These are the best holiday cottages in the UK as searches for British holidays surge by 300%

Plus details of their availability.

31 Best Holiday Cottages UK 2021 Most Beautiful Holiday Rentals

In an on-going quest to find the most Instagram-worthy of holiday destinations, it's easy to overlook the UK. But as we're encouraged to consider our home country as the only feasible holiday option this summer, we've begun to realise just how many hidden gems (and beautiful British holiday cottages) we have right on our doorstep. UK holidays are fiercely underrated - take it from a British countryside-obsessive - and thanks to the government's "out of lockdown roadmap" announcement, we might be able to enjoy one as soon as early Summer.

Right now, under the current travel rules, Brits can only travel within the UK or internationally for 'essential reasons', which includes work, education and medical appointments. That said, campsite and self-catering holiday lets can re-open on April 12 for single households, and - assuming all goes to plan - overnight stays with people from outside of your household will be allowed from May 17. Girls' weekend away, come at us.

Brits are VERY excited about the news. According to Google Search Trends data, there was a 300% surge in searches for UK holidays yesterday evening, with Brits eager to book a holiday in a British holiday cottage pronto. In fact, many have already made their reservations, with Hitachi Personal Finance reporting that one in three (34%) Brits already have weekend breaks booked either abroad or in the UK for later this year in anticipation of COVID restrictions being lifted. Basically, UK holiday rentals are booking up with SPEED - so if you want a cute and wholesome stay in one of Britain's best holiday cottages later this year, you'll want to get your act together.

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Despite being reminiscent of childhood holidays, holiday cottages can be just as chic as the Balinese treehouse you originally planned to stay in this summer - if only you know where to look. (We do). We're talking secluded, remote and private alternatives to hotels that allow you to escape without seeing another soul. Ideal.

  • Holiday Cottages UK With Hot Tubs: The Cotswolds

    The Cotswold Manor Vineyard, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 12 people

    Availability: There is availability in July, August and September - and earlier!

    The grounds of this grand Manor House are great for the 'gram, with surrounding vineyards, a light and airy conservatory and a relaxing hot tub. There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

  • Holiday Cottages UK Cornwall

    See St Ives From a Charming Fisherman's Cottage, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 4 guests.

    Availability: There's no availability in July but there are dates in every month. Act quickly!

    This gorgeous little cottage is in the ever-popular UK holiday destination of St. Ives - littered with gorgeous views and eateries. It boasts a rustic-chic vibe with contemporary fixtures, original floorboards and granite walls. At the end of your day exploring, you can relax by the cosy log-burning fireplace or out on the private patio.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: East Sussex

    Cinque Ports View, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 4 guests

    Availability: There are dates in March, April, May, June, July and onwards.

    This cool and contemporary apartment has been recently been renovated. It's situated in the centre of Rye, which is packed full of quaint streets, coffee shops and independent shops. You're also a short drive away from the stunning Camber Sands which boasts some of the most insane sunsets in the UK. Sold.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Kent

    Peaceful Idyllic Stable, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 4 guests.

    Availability: There's availability here in March, April, May, June and every month following at time of publication.

    This homely and cosy cottage in Kent is not only super easy to reach from London, but surrounded by fields and sheep. The dream. It has two bedrooms - one with a double bed and one with two singles - making it great for both couples and young families.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Padstow, Cornwall

    Spacious Lodge in Padstow, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 6 guests.

    Availability: There are some dates available in April, May and June. After that, you'd be looking at late summer and the autumn.

    This gorgeous lodge in Cornwall's Padstow is located close to the coast and boasts a sage-hued farmhouse style kitchen and French doors which lead from the modern lounge to a spacious deck which is glorious in the summer.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Sandwich, Kent

    Immaculate Cape Cod-Inspired Spencer House in Sandwich, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 5 guests.

    Availability: There are free dates in every month from April onwards at time of publication.

    This Airbnb Plus property is a gorgeous base from which to explore historic Sandwich. It has three bedrooms and has been lovingly restored, finished with tasteful furnishings that all complement the beach theme. The best part? The sun trap of the terrace. For sure.

  • Holiday Cottages UK By The Sea: Cornwall

    Wesley Homes Cottage in Cornwall, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 3 guests

    Availability: At time of publication, there are plenty of dates left in April and every month beyond!

    How lovely is this Cornish barn?! It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries and explore the county, thanks to its cosy interiors. Its unique blend of character is coupled with modern luxuries such as the underfloor heating and walk in shower, and you can walk to the local village with ease.

  • Holiday Cottages UK With Hot Tubs: West Sussex

    Luxury Family Witterings Beach House in West Sussex, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 8 people

    Availability: This property has availability from April 2021 at time of booking.

    It's super modern and just two minutes from the beach. The kitchen/living area has glass doors which open up onto a private garden, where you'll find a lawn for sunbathing and a relaxing hot tub.

