An New England style wooden holiday lodge. In th foreground are sloping fields while behind the lodge is a wood. Woodbell Lodge Near Halstead in Essex.

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in Essex

To discover this sunny (and that's official) corner of south-east England, rent an Essex holiday cottage to see this land, bounded by the North Sea and Thames Estuary. Essex shares its ancient Anglo-Saxon origins between ancient woodlands, pastoral farmlands and busy estuaries. From the decorative Byzantine frescoes of Copford Church and Layer Marney Tower, which has the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England, Colchester, the earliest Roman settlement in Britain, to the busy port of Harwich, gateway to Europe, and Stansted airport, Essex has seen it all. Forest walks, rides and glades for picnics, and a lake are all to be enjoyed in Hatfield Forest. Visit Audley End House and admire the Adam-design Tea House Bridge and Finchingfield, an authentic chocolate-box village - so don't forget your camera. Real history can still be seen at the medieval bridge in Pleshey, a village which existed long before the Normans arrived.

Large Victorian Manor House with two turreted wings overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
10

Manor House, located on Osea Island, offers a remarkable escape. Accessible via a Roman tidal causeway, this exclusive Essex holiday cottage is an extraordinary retreat. Explore a range of activities, including an outdoor pool, saltwater lido, tennis court, cinema, and 4.5 miles of coastline. The grand Edwardian house boasts ten bedrooms, most with four-poster beds and en-suite bathrooms. It's an ideal celebration venue, with reception rooms, a country kitchen, and captivating water views. Book this extraordinary destination for a minimum of 2 nights, with flexible arrival days.

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Semi-detached holiday cottages on Osea Island with dormer windows in the roof and French windows, overlooking a large lawn
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Orange Blossom is a tranquil duplex apartment at the heart of Osea Island. With beaches, coastal trails, and activities a short walk away, this idyllic property offers a stylish, bohemian retreat for couples, families, or friends. It boasts three bedrooms, a charming garden, and shared access to Osea Island's wealth of facilities, including an outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and more. Enjoy the serene surroundings, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the seasonal charms of The Shack and The Puffin Pub.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

One Manor Beach Cottage is a picturesque, four-bedroom Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island. Nestled by the shingle beach, this spacious coastal retreat provides tranquil, family-friendly accommodations. Unwind in the cosy living spaces with an original wood-burning stove. The cottage is just steps from the water's edge, offering splendid sea views. Enjoy communal facilities, such as an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, cinema room, games room, and more—a remarkable place for special celebrations or family vacations.

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An L-shaped, wood-panelled Essex holiday bungalow with a wooden deck containing a table and sunlounger all overlooking a large lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

East Village No.2 is a luxurious coastal retreat located on Osea Island in Essex. This ground-floor gem is perfect for families or groups, featuring an open-plan living area that is ideal for gatherings. With two stylish bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, it can accommodate up to 5 guests. The garden is a lovely spot to enjoy, complete with a fire pit and BBQ. Osea Island offers a private beach, outdoor pool, cinema, and more, making it a unique getaway. East Village No.2 is the perfect escape for celebrations or a family break.

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Gable end of an Essex holiday apartment with large balcony and flanked by horse chestnut trees.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway? Look no further than The Penthouse, a stunning Essex holiday cottage located on the peaceful Osea Island. This centrally located retreat offers easy access to a private beach, a saltwater lido, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. With a spacious lounge, a well-equipped kitchen, and two comfortable bedrooms, you'll have everything you need to unwind and enjoy your stay. Plus, the master bedroom boasts an en suite with a roll-top bath for the ultimate indulgence. Communal amenities such as a cinema room, gym, and games room are also available for your enjoyment. Whether you're planning a special celebration or a family getaway, The Penthouse is the perfect choice. Don't miss out - discover more about this exquisite island escape today!

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On the edge of a mature wood, a timber-frame lodge with a spacious deck overlooks an open field.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Brook Lodge is a charming and romantic cottage on 500 acres of Wakes Hall Farm in Essex. This pet-friendly, comfortable cottage with a hot tub for couples is located by a small lake amidst beautiful woodland and tranquillity. The cottage is eco-friendly and sophisticated. It features an enclosed garden and deck to enjoy the stunning rural views. 

