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.

3-Storey wood and glass contemporary rural holiday home
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Pearmain is a contemporary cottage surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Constable County, Suffolk, close to the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa. Treat yourself to a spa treatment, round of golf, swim or soak in the hot tub, and relax in a stylish cottage with delightful views.

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

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Large holiday bungalow on Ocea Island with picnic tables. Sleeps 8. Pets welcome.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

One Manor Beach Cottage on Osea Island is a luxurious Essex holiday cottage by the shingle beach, just 90 minutes from London. This remarkable coastal retreat offers private beaches, an outdoor pool, a saltwater lido, a cinema room, a games room, and more. The spacious cottage features four stylish bedrooms, two bathrooms with rolltop baths, and a well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy sea views and a private garden. Ideal for special celebrations and family holidays, it's pet-friendly, offers short breaks, and welcomes two dogs.

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Outdoor dining chairs cluster around a table on a tree-lined lawn on Osea Island. Behind them is a cross-timbered holiday cottage on Osea Island.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover The Chase, an enchanting cottage on the serene Osea Island. This stylish Essex retreat boasts a lovely lounge with a log burner, spacious bedrooms, and three well-appointed bathrooms. Whether you seek family togetherness or private moments, this cottage offers the perfect setting. Enjoy four-poster beds and roll-top baths, and in summer, unwind in the private garden with a fire pit and barbecue. Osea Island provides private beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, and more. Your idyllic seaside retreat awaits.

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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 from London.

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Gable end of a 3-storey period house with 2st floor balcony flanked by mature treees
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Observatory, a charming Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, offers a serene escape. This private island, reached via a tidal causeway, provides guests exclusive access to a private beach, saltwater lido, outdoor heated swimming pool, and more. The cottage features a cosy lounge, a well-equipped kitchen diner, and a private balcony with stunning island views. Two stylish bedrooms ensure a comfortable stay. With its remarkable location, it's perfect for special celebrations or family holidays.

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A single-storey holiday cottage on Osea Island overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to Essex's Osea Island at East Village No.3, a private holiday cottage. This island offers a unique experience accessible via a tidal causeway. Enjoy a private beach, saltwater lido, heated pool, tennis court, cinema, games room, and gym. No.3, located in The Village, provides easy access to the pool. Inside, stylish bedrooms and open-plan living await. Revel in island life, ideal for special occasions or family holidays. Book for a minimum of 2 nights.

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A modern single storey lodge stands in front of trees overlooking a hedge-lined field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This delightful lodge on Wakes Hall Farm is a haven of peace on 500 acres of private land. Having recently been awarded a five-star AA award, it features an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, a verandah and a hot tub. The historic town of Colchester is 40 minutes away.

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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.