  • Holiday Cottages Cornwall

    Barnwell Cottage, Cubert

    Sleeps: up to 6

    Availability: The first free dates are in March! Go, go, go!

    Barnwell Cottage is one of the most beautiful holiday cottages in Cornwall, with vaulted ceilings, huge inglenook fireplaces and light and airy bedrooms. There are three double bedrooms, two modern bathrooms plus a sociable kitchen-diner-snug. Every base has been covered here - from the access to Amazon Prime and Netflix to the underfloor heating, Sonos Sound System and BBQ. It's the perfect retreat.

  • Luxury Cottages UK: Malvern, Worcestershire

    The Artisan, Plum Guide

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    Just as gorgeous in the winter as it is in the summer, this property sits on a quiet slope on the edges of the Malvern Hills of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a wood-fired hot tub to enjoy after a long day of walking, a comfortable queen bed and a cosy fire inside.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Derbyshire

    Romantic 17th Century Barn, Derbyshire

    Sleeps: up to 2

    Availability: Free dates here start in May!

    This barn in Derbyshire is perfect for exploring the Peak District or the Dales. It's nestled in a beautiful, small village is 15 mins walk from Carsington Water and offers plenty of space. There is underfloor heating, a smart TV, a wood-fired log burner and a fabulous decked area at the front of the cottage for your private use.

  • Holiday Cottages Cotswolds

    Mrs Daffodil, Plum Guide

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    Like something straight out of a movie set, this gorgeous thatched cottage makes a romantic nesting place for couples in need of a romantic winter break. There are plenty of walks to do right on the doorstep of this cottage, while the local towns of Tetbury and Cirencester offer excellent pubs and cafes for afternoon teas. Inside, there's a wood-burning stove and velvet sofas to help you warm up and get cosy.

  • Luxury Holiday Cottages UK: Gloucestershire

    The Little House, Plum Guide

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    We're obsessed with this gorgeous little Gloucestershire cottage which mixes farmhouse chic with mid-century modern furniture. Why's it perfect for winter? It has everything you could possibly need for a cosy weekend away, from the huge bed to the roll-top bath, the underfloor heating and the sprawling magical garden.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: East Sussex

    Snug Victorian Cottage, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 4 guests

    Availability: There are free dates here from March onwards.

    Spend your days on long countryside walks then spend your evenings warming up in front of the fire, reading a book in the bespoke 4-poster bed and dining in the impressive living space. This place is winter break perfection.

  • Holiday Cottages Lake District

    Loveday, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There is availability here from August onwards.

    How cosy does this cottage look?! It sits half a mile from the shores of Lake Windermere - an ideal spot for winter walking - and boasts modern rustic decor, super-fast internet, Smart TV and Sonos sound system to enjoy when you return.

  • Holiday Cottages Cotswolds

    The Hazelnut, Plum Guide

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    This small but cosy cottage in the heart of the Cotswolds is great for exploring the area's outstanding nature this winter. It's close to rolling fields, cosy pubs and Hook Norton's brewery, plus, Oxford is just a short drive away if you fancy a look around the city.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Sussex

    Architect's Upscale Hay Barn Conversion, Rural Sussex

    Sleeps: up to 4

    Availability: You'll have to wait 'til November with this one - it's so popular! Get booking for the winter now.

    Escape to rural Sussex and stay in this beautiful converted barn. It has space for four across two bedrooms, and boasts underfloor heating, luxurious kitchen, garden pond and log-burning stove. When can we move in?

  • Holiday Cottages Cornwall

    Carren Bach Cottage with Hot Tub Cabin & BBQ Deck, Pembrokeshire

    Sleeps: up to 4

    Availability: There is availability here from March onwards at time of publication.

    Situated in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park and surrounded by National Trust land, Carren Bach Cottage is the perfect getaway for everything from surf to wildlife and the exploring of local villages. It has a BBQ, terrace, free-standing hot tub and contemporary interiors.

  • Holiday Cottages Wales

    Lovely Courtyard Cottage near Abergavenny, Wales

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: This property has availability from April.

    Close to Abergavenny and the beautiful Black Mountains, this stylish countryside retreat is perfect for a couple looking to escape the city. It still boasts the stone walls, arched windows and low beams it was built with, and it has a smart TV, wifi, lots of books, 100% cotton bed linen, fluffy cotton towels and individual bathroom products for you to enjoy. There is a kitchen garden for breakfast, and a courtyard to the side of the property.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Devon

    Fingals Folly, Dittisham

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: You'll have to be a bit patient with this one. There are some dates left in March; after that, you'll have to wait 'til November.

