My Favourite UK Getaways This Year: The Cottage Stays I’d Recommend to Anyone
There’s something about a UK cottage getaway that hits a different part of the soul. Maybe it’s the slower mornings, maybe it’s the smug joy of finding a place that feels like your secret spot. But this past year, I made a point of exploring as many corners of the country as I could. And honestly? It turned out to be one of the best things I’ve done for my sanity.
Below are a few of the cottage stays that genuinely stuck with me. The ones I still catch myself daydreaming about when I should probably be doing something productive. I’ve left space for you to check them out too, along with a few photos that show them off better than words ever could.
1. The Cottage That Made Me Fall Back in Love With Slow Mornings (Yorkshire Dales Cottage Stay)
The cozy kitchen in Castle Cottage, Yorkshire Dales
This was the first trip of my “year of exploring,” and it set the tone perfectly: Castle Hill Cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. I remember waking up on the first morning, opening the kitchen door to make a cup of tea and just… listening. Nothing but birdsong and the faint rustle of trees (and the kids watching TV)!
The cottage itself had that perfect blend of cosy-but-not-cluttered. A real wood burner (I will fight anyone who claims a fake electric one is “basically the same thing”), a proper big kitchen table, and windows that pulled in more daylight than I thought possible in the UK.
I stayed here for three nights and left feeling like I’d somehow taken a full week off. We did lots a walking and explored the adorable little village as well as making a delicious fresh fish pie which my family LOVED! The Yorkshire Dales is jam-packed with walks and activities so have a hunt to find the perfectly located spot to enjoy them.
Homemade fish pie which my family devoured – including the picky 9 year old!
2. The One With the View I’m Still Bragging About (Cornwall Cottage With a View)
Marazion Attic in Marazion, Cornwall, UK
Marazion Attic with its wonderful views of St Ives. Bliss to wake up to!
You know when you arrive somewhere, drop your bags, look out the window and immediately go “Wowsers”?! This was that cottage.
The whole place felt designed around its view. Like it knew it was the main selling point and fully leaned into it. Sunsets were ridiculous. Morning coffee tasted like it had been upgraded to a luxury experience purely because of the scenery.
I planned to spend my time here doing long walks and being very outdoorsy. Instead, I spent an embarrassing amount of time sitting on the terrace with a book, pretending that counted. I also loved sharing a chat over breakfast while sitting up at the bar.
There is so much to do during the days including exploring the local beaches, walking, taking in some art or water sports. Have a look on the Visit Cornwall website to plan your days out.
3. The Cosy Hideaway I Booked on a Whim (Cotswolds Barn Cottage)
The stunning property of Pudding Hill Cottage Barn with outside space and quality finishes inside
This one was a total impulse. I wasn’t planning a trip, I wasn’t stressed, I wasn’t escaping anything. I just saw it online one evening and thought, why not? Sometimes those are the best decisions.
Everything about it felt warm and intentionally simple. A snug sitting room, thick blankets, the sort of lighting that makes you feel 15% more attractive, and a little reading nook that practically bullied me into finishing the book I’d been avoidiung for months.
If I could teleport back there right now, I would. The fields at the back of the property were perfect for rambling in the late afternoons and my kids loved to play hide and seek in outside space. It was pure magic and had a really special feel. To be honest, it took me a while to choose the property because there are so many that look wonderful in the Cotswolds. Check it out for yourself, here!
4. The Cottage That Made Me a Countryside Convert (Kent Countryside Cottage)
Jasmine near Iden in Kent. Game, set and match!
Before staying here, I’d always thought of myself as someone who needed to be near the sea. Then this place came along and said, “Actually, no—you’re going to love rolling fields, farm tracks, and dramatic skies now.” And apparently I do.
This spot made countryside walking feel magical, not muddy. I spent my days wandering footpaths and evenings tucked into the comfiest sofa I’ve ever met.
It’s the cottage I recommend to anyone who wants a proper reboot as its warm, even if its cold outside and boasts a tennis court for those that like to hit a ball every now and then.
Final Thoughts…
If you’re anything like me, you know that picking the right cottage can make or break a trip. These places genuinely shaped my year, each one in a slightly different way. I hope one of them becomes your next fave too.
Feel free to explore the links, have a browse, and imagine yourself in any one of these peaceful little pockets of the UK. And if you do end up visiting one of them, let me know because I love hearing about other people’s perfect cottage moments.
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By Sarah Charlton, Explorer in Chief x
Sarah@holidaycottage.com
Sarah@HolidayCottage.com