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.

A large, thatched, wisteria-clad Somerset holiday cottage with a covered porch.
The West Wing
Dunster
Somerset
England
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

The West Wing forms the greater part of a traditionally built thatched Somerset Longhouse. It sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms and is one of 12 holiday cottages at Duddings, near Dunster & Minehead in The Exmoor National Park. Indoor pool, tennis court. Spa bath. Families & dogs are welcome. Visit England 4-star

View Property Book Now
  • 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
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
North Devon coastal cottages exteriors.
Weavers
Barnstaple
Devon
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Weavers Cottage, sleeping up to four, is one of seven dog-friendly North Devon holiday cottages at semi-rural Muddlebridge House near Barnstaple. It features an indoor swimming pool and a two-acre garden. It is within easy reach for excellent sandy beaches, cycling on the nearby Tarka Trail, walks on Exmoor, fishing and golf.

View Property Book Now
  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of a rural holiday cottage in Somerset is ivy-clad and overlooks a small front garden and a spacious courtyard.
Winsford Cottage
Timberscombe
Somerset
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Winsford is a pet and family-friendly Exmoor holiday cottage that sleeps four at Duddings Country Cottages, a small rural complex in the idyllic Avill Valley near Dunster in West Somerset. Its superb facilities include an indoor pool, play centre, spa, tennis court, trampoline and games room.

View Property Book Now
  • 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
with a large barn converted into a row of rural holiday cottages to a courtyard
Withycombe
Timberscombe
Somerset
England
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Withycombe is one of 12 4-Star Exmoor Holiday Cottages at Duddings & sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. It is set in the beautiful Avill valley in the Exmoor National Park, near Dunster & Minehead. Indoor pool & spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, play centre etc. Families & dogs are very welcome.

View Property Book Now
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of an Exmoor river valley overlooked by village cottages.
Withymead Cottage
Withypool
Somerset
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Withymead Cottage is an Exmoor holiday cottage in Withypool in the heart of the National Park. The single-storey cottage overlooks and leads down to the River Barle through mature landscaped gardens offering fabulous moorland views, often with the world-famous Exmoor ponies and deer grazing.

View Property Book Now
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

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.