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.

Exterior of a Newtonmore holiday cottage in a restored railway signal box.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Enjoy a holiday in a thoroughly modern property converted from a historic signal box. The Signal Box is a rural holiday cottage for couples in Newtonmore with stunning views of the Cairngorms and all of the comforts of home. It was chosen as one of the 50 best UK holiday cottages by The Times Newspaper.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

South Lodge is a luxurious rural cottage with a hot tub surrounded by the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales. Sitting on spacious grounds, this detached holiday cottage in Longford sleeps 4 and possesses immaculate gardens with beautiful views, a hot tub and fresh air, plus an interior boasting beam and a cosy log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey stone-built Cotswold Cottage surrounded by a mature garden.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Spring Cottage is a gorgeous honey-coloured stone-built cottage nestled within the Cotswolds in Alkerton. The pet-friendly cottage boasts lovely gardens, exposed beams & stone walls, oak furnishings, an open fire, a sunroom and contemporary style, plus access to the region of Oxfordshire.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An extended holiday bungalow backed by mature trees with a spacious patio equipped for outdoor dining.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Spring Water Barn is a luxurious romantic cottage set on 20 acres of beautiful grounds on the Bonython Estate. Set near Helston in Cornwall, the sophisticated cottage offers stunning gardens and private outdoor spaces, as well as contemporary style, a wood-burning stove, exposed beams and serenity.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
L-Shaped bungalow with large potted palms and mature shrubs on its terrace.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

St. Corantyn Cottage lies on the gorgeous Bonython Estate and enjoys the seclusion of 20 acres of beautiful grounds near Helston in Cornwall. The light-filled, elegant country cottage near Helston offers an open fire and multiple outdoor relaxation spaces, as well as gorgeous rural views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A single-storey Northumberland holiday cottage on a quiet lane.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Stable Cottage welcomes guests to a delightful rural cottage featuring open-roof trusses in Belford, Northumberland. The former 19th-century, stone-built stable block offers a delightful garden, character-laden bedrooms, an open fire, and contemporary elegance.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a barn conversion overlooking a terrace with a hot tub.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Stables Cottage is a comfortable and stylish countryside cottage in the Northern Yorkshire Dales near Barnard Castle. Accommodation is all on the ground floor and sleeps two to four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A wide 2-storey gable end of an Isle-of-Wight holiday cottage with floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Starboard is a beautiful Isle of Wight coastal retreat located on a shingle beach in charming Yarmouth. Starboard is a dog-friendly, small and romantic open-plan studio apartment sleeping 2.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Kitchen worktops and dining table in a Norfolk cottage with oak-beamed ceilings.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Stockman’s Cottage is a delightfully sophisticated rural cottage featured in Country Living Magazine. The pet-friendly holiday cottage near Derham, Norfolk, promises a gorgeous garden, fresh air, exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace with a wood burner, and contemporary style and rural seclusion.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone Penrith holiday home with a 1st floor Juliet Balcony overlook a paved courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Get swallowed up in the beauty of the remote North West Cumbrian countryside at the quieter end of The Lake District with a stay at the secluded Swallow’s Nest, a cosy, family-friendly, 5-Star Gold, barn conversion in Catterlen, near Penrith.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone built country cottage in the Yorkshire Dales overlooks a mature garden with flowering poppie.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Sycamore Cottage enjoys expansive views of the Yorkshire Dales due to its upside-down design, which promises couples serenity and seclusion. The stone-built end-terrace holiday home near Hawes boasts a generous garden that pets will love and lies in a secluded rural location in Wensleydale.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a Cambridgeshire, brick built barn conversion in a courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

The Barn is a lovely base for a relaxing family holiday in the Lincolnshire countryside within easy reach of The Wash coast. The 19th-century detached barn conversion near Wiobech is well-presented and thoughtfully furnished, blending rural style with modern comforts. Pets welcome.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A Somerset barn conversion, partially obscured by a tree.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Burrow is a beautifully transformed Somerset chapel surrounded by well-maintained lawns and picturesque countryside. This romantic holiday cottage in Bruton welcomes pets. It features impressive vaulted beamed ceilings, charming arched windows, a cosy mezzanine bedroom, a wood burner, a wine cooler, and even a home cinema. It's an ideal place to unwind and enjoy peace and quiet.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Single-storey brick-built barn conversion forming a holiday cottage with a long deck and lawned garden with a light sprinkling of winter snow. overlooking a
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Set in the small rural village of Milton, you’ll find The Byre, a farm cottage in Cumbria perfect for families looking to escape the rigours of their daily lives. This countryside cottage between three North West national parks offers the ideal holiday getaway on a working livestock farm.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Small Cottages
Exterior of a stone built cottage overlooking a courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This semi-detached Cumbrian holiday cottage is located near Cark-in-Cartmel and can sleep four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

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.