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Chapel House Two, a luxurious Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, offers access to a private beach, a saltwater lido, and an outdoor heated pool. This charming waterside cottage with elegant decor features a cosy lounge, a well-equipped kitchen, and a mezzanine area with a sofa bed. Enjoy ample outdoor seating, a barbecue, and a fire pit. Explore the island's communal facilities, including a tennis court, a cinema room, and a seasonal island pub—an ideal escape for families and special celebrations, just 90 minutes (but light-years away) from London.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Discover the secluded luxury of Chapel House One, an Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, surrounded by the Blackwater Estuary. Revel in the exclusive tidal island, a 90-minute escape from London, with private beaches, an outdoor pool, tennis court, cinema room, games room, and more. This dog-friendly waterside cottage offers flexible accommodation, ideal for family get-togethers—Book Chapel House One for a unique, beautiful getaway with stylish living areas and mezzanine space. Explore the island, visit The Puffin Pub, and enjoy EV charging facilities.

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A water tower converted to a holiday home overlooks woods and fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Tower is a rural cottage that has won several awards for its unique construction and sweeping countryside views. Located near Latchingdon in Essex, this circular building has beautifully combined its original utilitarian architecture from the 1930s with modern sophistication, including a large balcony and spacious open areas.

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While known by many outside of the County as the bustling area with wild nightlife and extravagant characters due to certain popular TV shows, Essex itself is a beautiful place steeped in culture and fascinating history. Essex offers its visitors more than 350 miles of coastline, ancient market towns, traditional villages and tiny hamlets nestled within the County’s rolling countryside hills. There are many delightful holiday cottages along the coast and further inland from which visitors will find plenty to see and do during a holiday in this fine and sunny County in the South East of England.

Essex is also known as the ‘sunshine county’, with the Victorian village of St Osyth being recorded as the driest place in the UK. Its excellent location links to Europe’s most desirable locations, such as the City of London and Cambridge. If you’re looking for something completely different, why not hop on the ferry at Harwich to spend a night or two in Germany and the Netherlands?

Essex is one of those England counties all too often overlooked by visitors – and that’s their loss. Essex is fascinating for its culture, historical sites, shoreline, and seaside resorts. There are many attractive landmarks to discover in the area. Southend-on-Sea is a great place to start, with its Pier, the longest in the world – you’ll need to take the train to get to the end! Essex also has some beautiful castles, including Colchester Castle, the largest Norman Keep in Europe.

The town of Colchester itself is known to be the oldest in Britain. Still, it also has some outstanding contemporary buildings, such as ‘Firstsite’, a contemporary visual arts building with lots of exhibitions, a café and a local arts & crafts shop. Even if contemporary art isn’t your thing, the building is worth visiting due to its fascinating and modern architecture that juxtaposes nicely with the nearby Victorian buildings.

There’s an abundance of activities to get involved in during your cottage stay in Essex. The Lee Valley White Water Centre offers one of the best places to experience white water rafting and is used by some of the Olympic kayaking team. For something a bit more relaxed, Great Notley Country Park has bike trails with links to over 15 miles of off-road walking and cycling routes. The park also has bike hire, so you don’t need to worry about bringing yours along with you.

For some retail therapy, head to High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford. It’s regarded as one of the biggest shopping centres in Essex, with over 80 stores, and one of the prettiest too, with the River Can flowing peacefully alongside it and a large open park nearby.

Being in a great position in the UK, Essex is home to some of the biggest festivals and events that run throughout the year. V Festival, hosted in Chelmsford, attracts over 180,000 each year, and with household names, it is widely regarded as one of the biggest music festivals in the UK. There are many more festivals, including Chelmsford Blues Festival, Leigh Folk Festival and Colchester Food and Drink Festival - all of which will ensure a stay in an Essex holiday cottage will be anything but dull.