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.

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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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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A timbered eco-lodge sits in front of mature woods overlooking open fields
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to the countryside and experience an enchanting holiday at Woodbell Lodge. This luxurious cottage is one of five detached properties located on the beautiful Wakes Hall Estate, near the village of Wakes Colne in Essex. The property is pet-friendly and features a veranda, hot tub, two en-suite bedrooms, and modern eco-technology.

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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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A timber-framed holiday cottage on Osea Island with two sun-loungers on its lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Sweet Shop, a charming cottage on Osea Island, is perfect for couples seeking a tranquil getaway. This bijou retreat in the island's village area offers an open living and bedroom space, a well-equipped kitchen, and a shower room. Guests enjoy access to private beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor heated pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, a gym, and four event spaces. The island's communal facilities include a pool, tennis court, The Shack, free bicycles, a lido pool, a cinema and more. Bring up to two dogs for a weekly fee of £30 each. Short breaks are available.

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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

Introducing The Chase, a charming cottage situated on the tranquil Osea Island. This elegant retreat in Essex features a cosy lounge area with a log burner, spacious bedrooms, and three well-appointed bathrooms. Whether you're looking for quality time with family or some peaceful moments to yourself, this cottage offers the perfect ambience. With its four-poster beds and roll-top baths, you are guaranteed a comfortable stay. During summer, you can relax in the private garden with a fire pit and barbecue. Osea Island provides a range of private amenities, including beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, and much more. So, come to Osea Island and experience your ideal seaside getaway.

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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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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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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.