoga studio, and a crafting workshop.
Sleeps four, from £2,325 a week.
A Georgian Townhouse in Kent
In the centre of Deal, steps from the beach and handy for Sunday roasts at the Rose or ramen at the Blue Pelican, Rogue's Cottage stands out from a glut of pretty holiday properties in this cool Kent town. A dainty Georgian townhouse, it has been transformed by interior designer Ashley Ferry with a winning pairing of seaweed, saltwater, and coral paintwork with furnishings that would please even the most grizzled of sea dogs, including a deep copper bathtub, antique headboards, and a dinky wood-burning stove. There is also a tiny courtyard terrace for dining away from the surrounding hubbub.
Sleeps four, from £1,055 a week.
A Mill in the Yorkshire Dales
Overlooking Lake Semerwater in Raydale, a quiet dale off Wensleydale, the 18th-century Silk Mill is one of three self-catering properties threaded across the Wood End estate. Elegantly refurbished by its owner, interior designer Jonathan Reed, the mill is well placed for hay meadow picnics, swims in the lake, or hikes over to Hawes and beyond. Sit on the terrace listening for curlews, or enjoy some in-house art appreciation, admiring co-owner Graeme Black's paintings of the surrounding trees.
Sleeps four, from £2,392 a week.
A Historic Lookout, Devon
Sea views do not get more full-frontal than those at Brandy Head Observation Post near Budleigh Salterton. Built in 1940 for the RAF's top-secret Gunnery Research Unit and restored from dereliction six years ago, it sits on the South West Coast Path and is accessible only on foot. Its terrace makes a perfect vantage point for hikers and birders. With one double bed, two twin bunks, a shower room, and an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, it is a practical base camp for forays to local beaches, along paths that loop through the River Otter Estuary nature reserve, or to Otterton Mill for farm shop foraging and live folk music.
Sleeps six, £900 a week.
A Hideaway in the Peak District
In the former lead-mining village of Bonsall, Bert's Cottage is a model of pale-rendered restraint on the outside, but inside it is awash with colour, texture, and pattern. Refurbished by antique jewellery expert Matt Gerrish and his ballerina wife Lauren Cuthbertson, this four-bedroom hideaway is exactly the marriage of heritage, theatre, and grace you might expect. Antique chests rest against walls busy with paintings, prints, and botanical wallpapers, with bright pops of colour loosening up traditional elements. The location is hard to beat, with rugged Peak District walks, historic mills, and bookish pleasures of Cromford, days out at Chatsworth and Haddon Hall, and the kiss-me-quick pleasures of Matlock.
Sleeps eight, from £1,473 for five nights.
Coniston Views in the Lake District
It is all about the view at this studio apartment on the shores of Coniston Water. The Coachman's Quarters is the smallest of three self-catering cottages at Brantwood, John Ruskin's final home. If the accommodation is rather minibus in scale, the prospect that unfurls through its picture window is more doubledecker. Sit and watch the light fade over the Old Man of Coniston, or steal outside to explore Brantwood's 100 hectares of gardens and woodland in peace after day visitors have left.
Sleeps two, from £955 a week.
Futuristic Pods in Somerset
In Somerset's quieter western reaches, East Quay is quietly stealing a march on the county's better-known artistic enclaves. Overlooking Watchet's pretty harbour, this cafe, gallery, and community arts space looks like it has been beamed down from Bilbao or Hamburg. Run as a social enterprise, it is a buzzy place for brunch, cocktails, a gig, a craft workshop, or an exhibition. Those in the know book one of its five basic self-catering pods and explore the wider region, walking the Quantocks, visiting Greencombe Gardens, or heading to Dunster for pizza at the Luttrell Arms.
Pods sleep between two and six, from £810 a week.
Old Meets New in Herefordshire
More tumbleup than tumbledown, Croft Lodge Studio is a real one-off. Within a new, fully insulated corrugated iron shell sit the ruins of a listed 18th-century home, including ancient oak beams, ivy, and birds' nests. This radical preservation project near Croft won a Royal Institute of British Architects award. Modern amenities include a wet room, underfloor heating, and an EV charger. There is a bluebell wood on the doorstep, and the surrounding parkland leads to the National Trust's Croft Castle estate.
