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.

Exterior of a 2-storey coach house conversion with covered porch and garden lawn
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Grampian is an attractive, newly refurbished large country cottage with a pool located at the heart of Clippesby Hall Family Holiday Park near the Norfolk coast. With a cool, contemporary feel and a wonderful sense of space, you can relax and unwind as soon as you arrive. Pets are welcome. It sleeps 8.

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A footpath flanked by privet hedges leads to a stone-built holiday cottage with a covered porch.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Greenwich Cottage is a stylish, home-from-home character cottage in the West Dorset village of Chideock on the Jurassic Coast. It sleeps up to 3 and is perfect for a romantic or small family getaway within walking distance to 3 excellent pubs and the beach at Seatown.

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A large lawn with apple trees has a row of farm cottages in the background.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Hen Cottage is a delightful holiday cottage located in the beautiful rural area of North Devon. Stunning grounds surround the cottage, which offers lovely rural views of Little Torrington and the surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a heated swimming pool, a games room, and an open fire. The cottage successfully blends modern comforts with traditional charm, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for guests.

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A fenced-in outdoor pool on a lawn overlooked by a large holiday cottage.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 10

High Cloud is a large and comfortable Wye Valley Farmhouse and separate Barn in Monmouthshire with a swimming pool and hot tub. It offers self-catering holidays in a secluded countryside location—no neighbours or traffic noise, just panoramic, far-reaching rural views. Pets are welcome.

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Exterior of a 2-storey Somerset barn conversion overlookig a large courtyard with trees on its edges.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Horner apartment at Duddings Holiday Cottages in West Somerset sleeps 2 in 1 double bedroom. Situated in the rural Avill Valley near Dunster and Minehead, Horner is a cosy, pet-friendly Exmoor cottage for couples with the use of an indoor pool, tennis court, spa and games room.

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  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Keeper Cottage West stands at the most westerly point of mainland Britain, nestled below the majestic Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on the shores of Loch Linnhe, the gateway to Ben Nevis. This cosy granite, pet-friendly seaside cottage with WiFi sleeps 4 in a lovely remote rural location.

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  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Luccombe Cottage, a 4-star Exmoor holiday cottage Somerset sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms in the beautiful Avill valley near Dunster and Minehead. Indoor pool, spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, play centre etc. Families and dogs welcome.

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Exterior of a large Manor Farm Barn made of wood surrounded by a tree-filled garden.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

A splendid 18th-century barn conversion with a hot tub in an acre of gardens in the rural village of Thorndon, Suffolk, this large holiday home offers spacious living for up to 10 guests. It has a large dining room, a vast inglenook fireplace, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a well-equipped farmhouse kitchen.

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A stone-built holiday cottage with a picnic table patio overlooks a lawn.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 2

A delightful, tranquil location at Lea Hill. Seven acres of grounds and gardens with wonderful views. Dog exercise field. Up to four dogs are welcome. Plenty of places to visit. Nine miles from Dorset's fabulous Jurassic Coast.

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Open plan living area in a Peak District barn conversion.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Overbrook Holiday Barn is a large holiday cottage in Derbyshire, part of a beautiful Grade II listed 18th-century farm on the edge of the village of Flash, near Buxton, located in a quiet rural valley in the Peak District National Park. Four bedrooms sleeping 8. Wi-Fi. Pets welcome.

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2-storey gable end of a holiday apartment block with stairs and balconies.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 4

Redwood, a large coastal apartment in Croyde, sleeps ten people. It welcomes groups, including stag and hen groups, perfect for fun beach holidays at one of Devon's top award-winning beaches. Redwood is open-plan with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge, a balcony and a kitchen.

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Exterior of a large double-fronted Georgian House with bay windows and an adjoining wing.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 12

River Wye Lodge is a spacious holiday cottage in the Forest of Dean overlooking the picturesque River Wye. The cottage can accommodate up to 26 guests, and it is easily accessible. You can spend your days exploring the Forest and theWye Valley or enjoy a variety of activities on the river. Alternatively, you can relax in the cottage's hot tub, games room, or children's playground. Pets are welcome to join you on your holiday.

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far-reaching view of boating marinas on the Dart Estuary
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Rose Cottage in South Devon, sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms with truly spectacular panoramic views over the Dart Esturary Darthaven Marina, the Britannia Royal Naval College and upstream towards Dittisham. The stone holiday cottage was built in 1880 in a sought after position, A great, peaceful location on the English Riviera close to South Devon beaches.

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Front entrance to a contemporary barn conversion in Somerset.
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 6

Selworthy is a 4-Star Gold West Somerset Holiday Cottage sleeping 11 in 6 bedrooms. This large, dog-friendly cottage is on a small country estate in an Exmoor valley near Dunster and Minehead. Facilities include an indoor pool, hot tub, games room, tennis court, trampoline and play centre.

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A row of two terraced holiday cottages in North Devon
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Stag Cottage is a lovely farm cottage with a swimming pool and games room resting in a quiet corner of Little Torrington. The rural North Devon holiday cottage boasts a garden and woodland views and treats guests to experiences with farm animals.

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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.