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The Ultimate UK Holiday Cottage Guide: Best Cottages by Region (2026)

I get asked the same question at least once a week: “Where should we actually go?” And honestly, after years of doing this, my answer is never simple — because the UK doesn’t do “one type” of holiday cottage. It does dramatic Cornish clifftops, it does Lake District fells that make your legs regret every decision, it does Cotswolds villages so pretty they look faked, and it does at least one region where the sheep genuinely outnumber the people.

So instead of trying to talk you out of your indecision, I’ve done the opposite — I’ve pulled together everything we’ve written about every region into one map of sorts, so you can just scroll to wherever sounds like your kind of chaos (or calm). Dog in tow or not.

Jump to a region:

Cornwall

If HolidayCottage.com had a favourite child, it’s Cornwall, and we’re not even going to pretend otherwise. There’s something about that first glimpse of turquoise water against granite cliffs that makes everyone in the car go quiet for a second — right before someone asks if we’re stopping for a pasty. (Yes. Always yes.)

Commonwealth War Graves at St Ives in Cormwall

Commonwealth War Graves at St Ives in Cormwall

We’ve covered Cornwall from every angle we can think of: sea-view cottages for a proper romantic escape, dog-friendly stays for the ones who won’t leave the house without the whole family — four legs included — and budget-friendly picks for when you want the coastline without remortgaging for it. Whatever kind of Cornwall trip you’re picturing, we’ve probably already tried it and written about it.

Explore Cornwall:

Devon

Devon is what happens when Cornwall’s quieter, slightly more sensible sibling gets a coastline of its own — actually, two of them. It doesn’t shout about itself the way Cornwall does, and that’s exactly the appeal. Thatched roofs, cream teas that will start actual arguments about jam-first-or-cream-first, and a pace of life that makes you forget your phone has notifications.

Seaton, Beer Coast in Devon UK

Seaton, Beer Coast in Devon UK

Explore Devon:

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds looks like someone designed the English countryside specifically to be photographed — honey-stone cottages, village pubs with roaring fires, and hills so gently rolling they practically apologise for existing. It’s had a bit of a glow-up in the popularity stakes lately too, thanks to a certain Regency drama making everyone want to swan around in empire-line dresses. We can’t promise a Duke, but we can promise the closest thing to a film set you’ll find on a weekend break.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Explore the Cotswolds:

Wales

I’ll say something a bit controversial: Wales is the most underrated cottage destination in the whole of the UK, and I genuinely don’t understand why. Snowdonia will humble the fittest hiker among you, Pembrokeshire’s beaches rival anywhere in Europe, and the welcome — actual, physical, “come in out of the rain and have a cup of tea” warmth — is unlike anywhere else we send guests. It’s the region we recommend to first-timers who think they’ve “done the UK already.” They haven’t.

Explore Wales:

The Lake District

The Lake District will test you, in the nicest possible way. One minute you’re admiring the view from a cosy cottage window, the next you’ve been talked into a “gentle walk” that turns out to be three hours up a fell with your thighs filing a formal complaint. It’s also Beatrix Potter’s old stomping ground, so if you’re travelling with small humans who’d rather meet Peter Rabbit than climb anything, there’s plenty for them too.

Easedale Beck in the Lake District, UK

Easedale Beck in the Lake District, UK

Explore the Lake District:

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is enormous — genuinely England’s biggest county — and somehow still gets treated like a footnote next to the Cotswolds and the Lakes. That’s a mistake. Big skies, proper moorland, a coastline that nobody seems to talk about enough, and puddings the size of your head. If you like your holidays with a side of “why has nobody told me about this before,” start here.

Explore Yorkshire:

Scotland

Scotland does drama better than anywhere else in the UK — mountains that look like they mean it, lochs that turn moody at a moment’s notice, and castles around every other corner. It’s also the one region where the weather forecast is more of a gentle suggestion than a promise, so pack for all four seasons, sometimes in the same afternoon.

Explore Scotland:

Northumberland

Northumberland is England’s best-kept secret, and honestly we’re a little torn about telling you. Wild, empty coastline, some of the darkest skies in the country for stargazing, and castles so cinematic that a certain boy wizard’s film crew came calling. Fewer crowds, more atmosphere — it’s the region we send people who say they want to “properly get away from it all” and actually mean it.

Explore Northumberland:

Cottages for Every Occasion

Some of our favourite guides don’t belong to any one region at all — because sometimes the “where” matters less than the “who” (or, let’s be honest, whether there’s a hot tub).

Bubbling hot tub, UK Cottage

Bubbling hot tub, UK Cottage

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best UK region for a first cottage holiday? Cornwall and the Lake District are the easiest to fall in love with — both have a huge range of cottages, clear things to do, and strong transport links.

Which UK regions are best for dog-friendly cottages? Cornwall and the Lake District have the widest choice of dog-friendly cottages and dog-friendly beaches; see our dog-friendly guides above.

When should I book a UK holiday cottage? Popular regions like Cornwall and the Cotswolds get booked up 3–6 months ahead for summer and school holidays — the earlier the better for the best properties.

Ready to find your ultimate UK holiday cottage?

Browse thousands of properties and filter by region, guests and dates. Find Cottages →

About the author

Adam has spent more weekends than he can count chasing down the UK’s best holiday cottages — from Somerset and Devon to Cornish coves that smell permanently of pasties. When he’s not writing for HolidayCottage.com, he’s probably arguing about the correct order for a cream tea (cream first, always) or trying to convince someone that Wales doesn’t get nearly enough credit.