English country holiday cottages to rent

Hand-Picked Rental Holiday Cottages In England UK

Affordable self-catering accommodation for city breaks and rural retreats.

Unique Rentals in Amazing Locations

Hand-picked quality self-catering cottages

Quality self-catering cottages - WhichCottage

Accommodation for your holiday

Explore English self-catering holiday accommodation

Whichcottage.co.uk specialise in English holiday cottages, we feature a unique collection of affordable self-catering accommodation, cosy cottages for couples and small groups and spacious large family holiday homes across England. Are you looking for a spontaneous mini-break, a family half-term escape or a two week summer holiday house? - We've got it covered! Featuring discounted special offers and late availability in rural and coastal, quirky, city and country self-catering holiday cottages to rent in English holiday towns and villages, many featuring swimming pools and hot tubs for luxury relaxation.

Are you a first time visitor to England or just in need of some inspiration of where to visit and which cottage to rent? Should you go for a south coast beach holiday at the seaside or a pet friendly walking holiday in the Lake District? Let us help you decide - enjoy our constantly updated tourist destination guides with interesting current holiday activities, places of interest to visit, fabulous local food and events. We are a team of people who love travelling and have lots of experience to help you choose the right cottage to rent for your vacation in England - please feel free to contact us for further top tips and to answer any questions that you may have.

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country cottages in England

Holiday cottages

The range of cottages for vacationers to rent in England is big, small one-bedroomed hideaways, two, three or four bedroomed cottages with a log fire - and deluxe large self-catering lodges sleeping up to 30 - with private hot tubs for those seeking that extra special getaway treat! The UK is well connected with cheap flights from across the world and Europe, and has a reliable motorway and train network, making self-catering an easy and affordable holiday choice. You can find an isolated self-catering cottage in the English countryside, a coastal seaside holiday home or an idyllic thatched and remote country cottage to rent.
We also have a selection of contemporary town houses, apartments, converted barns and bunk house holiday homes for weekly bookings or short breaks. There is a big choice of high quality furnished holiday accommodation to rent in England. Some cottages are booked directly with the owner so there is no commission to pay, others are booked directly on-line, this is clearly detailed and discounted rates are offered for last minute availability where applicable. A furnished, fully equipped self-catering cottage allows you the freedom to come and go as you please and enjoy a relaxing holiday. The properties are all well equipped and many are luxury holiday cottages in England that are suitable for small and large group accommodation. Looking for a bargain? That's no problem, we also list cheap cottages for rent.

beach holiday accommodation in Cornwall

Short breaks

A short break in an English country cottage - or eco-friendly cabin will give you the opportunity to recharge your batteries, perhaps over a weekend or even a mid week break! Farm stays are particularly popular for families who live in the town and want their children to experience farm animals, amazing views and fabulous outdoor rural life; it's a wonderful escape, and secluded rural romantic breaks are just perfect for a couple wanting to take a little time out. Most of the properties listed offer mid-week and weekend breaks at special prices out of season. If you have a baby on board - check the cot, high chair, stair gate and gated swimming pool features.
A short break in England is perfect for exploring an area, or enjoying a holiday activity and relaxing in front of a log fire at the end of a busy day. A short break in the Lake District in a luxurious self-catering bolt hole is the perfect base to walk in the hills around the lakes and enjoy great hospitality in a traditional English pub. A weekend break in the country is very popular; farmhouses and unspoilt historic fishing villages too - spoilt for choice? Renting a self-catering cottage is an opportunity for foodies to enjoy local ingredients, cafes and restaurants and really make your break easy and restful. Accommodation and location guides to England are available for city and rural countryside self catering weekend and holiday break planning.

