10 Airbnb cottages in the UK for a cosy weekend away
Ever since that cottage from The Holiday burst onto our screens and took over our Christmases, there has been a charm to these historic buildings that we can't get enough of. Up and down the UK, there are cottages galore to stay in but some are certainly better than others. These are the best cottages to book on Airbnb now, from thatched roof idylls to stone delights.
May we suggest: How to get the look of a classic English country cottage
For more Airbnb ideas, see our guides on:
1/10North Bovey, Devon
If you like your cottage interiors neutral and soothing, with accents from wooden beams, flagstone floors and original stones, this one, featured as one of our favourite Airbnbs in Devon, is the one to book. It's cosy and clean, with a light and airy feeling from the white scheme inside. The furniture is a well chosen mix of antique and new, with some textiles thrown in for comfort.
Guests say: "This was our second stay at Moorland View, this time with our five month old baby, and it could not have been lovelier. Suzy has exquisite taste and a fabulous eye for detail. Everything has its place and it’s a very restful place to be. We loved the membership of Bovey Castle and the local pub was great."
Sleeps: Four
From: £242 per night
2/10North Cotswolds
This Arts and Crafts era cottage near Moreton-in-Marsh has all the amenities you'd need for a cosy weekend away in the Cotswolds. Think: a roaring fireplace in the living room, king-size mattresses with plush bedding in the bedrooms and underfloor heating for brisk winter mornings in the recently refurbished bathroom. For folks looking to head outdoors, the private garden takes you to public footpaths surrounded by picturesque villages and rolling countryside.
Guest say: “We had a very enjoyable couple of days in this lovely property in a picturesque and quiet setting. Everything was as described and it was great to be in close proximity to a number of Cotswold attractions. We would have no hesitation in recommending it.”
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £180 a nightMay we suggest: An interior designer’s perfect chocolate-box cottage in the Cotswolds
3/10Henley, Surrey
Plum Cottage is a delightful idyll in a lovely part of Surrey, with easy access to the country walks galore. Inside, it has charming interiors; think Christopher Farr cloth wallpaper, green panelling and linen fabrics. It's truly lovely and makes for a wonderful bolthole for a couple. The cherry on top? A sunny terrace to enjoy any good weather that the countryside offers up.
Guests say: “A fantastic little cottage in a tranquil setting. As per the other reviews, we were blown away by the level of detail with Plum Cottage. The furnishings, the smell, the facilities. It was bigger than expected, yet still cosy for two. It was a huge treat to have a pub just up the road and we enjoyed a walk around Cowdray Park and lunch at the Hollist Arms. But mainly it was lovely to stand with a coffee in the garden, have a long soak or sit by the fire watching classic films. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and we are already trying to find a weekend to return!”
Sleeps: Two
Price: from £252 per night
4/10Great Strickland, Lake District
Fern Cottage might be charmingly old from the outside, but the interior is sleek and well renovated, with a particularly enviable forest green kitchen. The whole cottage, featured as one of our favourite Airbnbs in the Lake District, is a truly lovely example of modern cottage style that looks so inviting. What's more, it's very close to a local pub and lots of great walking paths before you return home and cosy up to the fire.
Guests say: “A magical cottage, precisely as described. Immaculately presented and spotlessly clean. Cannot recommend enough.”
Sleeps: Five
Price: From £263 a night
5/10Poughill, Cornwall
A 15-minute walk in land from Bude and its sandy beaches, this cottage, which is one of our favourite Airbnbs in Cornwall, is quaint and pretty from the outside, with a clean, modern interior. It sleeps four guests in kingsize and twin bedrooms, alongside two bathrooms and an airy living room with adjoining kitchen-dining room. At the front of the picturesque property, there's a south-facing terrace for soaking up the sun and firing up the BBQ.
