Weekend and Short-Break Cottages

Browse self-catering cottages for a weekend away, a midweek escape or another short stay. Use the filters to find a cottage by destination, group size and the features that matter to you.

The length of a short break, the minimum stay and permitted arrival days can vary between properties and dates. Check the individual cottage details before booking, particularly for school holidays, bank holidays and peak-season stays.

Exterrior of an eco lodge with a  covered deck and hot-tub.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

A luxury lodge in the peaceful Devon countryside outside Exeter. With a huge wooden deck and sunken hot tub, this home has two en-suite bedrooms and a log burner in the spacious living room. Within just a short drive of Exeter, you can enjoy the city's vibrancy and the quiet of a lakeside setting.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
  • Sleeps 16
  • Bedrooms 7

Winster Hall is a Peak District beauty: A former 17th-Century coaching inn, the large Grade II listed, pet-friendly holiday home now welcomes guests on a self-catering basis, sleeping 16 in 7 bedrooms in the rural conservation village of Winster in the Derbyshire Dales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Wisteria Cottage is a thoroughly modern detached cottage in an ideal location in Exmouth. The romantic cottage boasts spacious rooms and a lovely patio, plus views of the Exe estuary, allowing couples to relax and unwind after fun-filled days exploring the East Devon coast and countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
1st floor exterior of a stone-built Kendal holiday cottage.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

In the Lake District charming town of Kendal, you’ll find this romantic cottage built for two nestled down a short alley just a few hundred yards from the surrounding town centre. With so much to offer in all seasons, you’ll fall in love with Wood Cottage in Cumbria.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Escape to a serene getaway at Woodland Retreat Shepherd's Hut - a beautiful wooden-clad and romantic cottage situated among a forest in Brundish, Suffolk. You can snuggle up in the comfortable and modern space, unwind on the deck, and explore the lush woodland before ending the day around the outdoor fire pit. If you have a horse, you're also welcome to bring it along to enjoy this peaceful rural retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Woodpecker Cottage is a masterful barn conversion which blends urban sophistication with rural charm. The romantic holiday cottage in Ludlow, surrounded by woodland and a stream, offers couples a lovely garden, luxury furnishings, exposed stone walls, serenity, and access to Herefordshire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A garden table with a parasol sits outside a stone-built barn conversion in Cumbria.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Onsite owners greet you with a welcome package, just the first of many outstanding touches you’ll find with a stay at Woodside Barn, a remote, child-friendly holiday cottage in the secluded hamlet of Pennington on the Cumbrian coast near Ulverston and the Lake District. Sleeps 4.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built Dartmoor holiday cottage tucked into a fold in the surrounding Devon countryside
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Woodstone Barn: A Spacious Dartmoor Holiday Cottage for Eight in Devon

Resting on a gentle slope above the West Devon Way, Woodstone offers a serene rural retreat just one and a half miles from the majestic Dartmoor National Park. With the capacity to comfortably accommodate eight guests, Woodstone Barn is the ideal large holiday home in Devon for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Front exterior of a modern house with stone steps to the 1st floor overlooking a lawn
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Wootton Gray enjoys enviable ocean views from many vantage points and sits just moments from the beaches and attractions in West Cornwall. The sophisticated Mousehole holiday home offers light and airy spaces, a furnished lawned garden, contemporary design features and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built Cumbrian farmhouse and attached barns in a remote moorland location
  • Sleeps 7
  • Bedrooms 3

Step back in time at the authentic stone remote cottage of Wray Green, which sits atop Wild Boar Fell in Cumbria. Sink into the comfort of the lovingly restored and furnished three-bedroom cottage. Pets are welcome. There is ample parking, plus a storage area for hiking and cycling gear. Sleeps 7.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Ulleswater holiday cottage with a full length balcony and front terrace.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Wreay Mansions is a luxurious rural cottage in Watermillock with impressive views of Lake Ullswater and the hills of Cumbria. The former hunting lodge offers refinement and elegance and boasts a 30’ furnished balcony, a lawned garden, fresh air, contemporary comforts and the chance to escape in style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
The exterior of a brick-built Dorset bungalow is surrounded by lawns, shrubs, and mature trees.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Wyndthorpe Cottage is a charming rural dwelling located in the idyllic village of Milton Abbas. The cottage boasts a beautiful mature garden, which is fully furnished and offers picturesque views of the Dorset countryside. Inside, the cottage is designed with modern comforts in mind, featuring a sophisticated open-plan layout that is flooded with natural light.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A double-fronted Pembrokeshire holiday cottage overlooks a quiet lane.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

The charming, coastal cottage of Y Bwthyn sits in the heart of St. Davids, the smallest city in Wales. This spacious Pembrokeshire holiday cottage is both child-friendly and dog-friendly.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A slate-roofed, stone holiday cottage in Powys nestles beneath a step hill toppped with a wood.
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 5

The character and location of Y Sgubor are delightful. The large rural holiday home in Mid Wales is situated near Llangynog with superb views of Pennant Valley, charming décor, modern fittings, an outdoor hot tub, a sun-trap patio, an open fire and five thoughtfully decorated bedrooms. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

Find a short break that fits your plans

A cottage short break can suit many different plans: a weekend away with friends, a quieter midweek stay, a couple’s escape or a family break without taking a full week off. Some properties may offer a choice of short stays, while others have fixed arrival days or longer minimum stays at busy times.

Start with the dates you have in mind, then check the stay length and booking conditions for each cottage. If your plans are flexible, trying a midweek arrival or a different weekend may give you more choice.

What to check before booking a short-break cottage

  • Minimum stay: Not every cottage is available for two nights or a three-night weekend.
  • Arrival and departure days: A Friday-to-Monday stay may be possible at some properties, while others may offer different changeover days.
  • Date availability: Short breaks can be restricted during school holidays, bank holidays and popular seasonal dates.
  • Price for your chosen stay: Compare the total cost for your dates, including any optional extras or property-specific charges.
  • Travel time: For a short stay, a manageable journey can make a real difference to how much time you have to enjoy the break.
  • Property rules: Check pet arrangements, group rules and accessibility information before confirming your booking.

Ideas for a weekend cottage break

A short stay can be tailored around the kind of time away you want. Browse cottages for couples for a romantic break, dog-friendly cottages if your dog is coming too, or cottages with hot tubs for a more relaxing weekend.

For a change of scenery, explore coastal holiday cottages, walking holidays or waterside cottages. If you are travelling without a car, see our holiday cottages accessible by train.

Frequently asked questions

No. The minimum stay varies by property, season and date. Check the booking details for the cottage and dates you want before making plans.

Some cottages may allow Friday arrivals and Monday departures, but this is not universal. Check the available arrival days and minimum stay for the individual property.

No. A short break describes the length of the stay. A last-minute holiday usually relates to a near-term arrival date and may or may not involve an offer.

Not always. Prices depend on the property, season, demand and length of stay. Check the total price for your chosen dates rather than assuming a midweek break will cost less.

Many properties welcome dogs, but the number allowed, any charges and the property rules vary. Use our dog-friendly cottages collection and check each listing before booking.