Area Guides for Cottage Holidays in the UK and Ireland

Our area guides focus on popular areas for cottage holidays throughout the UK and Ireland.  Find out about some of the most sought after destinations for self catering breaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.   The UK is a country that many like to visit from both home and abroad because of its beautiful green countryside, diverse landscape and rich history.  All the countries within the UK boast interesting historical architecture of note and interest.  Also, being an island, as well as having numerous rural regions, ranging from forest to agricultural land, the UK also has an interesting and varied coastline ranging from high jagged cliffs to golden sand beaches that many like to explore.

 

Our Holiday Guides by Country

Country Cottage Holidays in England Guide

Country Cottages Scotland Guide

Country Cottage Holidays Ireland Guide

Self-Catering and Country Cottage Holidays in Wales Guide

Britain's National Parks:

• For divine countryside and unspoilt scenery, Britain's National Parks come highly recommended and our guide explains what makes these areas so special.

Sleep 6 people comfortably - cottages, pine lodges and assorted holiday accommodation for 6

Activities that many like to enjoy in the UK when taking cottage breaks include walking, cycling, fishing and golfing, to name just a few.   
Do your research when planning your self catering holiday and check out what activities are available to enjoy in the area you plan to visit.

Britain's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Also very popular when it comes to country cottage holidays, are Britain's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

Self-catering holidays in British Islands

Britain has a number of islands that are idyllic holiday destinations: The Channel islands, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, the Outer Hebrides. Read about:

• Dog-friendly holidays in the Channel islands

Or read on for our summarised information on places to go and things to see in the different countries that make up the UK on a country cottage holiday.

 

Country Cottage Holidays in England:

England is a country known for idyllic English country cottage holidays.  When people think of England many think of winding country lanes, pretty thatched cottages, rolling green hills and pretty historical villages.  England has all of this and more. There are many beautiful coastal areas in England including the West Country in the South West of England with its traditional coastal resorts and seaside cottages to rent.  Immensely popular because of its great coastline and beaches, may British people holiday in the West country, especially for family breaks. These can be in individual independent cottages or on pet friendly holiday parks.  England also has an abundance of country houses and beautiful gardens to visit and a number of interesting forts and castles.  In the North of England, the landscape has much in common with Scotland with mountainous areas and lakes.  

Some of England's Top Recommended Destinations include: 

 

• The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks in the north of England are some of the best loved hiking destinations. Most foreign tourists to Britain  visit the city of York and Yorkshire, the largest county of England during their tour. You may perhaps be interested in a farmhouse stay for 8 people in the north west of England?

• The south coast of England has rolling Downs and plenty of beaches. Each county, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset and Kent has a good number of seaside towns for cottage holidays. The British seaside holiday is adored and despised in equal measures.  So many British people have simply not yet discovered our own superb home-grown beaches. We have stunning sandy beaches, remote beaches where the wildlife outnumbers people.

• The South West of England, also known as the West Country, includes the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset typically attract many British families who head there over the summer months, hoping to catch some sunshine.

• Shakespeare Country and the nearby fabulous rolling countryside of the Cotswolds including towns such as Gloucester.

• The vibrant city of London with its many sights and attractions.  London has an astonishing array of museums, theatres, restaurants and galleries.  If you are a culture vulture you should love what London has to offer.  The London Eye with its bird's eye view of London is not to be missed.  London's musicals are world famous and are another must-see attraction.

• The tranquil New Forest with its wild ponies and forest trails is a great place for walkers and cyclists.

• East Anglia which includes Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire including Cambridge

offers picture perfect sleepy villages and acres of beautiful countryside.

• Wiltshire, home to the Wiltshire Downs and mystical Stonehenge has plenty of unspoilt countryside to discover as well as beautiful historical towns such as Salisbury.

• The South West for beaches, coves and pretty villages.  Also where you can find the amazing historical city of Bath

• Home counties around London such as Buckinghamshire for short breaks.

   

 

There are so many beautiful parts of England to explore.  We hope you find our guide useful and inspiring for cottage breaks in the UK, or read more about self catering holidays in England. 

Read more about England in our country cottage holidays in England guide.

Undiscovered Destinations in England:

As well as the well known areas for cottage breaks in England, there are also some less well known areas such as Lincolnshire, Durham and Northumberland to name just a few.  Taking a holiday in one of these counties that are off the beaten track can often be a good option if you want a peaceful relaxing break.

 

Self Catering Cottage Holidays in Scotland:

 

Scotland is a country known for its amazing landscape.  Scotland is more sparsely populated than England, it’s possible in Scotland to find beaches where you can walk all alone with just the seagulls for company.  If you want to get away from it all and spend time in awe inspiring scenery think Scotland, the land of glens and lochs, eagles and salmon.  The Highlands are particularly beautiful with stunning mountain scenery and fantastic wildlife watching opportunities.  

The West Coast is known for beautiful lochs and coastal areas.  Aberdeenshire is home to the whisky and castle trail.  Each are in Scotland has its own charms. If you love nature spotting and want some time amongst really soulful scenery head for the Islands of Scotland for complete peace and tranquillity.  

Read more about Scotland or take a look at our guides on popular destinations throughout Scotland.

 

 

Some of Scotland's Recommended Holiday Destinations include:

• Highlands  and Islands, home to the Cairngorms, eagles, deer and the scenic Isle of Skye.

• Speyside with its castles and distilleries
• Deeside , also known as Royal Deeside, and also Donside - the area around the granite city and oil capital, Aberdeen.
• The amazing capital city of Edinburgh

Find out more about the stunning and interesting places in our visit Scotland guide.

 

Country Cottage Holidays in Ireland:

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle on account of its beautiful green scenery.  Ireland is not typically associated with country cottage holidays, the holiday homes in Ireland tend to be bungalows or converted crofters cottages.  Ireland is a country steeped in mysticism and myth and known for its great musicians and the Irish in particular are known for their sense of ‘Craic’ and humour.

Read on for specific information on what each area of Ireland has to offer for self catering holidays.

Some of Ireland's Recommended Areas for Cottage Holidays include:

• Country Cottage Holidays in Ireland
• Self catering holidays in Northern Ireland - experience the magic of the Giant's causeway, the mountains of Mourne and Devenish island.
• Ireland's lakelands - if you love being near Loughs and at the waters edge, read our guide on Ireland's water wonderland.
• Ireland's South East
• The South West of Ireland
• Ireland's enchanting Mid West region of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary

Self-Catering Cottage Holidays in Wales

Wales is home to the amazing mountains and coastal areas of Snowdonia.  Wales is a popular choice for country cottage holidays as Wales is very accessible from many parts of England.  Wales attracts many ramblers and walkers who enjoy the beautiful countryside that Wales has to offer.  The coastal areas of Wales including Pembrokeshire are known to be particularly beautiful and attract many keen birdwatchers.  Some visit the North of Wales, some Mid Wales and some head for the South of Wales.  Wherever in Wales you choose to explore we trust that you will enjoy this special cottage holiday destination.






 

Some of Wales's Top Destinations include:

• Pembrokeshire
• Snowdonia
• The national park and mountain range of the Brecon Beacons

For county specific information on the different areas of Wales, see:

-     Country Cottage Holidays in Wales

If you're still not sure where to go, take a look at our inspiration page or our advice on finding the best kind of cottage for you.