Guests say: “My family and I had a fabulous stay. The cottage was stylish and cosy and felt like home for a week. The beds were ridiculously comfortable and the shower was superb! Would highly recommend”
Sleeps: Four
From: £105 per night
6/10Lavenham, Suffolk
If you're going to book a cottage, you might as well make sure it's listed to ensure as much character as possible. Luckily, this two bedroom cottage in Suffolk is, and features characterful period details throughout, coupled with modern touches to make it comfortable and workable for 2022. For a cottage, it's very generous in terms of size and space, making it a good place for families or small group holidays.
Guests say: “A beautifully decorated and very comfortable cottage well located in the delightful town of Lavenham. A lovely place to spend some time, apart from being a great cottage it is incredibly well equipped. So many nice touches, for example two types of coffee maker (essential for coffee lovers), a great range of books, a nice welcome basket and even yoga mats! This was our first Airbnb experience and I suspect it might be hard to beat this cottage. Highly recommended.”
Sleeps: 4
Price: from £134 per night
Airbnb7/10Furnace, Scotland
This cottage, featured as one of our best Airbnbs in Scotland, is how to do a rustic retreat in style. Looking out over Loch Fyne – the views are best enjoyed from the outdoor hot tub, terrace or roll top bath – Ploughman’s Cottage has sympathetic interiors that give a country feel but ample space, with a vast bedroom and bathroom, as well as generous living spaces. It’s a real find.
Guests say: “It's impossible not to relax here. A glass of fizz on the back porch as the sun goes down, chill out in the outdoor hot tub by fairy light, by the cosy fire or in the fab roll top bath with nature views. A little slice of heaven. It's so quiet, just bliss. A 15 minute drive to Inveraray means you can easily get any supplies you need (and Fyne Fish and Chips are a must!).”
Sleeps: Two
From: £225 per night
AirBnB8/10St Davids, Wales
Who can resist a thatched cottage for a British holiday? Especially one with such good access to Pembrokeshire's lovely beaches and a welcoming atmosphere complete with a cream Aga like this one featured as one of our favourite Airbnbs in Wales. This whitewashed cottage is in a sleepy location, surrounded by Wales' rugged beauty to explore before cosying up back in this rustic home.
Guests say: “Ty To was the perfect stay for me and my family. The cottage itself was incredibly beautiful, clean and very peaceful. Communication and check in were a breeze and the cottage had everything we could have needed. The bed was so comfy it was a shame the children didn't let me sleep in it longer! The swing outside was a huge hit for our 5 year old who spent most of her time on it. One of the great things about Ty To was we were able to visit the coast on foot from the house with no need to drive.”
Sleeps: Four
Price: £98 a night
9/10Marhamchurch, Cornwall
This secluded holiday home sits amongst two-hundred-year-old oak trees in the Cornish countryside. The coastal town of Bude is an hour’s walk down a beautiful canal for those looking to stretch their legs, but you can happily spend a weekend in the cosy cottage too. Inside, there's a cosy open-fire in the living room and a roll-top bathtub in the bathroom. Outside, guests can spend their evening sipping wine on the rocking chairs on the private patio or having a soak in the spacious hot tub.
Guests say: “What an amazing hidden gem! We stayed in the moonshine shack and it exceeded all our expectations and then some. The pictures don't do it justice. The attention to detail is sublime and the furnishes throughout are fantastic. We spent a long weekend for our honeymoon and it's safe to say my husband and I will be coming back to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Jan and Chris were fantastic with keeping us updated and are fabulous hosts. What a stunning little paradise they have out in the sticks of Marhamchurch."
Sleeps: Two
Price: From £227 a night
10/10Castletown, Dorset
It's hard to find a better spot to enjoy sunsets on Chesil Beach than from the back terrace of this airy cottage on the Devon coast. It's a classic cottage, with low wooden doors, beams, original fireplaces and bags of character, but treated with a sympathetic modern touch that has lightened, brightened and extended the space. There's even a sauna for an added bonus extra that you probably weren't expecting.
Guests say: “Gorgeous cottage right by the sea - lots of beautiful touches that made the house feel cosy and comfortable. Absolutely beautiful back patio that looks over the sea. Couldn’t recommend enough!”
Sleeps: two
Price: £158 per night
