A New England style wooden holiday lodge. In the foreground are sloping fields while behind the lodge is a wood. Self Catering Holiday Accommodation 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.

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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A clapperboard thatched holiday cottage in Essex with brick chimney stacks is surrounded by a garden and mature trees
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Raindrops on Roses is a gorgeous 700-year-old thatched cottage surrounded by countryside near Hatfield Forest. The cottage is perfect for outdoor rural walks and boasts expansive gardens with wonderful views, traditional features such as beams, and a cosy log fire.

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A single storey eco-lodge surrounded by a deck and open fields.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Championship golf courses and spa treatments beckon at Ramson Lodge, a contemporary cottage near the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Suffolk. Walks and fresh air also await at the surrounding Constable County Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while lovely views are promised at the cottage.

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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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A wooden 2-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden, shaded by tall trees with four sun lounger on the grass.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

"The Limes" is a charming Island holiday cottage located on private Osea Island on the enchanting Essex Coast. It is perfect for a cosy and inviting escape for up to five guests. The cottage features a warm lounge with garden access, two spacious double rooms, and an additional single room. It also boasts a well-equipped kitchen, two elegant bathrooms with roll-top baths, and a private garden. Osea Island is a private island that offers a lot of attractions, including a private beach, saltwater lido, outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and 4.5 miles of coastline to explore with bikes. If you're looking for a tranquil getaway, "The Limes" is the perfect place to discover and start planning your next seaside escapade.

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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.