English town

UK city breaks

City breaks are a great way to explore English towns and cities that you have not visited before; beautiful urban town houses and city apartments offering self-catering holiday lets can be booked from as little as 2 nights. Its easy to fly to major UK cities for a cheap city break, or if you live close enough travel in by train or road. If you rent an apartment in the centre of a town / city then you will have no need to rent a car and you can walk to all the main sights and attractions - walking on foot is such a good way to soak up the atmosphere. Accommodation to rent for city breaks are well equipped for short breaks and often have a welcome pack waiting for you that will be sufficient for your breakfast, but a cafe is never far away if you prefer the catered option.
City breaks in York and Durham are popular in the north, whilst city breaks in Oxford, Winchester and Brighton in Sussex and Sherbourne are popular with people living in the UK's main cities of London, Manchester and Birmingham. Newcastle and Polperro in Cornwall are more recent places on the city breaks 'must visit' list but they too have lots to offer to the visitor. Boutique self catering properties and more budget minded ones are available for rent.

large holiday house with indoor swimming pool

Large holiday houses

You can rent large houses cosy for 12 and spacious for 20+, that are perfect for special gatherings, in all seasons - Easter and summer holidays, autumn or winter breaks. If you are getting married you may consider renting a large holiday house in England as a wedding venue to tie the knot in, at unique spectacular location. There are lots styles of accommodation from country house mansions and castles to let and spacious purpose built properties with all mod cons for a big party. Big holiday accommodation for a large group of friends wanting a home stay together, or for two or more families on vacation together.
Large self-catering houses are often rented for a family party - to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary - and this is a great way for different generations to come together. A group of cottages together can be rented as a block if you can't find a large enough holiday house or large cottage to rent - sometime if there are babies and toddlers in the group, a families own domestic space can be useful! Cottages with five bedrooms sleeping 10 are classified as large holiday cottages Games rooms and entertainment are often found in large rental properties, with some boasting entertainment room with cinema projector (media room), games rooms, table tennis, indoor or outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, boat house, Gym, snooker table, hot tubs - and plenty of space for all the family and guests to enjoy.

Board games in cottage

Last minute cottage holidays

Many English cottages to rent offer late availability and often give a discount for last minute bookings. Many of us leave booking a holiday cottage to the last minute and whilst it can lead to a bargain holiday, the chances of finding the type of accommodation in the area you want can be risky - particularly in the prime holiday season. If you use the search box you can find cottages in all parts of England which still have late availability. If you need late availability holiday cottages then this is your best chance of finding an idyllic country cottage at all times of the year. Couples wanting baby-friendly breaks and romantic escapes at the last minute will find it easier as there are many more small self-catering homes to rent than big ones. Be impulsive and search and compare cheap late booking deals for an impromptu getaway, the discounted rates are highlighted in red.

miles of sandy beach and secluded cove

Cottages to rent by the sea

Do you want to rent a stylish self-catering beach hut, a whitewashed thatched cottage by the sea or your own private cliff top retreat? Perhaps beach front location on the coast of Cornwall with direct beach access, a private holiday home on the north Norfolk coast, coastal cottages by the sea in Sussex or surfers paradise in a quaint cottage in a fishing village in Corwall? Renting a holiday cottage by the sea is perfect at all times of the year - in the summer you can picnic on the beach and in the spring, autumn or winter you can have glorious walks along the sea (often on deserted sandy beaches) or rent bikes for peddling down to the beach.
Traditional beach houses, modern contemporary beach house conversions, secluded seafront cottages, cheap pet friendly cottages by the sea, are amongst the coastal cottage range - huge investment goes into holiday properties and stunning accommodation is offered for rent. The English coast and beaches in the British Isles vary so much - as do seaside cottages - you will find white sandy beaches, wild rugged pebbled coastline and white chalky cliffs to meandering sand dunes. Book a cottage now and start thinking about sea lapping at the doorstep, stunning coastal vistas and the sound of the waves never being far away!

couple in love on honeymoon

Honeymoon cottages

Holiday cottages for your honeymoon are perfect for couples wanting to go off the radar and enjoy a truly unique property offering privacy after their big day. A log fire provides an instant romantic atmosphere - snuggle up in front of the open fire with and just relax. Many of these hidden away or isolated self-catering cottages are very romantic - in beautiful parts of England, some with thatched roofs, why not surprise your partner and book a Valentine's Day escape.
If you are planning your honeymoon look for a luxury cottage designed with romance in mind, perhaps glorious views and surrounded by pretty countryside ... a heated outdoor jacuzzi hot tub, a king-size four poster bed? couples will love the privacy of a private holiday home and there are many facilities you can choose to make it extra special. You might want a one-bedroomed cottage near a great gastro pub or restaurant so you don't have to cook on your honeymoon.