Sleeps four, from £817 a week.
History and Nature in Nottinghamshire
Outside the village of Misterton, the Pump House Art Studio, a cathedral-like holiday let, was originally built in 1828 to drain excess water from the fens into the River Idle. It blends industrial high ceilings, vast windows, and steel beams with a restful natural setting. Beyond the property's private garden lies a site of special scientific interest inhabited by kingfishers, owls, and herons. The interiors have a mid-century vibe, with a kitchen, mezzanine lounge, library nook, and two double bedrooms decorated with local art.
Sleeps four, from £1,052 a week.
Exacting Style in Suffolk
Restaries may be a collection of six holiday rentals set on a farm, but the vibe is more Guy Ritchie than Old MacDonald. Owners Gem and Thom Bon-Scherdel have brought exacting style and hospitality nous to their 16th-century farmhouse and outbuildings near Westhall. The three-bed Cider Store is decorated with local art, bespoke furniture, and a pink, peach, and ochre colour palette designed to reflect local sunsets. It is near the coast, with a playground, swimming pool, and add-on activities from massages to horse riding.
Sleeps six, from £3,000 a week.
Harbour Views in Hampshire
Right on the water's edge at Priddy's Hard, a former naval ammunition facility in Gosport, Adventure Prospect is a two-bedroom cottage built in 1899 as a changing place for workers. Renovated by the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, it is now a smart holiday rental with soothing seaweed shades, a walk-in shower, and a lofty open-plan kitchen and sitting room. It has a private landscaped terrace with wide-angle views across Portsmouth harbour.
Sleeps four, from £1,272 a week.
A Quirky Conversion in Northumberland
You will need to spend a bit more than a penny to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed's former ladies' toilets these days, but the upgrade is worth it. They have been converted into a studio apartment, putting the Victorian building's original glazed bricks and match boarding centre stage while adding modern comforts like a double bed, kitchenette, and wet room. In a quiet corner of the town, the Loovre also has a private courtyard for drinks or dinner outside.
Sleeps two, from £716.50 a week.
Scotland
A Gothic Bolthole in Perthshire
Off-grid cottages are rarely as elegant as the 19th-century Gatehouse on the Monzie estate. Powered by the estate's own 1950s hydro plant, this turreted gothic bolthole has a spiral staircase and a gorse-coloured slipper bath. Spot red squirrels, owls, hares, and deer from the windows, roam across 1,600 hectares of Perthshire countryside, or sign up for a free private tour of Monzie Castle.
Sleeps four, from £1,768 a week.
An Island Escape in the Highlands
On an island in Loch Sunart, Carna House is suited to castaways. One of only three houses on Carna, its rates include a return boat crossing from Laga Bay. Cars are left in a private car park, and with limited wifi, screens might as well be left behind. Focus on seals, otters, or sea eagles with binoculars, scale the island's summit, or head out on the water in the boat provided.
Sleeps eight, from £2,500 a week.
Scandi Design in Midlothian
In a quiet glen near Penicuik, Eastside is a collection of cottages on a working farm. The Wash House is an ode to clean-lined, light-soaked Scandinavian design, with a wood-burner and sculptural slatted ash screening. Rental comes with access to Eastside's woodland spa, a fern-dappled dell with a steam-sauna yurt and spring-water plunge pool.
Sleeps two, from £1,260 a week.
Simple but Stylish in Dumfries & Galloway
Steps from the water in the coastal village of Kippford, 1 Ford View is an affordable three-bedroom retreat with reflective views. Simple but stylish, it has a butter-coloured bathroom, wood-burning stove, vintage furniture, and a small terrace. Stroll to the beach, listen to yacht masts, or watch the sunset over the estuary from the window seat upstairs.
Sleeps four, from £708 a week.
Tradition with a Twist, Aberdeenshire
Overlooking the river on the Glen Dye estate near Banchory, Gamekeeper's Cottage is a model of modern country style. Traditional sash windows, wooden floorboards, and Highland stonework form a homely backdrop to bright artworks and vintage finds. With 15,000 acres of moorland, woods, and riverbanks, there are endless possibilities for hiking, wild swimming, and food events.
