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.

  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Wheelhouse Cottage is an authentic Yorkshire cottage near Pickering. It has a four-poster bed, beamed ceilings, and a traditional fireplace. The award-winning property at Keld Head Cottages boasts a stone façade, beautiful views, extensive gardens, and children's indoor and outdoor play areas.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Escape to a large Shropshire holiday cottage with a swimming pool. The whole family will love William’s Hayloft. Set on a vast property, the pet-friendly cottage in Alkington promises fresh air and facilities such as woodland, an indoor swimming pool, a multi-sports court and a children’s play area, plus a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
exmoor barn conversion overlooks a shrub-filled garden and drive.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Bilbrook apartment is one of 12 Holiday Cottages at Duddings. Sleeps 3 in 2 bedrooms. It is set in the rural Avill valley in Somerset near Dunster & Minehead within The Exmoor National Park. Indoor pool, spa bath, tennis court, games room, trampoline. Families & dogs are welcome. Visit-England 4-star.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Set amidst the splendour of Exmoor National Park in the beautiful Avill Valley, Bossington Cottage near the medieval village of Dunster, Somerset, is part of a nine-acre complex of countryside cottages, a pet-friendly family holiday retreat with two first-floor bedrooms and shared indoor pool.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large timber lodge with a spacious deck overlooking an equally spacious, secure lawn.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

This is a fantastic, recently-built holiday home near Carbis Bay that is detached and has a reverse-level layout. It boasts five bedrooms and has been finished to an exceptional standard, with stylish and spacious accommodation. The property is situated in a slightly elevated location, offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline from the front. On a clear day, you can see all the way up the coast to Godrevy Lighthouse and even as far as St Agnes Head.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A stone-built, 2-storey courtyard cottage with foxgloves flowering in its garden.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Cherry Cottage near Slapton Sands in South Devon was built at Buckland Court in 2001. This large rural holiday cottage sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms. It is furnished to a high standard, including Wi-Fi. Central heating and modern insulation ensure this cottage is ideal for off-season use. Pets welcome

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior and front garden of a stone-built Dorset holiday cottage with outdoor dining furniture on its terrace.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Chideock Cottage is a well-equipped holiday cottage which is available all-year-round. Situated in the village of Chideock with stunning views of the hills and just a 20 minute walk to the beach at Seatown. There is a lovely foodie pub just over the road, too!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stout wooden door in an ivy-clad stone-built porch surrounded by shrubs and flowers.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Cleeve apartment is one of twelve 4-star Holiday Cottages at Duddings Cottages near Dunster. The twin-bedroom Exmoor holiday home for couples is set in the beautiful valley of the River Avill in the Exmoor National Park. Communal facilities include an indoor pool, spa bath, tennis court, games room, trampoline, etc. Families and dogs are most welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey house with a central clocktower and a long 1st-floor deck overlooking a spacious lawn.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

2-bedroom self-catering apartments for smaller families or couples at the Clippesby Hall family holiday park in Norfolk. Guests benefit from balcony views over the Old Walled Garden and enjoy a communal indoor heated swimming pool.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey, wooden A-Frame eco lodge surrounded by oprn countryside
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Comraich, which means sanctuary and protection in Gaelic, is a cozy and fully equipped wooden holiday home that can accommodate up to six people. It offers all the necessary amenities for a family to enjoy a self-catering stay. It is located on a remote rural hillside behind the village of Kilchoan and boasts stunning sea views over to the Isle of Mull. Pets are welcome to join the guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of Culls Cottage holiday home at night
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Culls Cottage is a 5-star Cotswold holiday cottage. This Grade II listed luxury eco-cottage is located in Southrop, an unspoilt Cotswold village near historic Lechlade-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. This beautifully furnished, child-friendly stone cottage sleeps six guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stout North Devon farm cottage overlooking a garden.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Duck Cottage is a large luxury barn conversion in North Devon, nestling in a quiet corner of Little Torrington. The rural cottage boasts commanding views over its generous gardens and woodlands. It features an open fire, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a library, a games room and access to farm animals.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 78
  • Bedrooms 39

Large Thatched Somerset Longhouse and eleven attractive cottages sleeping 2,2,3,4,4,4,4,5,10/12,12, 16/18 in 1-8 bedrooms near Dunster and Minehead in The Exmoor National Park. Facilities at Duddings Country Cottages include:

* Indoor pool

* spa bath

* games room

* tennis court

* trampoline

* play centre

* families and dogs welcome.

* VisitEngland 4-star.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A secluded holiday bungalow surrounded by lawns in the Scottish countryside.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Eilean Feoir is a detached and well-equipped Scottish holiday cottage by the beach in the stunning West Coast village of Portuairk in Argyll; tastefully decorated, bright and spacious, it's a perfect rural cottage for a seaside family holiday. The well-equipped, detached holiday home welcomes pets.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large mock Tudor house with 1st floor balcony.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 9

Fairlea Grange is a superb, large, and comfortable Victorian townhouse in Abergavenny, sleeping up to 24 guests. It is in a perfect location for exploring the Brecon Beacons and the Welsh Marches. Facilities in this dog-friendly holiday home include a huge Home TV Lounge, Games Room, Hot Tub and Mini-gym.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday 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.