Christmas lights

Cottage for Christmas and New Year

Renting a cottage for Christmas or New Year is increasingly popular - cottages for Xmas and New Year are often booked up a year or so ahead so it can be hard to find suitable accommodation if you have left it to the last minute. A holiday break at Christmas in a cosy cottage with a log fire in the English countryside is hard to beat. Spending New Year in an idyllic holiday house with a group of friends is a perfect way to see in the new year - relaxing and great fun! Many of these self-catering cottages are near towns with Christmas markets or traditional New Year celebrations. See 2019 in with friends - party together under one roof and no one has to drive home - book for New Year 2020 now! Head south for a hidden-away self-catering holidays in Devon a perfect family Christmas holiday destination.

Property rating and reviews

Stars, reviews and ratings

The English Tourist Board rates holiday cottages that apply to be under their scheme. They are graded from 1 star to 5 star cottages (with 5 star being the highest so the most luxurious cottages). Every self-catering accommodation in the scheme is inspected annually by the English Tourist Board (Visit Britain) so you can have confidence that that your holiday cottage has been thoroughly checked for quality. Five star holiday cottages have many additional touches and extras to make them a luxury cottage to rent - but cottages without the star rating can be just as luxurious - possibly better! Reviews from people who have stayed in a property can be very helpful when deciding which house to rent.

pet friendly holiday

Self-catering that welcome pets

If you want to rent a cottage which allow dogs or cats (or other pets!) then you will easily be able to see here which cottages will accept your pet. Most people with a dog or cat don't want to put them into kennels and search for a suitable holiday house which will let them bring their animal on holiday with them. A lot of self-catering accommodation take dogs (and some cats) although most don't allow pets in the bedrooms.
Use our online search facility to locate pet friendly holiday cottages in England, and take all the family on vacation! If you (or any of your family) are allergic to dog or cat hair (or any other type of animals) then you will also be able to find a holiday home which has never had an animal in it. The holiday cottages listed are clearly marked 'pet friendly' or 'no pets allowed'.

accessible holiday accommodation

Cottages with disabled access

Some English country cottages are accessible for disabled holiday-makers (or those with limited mobility), these may be single storey self-catering conversions or bungalows for rent. Larger houses may have specially adapted stair lifts, and include facilities such as a wet room, hoist, ramp, even a hot tub. If the cottage listed says it is suitable for disabled access then it is important to ask the owner directly exactly what disabled facilities the holiday home has.
There is a rating system for disabled access holiday cottages in England - Mobility 1 suitable for those who need a handrail to climb steps; Mobility 2 indicates that it is a suitable holiday cottage for those who may need a wheelchair some of the time; Mobility 3 is suitable for those who use a wheelchair all the time; Mobility 4 means the holiday house is suitable for those who use a wheelchair and also need assistance to transfer from the wheelchair. If you are visually impaired or blind then there are also quality holiday cottages suitable to rent here.

Special holiday discounted rates

Special offers and discounted holidays

From time to time some cottage owners offer discounts for small groups, repeat business and out of season rentals. The weekly rental rate is often discounted for short breaks and weekend rentals during the winter months. During the summer holidays, short breaks often command the full weekly rental rate - each self catering holiday cottage has the rental rates clearly marked. Last minute bookings can sometimes get a discount, as long as there is availability.
We do recommend booking holiday cottages in advance especially during the school half term dates, Christmas, Easter and summer holidays - latest prices for self catering getaways are published on-line offering great value to travellers looking for a holiday that won't break the bank! Tourists and visitors to England will note our peak British holiday season is during the summer (June - September) and around the festive holidays at Easter and Christmas. Don't miss out - Special offers (reductions) are often available to book for a limited time only!