Sleeps six, from £1,315 a week.
A Waterside Hideaway in the Highlands
Near Gairloch, Arrowdale makes a luxurious base with its wood-burning stove, high-spec kitchen, and panoramic windows. When not visiting Inverewe Gardens or taking an otter safari, enjoy scenic picnics in the grounds. Two tandem kayaks come with the house for exploring a deserted beach a 30-minute paddle away.
Sleeps six, from £2,350 a week.
A Harbourside Haven in the Scottish Borders
Perched above Cove harbour, Blue Cabin by the Sea is approached on foot via a tunnel. It has a cornflower-blue sitting room with Orkney chairs, two pea-green bedrooms, and a kitchen with seaweed-shaped cupboard handles. Swim in the harbour, buy crab from local fishers, or walk to the ruins of Fast Castle.
Sleeps four, from £1,250 a week.
Wales
A Manor House in Gwynedd
Carregfelen, a seven-bedroom manor house near Porthmadog, dates from the 14th century and was extended in the 1920s by architect Clough Williams-Ellis. It features turquoise paintwork, inglenook fireplaces, and gardens framing views of Moel y Gest mountain. Book a private session in the estate's woodland sauna after hiking or visiting Criccieth Castle.
Sleeps 11, from £3,034 a week.
Comfort and Character in Anglesey
Steps from the beach in Beaumaris, Porth Hir has been overlooking the Menai Strait for 400 years. It pairs beams, antique furniture, and decorative plasterwork with a modern range cooker and king-size beds. A covered veranda allows outdoor seating even in rain, and the first-floor lounge offers sea views.
Sleeps six, from £1,500 a week.
A Cute Thatch in Ceredigion
Wake to birdsong at 300-year-old Glan Yr Afon in Cardigan Bay. This thatched hideaway near Llangrannog balances modern plumbing with preserved architectural details. With a king-size bedroom and a twin upstairs, the garden is tended by an artist. Wander through woods to the coast, with the Plwmp Tart cafe as an excellent end goal.
Sleeps four, from £1,350 a week.
Coastal Seclusion in Gwynedd
Perched in the hills outside Aberdyfi, Glygyrog Wen offers comfortable lookout over the mesmerising coastline. A high-spec kitchen, gleaming dining room, and four bedrooms provide space for groups, while a games barn with table tennis and a mezzanine bar ensures rain need not stop play.
Sleeps eight, from £1,955 a week.
Stay on a Vineyard in Powys
Highbrook Cottage is set on a low-intervention vineyard near Presteigne. Its sorbet-coloured paintwork, tapestry blankets, and welcome pack of homemade welshcakes give traditional Welsh hospitality a fresh update. Order the owners' wine to be waiting on arrival, and explore the Radnor Forest or Hergest Croft Gardens.
Sleeps four, from £765 a week.
A Former Coaching Inn in Carmarthenshire
Maenllwyd, a 17th-century coaching inn near Meidrim, pairs cosy fires and antique Welsh dressers with a modern walk-in shower and range cooker. It is dog-friendly with an enclosed three-acre field, and humans can enjoy a full-size pickleball court. The Carmarthenshire coast is 30 minutes away.
Sleeps seven, from £1,669 a week.
Northern Ireland
A Rural Retreat in County Derry
Local architect Patrick Bradley added a cantilevered shipping container to his great-great-uncle Barney's derelict cottage near Maghera, creating a rural retreat. Inside is a plywood-lined kitchen, bathroom, and double bedroom with sliding doors to a balcony. Outside, a firepit area and twin outdoor bathtubs overlook the meadow.
Sleeps two, from £810 a week.
A Stylish Stable in County Derry
Stable One at Camus House, a listed Georgian estate outside Coleraine, is a stylishly restored outbuilding with an open-plan kitchen, dining room, and living room. Restful buttermilk and caramel paintwork is brought to life by vintage furniture and fresh flowers. It is a 20-minute drive from Causeway Coast beaches.
Sleeps four, from £1,148 a week.
All prices are for late May and June and were correct at the time of going to press.
