Small Holiday Cottages and Homes

Browse small holiday cottages and self-catering homes across the UK. This collection includes one- and two-bedroom properties for couples, friends and smaller families looking for a more compact place to stay.

Small describes the size of the property, not its style, setting or price. You may find a cottage by the coast, a rural retreat, a city apartment or a character property in a village. Use the filters to narrow your search by destination, group size and features, then check the individual listing for the bedroom layout and facilities that suit your plans.

A semi-detached Cornish cottage overlooks a block-paved courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Curlew's Cwtch offers country charm within reach of the ocean. The pet-friendly holiday cottage lies moments from the beaches of Polzeath. It boasts views of the Cornish countryside from its ample garden, a pastel palette with local art, open-plan design, picture windows and a wood-burning stove.

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  • Short Breaks
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An end-terrace stone-built Gwynedd holiday cottage with a paved, secure front patio.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 1

Rural and delightfully remote, Cwm Yr Afon Cottage is located on a sheep farm. This beautifully renovated rural cottage in the North Wales countryside is a small, romantic retreat in Snowdonia. Dog-friendly and child-friendly. Sleeps 3.

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A cosy stone-built cottage in Danby on a sunny day with a garden bench and patio.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Daffodil Cottage offers couples on self-catering holidays in North Yorkshire spectacular rural views and cosy accommodation in the remote hamlet of Houlsyke, near Danby. This romantic cottage for couples exudes warmth and character, a perfect rural retreat for weekends and walking holidays on the North York Moors.

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A cottage garden with rural views of hills and open countryside beyond a hedge.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Damson Cottage is an architecturally interesting property surrounded by countryside in Rainow. The pet-friendly barn conversion in Cheshire boasts a gorgeous garden with beautiful views and fresh air, a games room and a croquet lawn, plus a luxurious interior with a wood burner and light and airy spaces.

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  • Sleeps
  • Bedrooms 2

Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Amberley is Densford Cottage, a lovely end-terrace in the South Downs. The cosy cottage features a peaceful, enclosed garden with a patio and a light, airy interior with contemporary design features and a log fire. Enjoy the best of West Sussex.

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A stone-built,single storey holiday cottage with vine covered walls and a front garden.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Dove Cottage is a traditional 2-bedroom Lake District holiday cottage sleeping four on a 5,000-acre country estate near Hawkshead in a scenic rural spot by Lake Windermere. Guests enjoy the use of a communal indoor heated swimming pool, games room, gym, and kids' play area.

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Single storey Somerset barn conversion overlooks a large courtyard.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Downclose Piggery is a delightful former piggery with flagstone floors, exposed beams and a log fire. Farms and woodland near North Perrott in Somerset surround the rural cottage. It promises sophisticated décor, open-plan spaces, expansive gardens with walks, and a sun-trap patio.

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Exterior of a 1930s Dorset house and garden in Dorset with a large lawn
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This comfortable family cottage on a working farm near Beaminster sleeps six in two bedrooms. It has a sunny conservatory, cosy spaces, farm-fresh eggs, and an open fire. The farm lies on the borders of Dorset and Somerset, within easy reach of Beaminster and the Jurassic Coast.

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A single storey Northumberland barn conversion surrounded by a large, tree-fringed lawn
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Find peace at the gorgeous Drovers Rest stone cottage on the edge of the Northumberland National Park and close to Otterburn. This cosy and remote Northumberland holiday cottage offers tranquillity and access to outdoor pursuits, National Trust homes and Hadrian’s Wall.

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A single-storey holiday cottage on Osea Island overlooks a large lawn.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

scape to the beautiful Osea Island in Essex and stay at East Village No.3, a charming private holiday cottage. This island offers a unique experience that is accessible via a tidal causeway. You can enjoy a private beach, a saltwater lido, a heated pool, a tennis court, a cinema, a games room, and a gym. No.3 is located in The Village, which provides easy access to the pool. Inside the cottage, you can expect stylish bedrooms and open-plan living areas. Immerse yourself in island life, which is perfect for special occasions or family holidays. Please note that the minimum booking is for two nights.