    For the most perfect seaside retreat, head to Fingals Folly in Dittisham - a village in the South Hams district of Devon. This home was designed by Hungarian artist-architect Andras Kaldor, and the result is something totally unique and relaxing. From the hallway's built-in Buddha to the array of sailing boats on the upstairs beams, it oozes character and style. There's an upstairs balcony which overlooks a tennis court which is a gorgeous touch.

  • Holiday Rentals UK: Oxfordshire

    Characterful Village Retreat, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There are free dates here from the beginning of May.

    Stay here and you'll head off on a fresh country stroll to a local heritage site before stepping into the roll-top bath for a relaxing evening soak. The warm tones of the furnishings in this cosy holiday cottage make the perfect, romantic winter retreat.

  • Best holiday cottages UK: Worcestershire

    The Dervish, Broadway

    Sleeps: 4 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    Fancy an escape to the Cotswolds? Broadway is a stunning destinations, thanks to its honey-hued stone buildings and independent shops. This charming cottages has been decorated with luxurious textures, bright colours and luxe soft furnishings to create a stunning space from which to relax after a long countryside walk. There are also a few nods to Istanbul, where owners Julia and Tarkan lived for many years, adding a personal touch to proceedings.

  • Luxury Cottages UK: Kent

    Secluded Countryside Lodge with Alfresco Hot Tub, Maidstone

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There is some availability here in June, July and August. Act fast.

    How chic is this decor of this property?! We're obsessed. It's packed with one-of-a-kind details thanks to the hosts' eclectic style. There are double doors out to the terrace where you can let the sounds of nature waft through the lodge. In the garden, fire up the BBQ, dine al fresco and enjoy a midnight dip in the hot tub. Dream.

  • Luxury Cottages UK: Somerset

    The Magnetic, Bath

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    This stunning Bath property won a nomination from Plum Guide's quality team for its standout features, desirable location and thoughtful design aesthetic. It has a beautiful view over Bath Abbey, a well-equipped kitchen and a stunning roof terrace for al fresco drinks and dining.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Somerset

    Faerie World, Bath

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    You'll feel like you're living in a fairytale if you head to Faerie World in Bath. It's a high-positioned cottage which boasts views over a stream and the woodland below. In fact, you can hear the babbling brook from the terrace. The highlights of this place? The countryside walks that are right on your doorstep, the high-end ceramics which offer beautiful finishing touches, the stylish living and bedroom areas and the luscious garden.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Peak District

    Stunning Townhouse for Two, Bakewell

    Sleeps: up to 2

    Availability: There are some dates left in April, May and June. Hurry!

    This Georgian townhouse sits in the centre of Bakewell. It's ideally located for long walks in the Peak District, and laid out over three floors, boasts a spacious living room, luxury shower room, double bedroom and ground floor kitchen/dining area.

  • Best holiday cottages UK: Cheltenham

    Luxury Detached Coach House, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There are free dates here in April, May, June and beyond.

    This converted one-bedroom coach house sits at the end of a private lane near to Cheltenham. You'll enjoy a private, enclosed courtyard garden plus gated parking, and easy access to central Cheltenham and The Cotswolds villages.

  • Luxury Cottages UK: Somerset

    Country Postcard, Plum Guide

    Sleeps: 4 guests

    Availability: Please enquire with the owner for availability. Doing so is super easy on the Plum Guide website.

    Formerly a signal box complete with an artist's studio, this property also comes with a completely separate Shepherd's Hut for sleeping in. There are plenty of countryside walks to enjoy around this cottage, plus The Fox & Badger for a rewarding pub lunch afterwards.

  • Holiday Cottages UK Cotswolds

    The Potting Shed 5* Luxury Escape in Cirencester, Airbnb

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There are dates free here in March, April, May, June and July.

    Following an 18-month restoration, The Potting Shed is the quintessential 5* Cotswold escape. It's located within the grounds of an elegant Grade II-listed Georgian town house on Cecily Hill - voted one of the prettiest streets in England. With beams and log-burning fire, this place is perfect in the winter.

  • Holiday Cottages UK: Sykes Cottages Peak District

    Overlea Cottage, Sykes Cottages

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: At time of publication, there are dates left in April and beyond.

    At the end of a country lane, this cosy cottage is a wonderful base for taking in the nearby Derbyshire countryside. Enjoy the modern mixed with the traditional in this cottage, with it's refreshing colour palette, open-plan living area, modern bathrooms and exposed beams. Take a stroll into the nearby village of Hayfield on the Sett Valley Trail, or head further into the Peak District to soak up the panoramic countryside views.

  • Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages: Wiltshire

    Fishlock's Cottage, National Trust

    Sleeps: 2 guests

    Availability: There are dates available here as early as the end of March.

    With a minimum stay of three nights, this gorgeous cottage looks like it has been pulled straight from the set of The Holiday. Dogs are welcome and the walks on the doorstep of this place are gorgeous.