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Behind a garden with mature shrubs and a lawn stands a stone-built terraced cottage.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Elderbank is a Peak District cottage for couples. The romantic Derbyshire holiday cottage lies in a quiet rural backwater in the pretty Derbyshire village of Bradwell, among many Peak District walks and attractions. It features traditional exposed beams and a spacious bedroom with a feature fireplace.

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A historic black-and-white-timbered Herefordshire barn conversion with a large lawn.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Stay in a cottage that once housed a baby elephant and enjoy self-catering holidays in the delights of the Herefordshire countryside. Elephant Cottage is a romantic and pet-friendly holiday cottage in Bromyard which boasts exposed beams, trusses, wattle and daub, an open fire and contemporary design, and a vibrant garden and rural views.

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Exterior of a small Gloucestershire cottage and adjoining stable in a garden.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Elinor Fettiplace is a rustic romantic cottage on the grounds of Elizabethan Pauntley Court. Sitting near Pauntley in Gloucestershire, it dates back to the 1300s and boasts beamed ceilings, wooden floors, and authentic rural charm. A tennis court and lakes are found on the extensive grounds.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Elk Cottage is a charming rural cottage located next to Glassonby Hall in Glassonby, Cumbria. This award-winning pet-friendly cottage accommodates up to four people and boasts a delightful terraced garden, oak floors, a well-equipped kitchen, stunning beams and stone walls, antique furnishings, and an elegant atmosphere. To add to its charm, there is also a log fire nestled in a traditional fireplace.

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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
A wooden holiday lodge in Washford overlooks a patio with a hot tub. on a terrace/
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Elm Lodge is a wood-clad cottage on a lovely property close to the coast in Washford, Somerset. The modern cottage boasts an open-plan design and contemporary style, a deck with gorgeous views, a hot tub, an inviting interior with an open fire, exposed beams, and oak floors.

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Find a small cottage that fits your plans

A smaller holiday home can be a good choice when you do not need extra bedrooms or unused living space. For a stay for two, you may be looking for privacy, a good kitchen and a location close to places you want to visit. For friends or a small family, the bedroom layout, bathroom and sleeping arrangements can be more important than the headline number of guests.

Your plansDetails to compare
A cottage for twoBedroom, bathroom, kitchen, location and parking
Friends travelling togetherWhether bedrooms have double, twin or bunk beds
A small family breakBedroom layout, cot space, child equipment and outdoor space
A short stayAvailable arrival days, minimum stay and total price
Bringing a dogNumber of dogs allowed, outdoor space and property rules

What to check before booking a small holiday cottage

  • Bedrooms and sleeping layout: Check the number of bedrooms and the type of beds, especially if more than two people are travelling.
  • Property type: The collection may include cottages, apartments, studios and annexes. Read the individual description before booking.
  • Living and dining space: A cottage sleeping four may still have a compact kitchen, lounge or dining area.
  • Bathroom arrangements: Check whether there is one bathroom, an en-suite or a separate WC.
  • Facilities: Parking, outdoor space, accessibility features and pet arrangements vary between properties.
  • Location: Small cottages can be coastal, rural, urban or village-based. Check the exact setting and nearby amenities.

More small-break ideas

If you are looking specifically for a stay for two, browse our cottages for couples. You can also combine your search with short breaks, dog-friendly cottages, coastal holiday cottages or country cottages.

Frequently asked questions

These are usually one- or two-bedroom self-catering properties. Sleeping capacity varies, so check the individual listing for the exact bedroom and bed layout.

No. Many suit two people, but some have two bedrooms and work well for friends or a small family.

Not necessarily. Price depends on the location, dates, facilities and demand. Compare the total cost for your chosen stay rather than assuming a smaller property will cost less.

Some can. Check how the guests are accommodated, particularly where a sofa bed, bunk beds or a shared bedroom are involved.

No. The collection can include coastal, rural, village and town properties. Check the location information for the individual cottage.