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 single-storey, stone-built barn conversion in Cumbria with parking spaces and lawns.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Take in all the majesty of the North Cumbria countryside with a stay at The Stable, a romantic farm cottage for couples in the rural hamlet of Milton near Brampton. Explore Hadrian’s Wall and The Lake District. Pets welcome.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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Twin photos of a stone cottage exterior and a swirling hot tub.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

The Stables in the quaint Cotswold village of Little Tew, Oxfordshire, offers modern comforts amidst a peaceful setting for the ideal holiday home with a hot tub for couples and small families. It is a pet-friendly barn conversion with an enclosed garden, hot tub, breakfast bar, wood burner, and two bedrooms with TVs.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Small Cottages
A siungle storey wing of a stone-bult property overlooks a terrace and gardens.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Summer Palace: A Tranquil Retreat for Couples in Middleham

Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Middleham in North Yorkshire, The Summer Palace stands as an exceptional stone-built, detached cottage, offering an idyllic escape for couples seeking respite amid picturesque rural surroundings.

 

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
A timber-framed holiday cottage on Osea Island with two sun-loungers on its lawn
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Sweet Shop, a charming cottage on Osea Island, is perfect for couples seeking a tranquil getaway. This bijou retreat in the island's village area offers an open living and bedroom space, a well-equipped kitchen, and a shower room. Guests enjoy access to private beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor heated pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, a gym, and four event spaces. The island's communal facilities include a pool, tennis court, The Shack, free bicycles, a lido pool, a cinema and more. Bring up to two dogs for a weekly fee of £30 each. Short breaks are available.

  • Accessible Cottages
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A wood and slate Cotswold holiday cottage overlooks a terrace with a dining table and lawn.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Couples seeking a relaxing getaway will enjoy a stay at The Sycamore, a delightful romantic Cotswold holiday cottage for couples near the historic village of Arlington in Gloucestershire. It's the perfect weekend retreat featuring plenty of natural light streaming from double-height windows, beamed ceilings, and wood floors.

  • Active Holidays
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Exterior of a heritage railway station building in North Yorkshire.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Ticket Office is a unique, quirky romantic cottage in the heart of Ruswarp in the North York Moors. The Grade II listed former ticket office features a cast iron fireplace and mullion windows encased in stone walls. The pet-friendly property is ideal for couples seeking something different.

  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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An arched brick gatehouse converted to holiday cottages.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Treasury is an elegant romantic cottage within the grounds of the private Wolterton Park Estate in Norfolk. The pet-friendly luxury cottage for two boasts exposed brick walls and great character, as well as fine furnishings and an open fire. Couples can also enjoy the private estate and its 150 acres of grounds.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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Exterior of a semi-detached holiday cottage in East Yorkshire overlooking a quiet road with plenty of parking spaces to the rear.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The White House welcomes couples to Middleton-on-the-Wold and rewards them with an indulgent hot tub. The pet-friendly romantic cottage in the Vale of York and Yorkshire Wolds sits in a prime location for walking and cycling and offers a sophisticated style with exposed beams and an open-plan design.

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A 2-storey holiday cottage in Ulverston in a converted stone barn surrounded by a low stone wall.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

A cosy romantic holiday cottage in the Lake District for couples near Ulverston, Thimble Cottage is a Cumbrian barn conversion featuring a galleried double bedroom and open plan living area; the cottage lies in a secluded area, close to Ulverston, Coniston, and Furness Coast beaches.

  • Countryside Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
A long eco-friendly log cabin with a covered, wrap-around deck is surrounded by countryside..
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Thornlea Log Cabin is a unique eco-holiday lodge = near Saltburn surrounded by open countryside in the North York Moors. The pet-friendly holiday home is light and airy in summer, warm and cosy in winter and possesses a large veranda, plus easy access to the coastline and Esk Valley.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
Rear exterior of a bungalow overlooking a tree-lined lawn.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Your home away from home, Thornlea is a welcoming retreat for families and groups. This charming two-bedroom detached bungalow boasts a delightful garden in the picturesque Swaledale market town of Richmond. Vibrant colours and modern amenities are featured throughout this pet-free cottage, making it an ideal base for exploring the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey Cornish Barn conversion overlooks well-kept lawns and gardens.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Tregadjack Barn is a small and private, secluded cottage with two beautiful gardens near the town of Helston, Cornwall, offering beautiful long views along the rolling tree-covered countryside to the sea at Mounts Bay; the two-bedroom, pet-friendly oasis welcomes guests with a homemade fish pie!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
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Exterior of a vine-covered weather-boarded holiday cottage in Kent.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Tufton Croft is a detached weather-board rural cottage set on the outskirts of Wittersham in Kent. Surrounded by countryside and walks, the pet-friendly cottage promises seclusion and offers spacious, enclosed gardens with beautiful views, plus a furnished patio and a stylish interior with log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Gable end of a 2-storey pennine holiday cottage overlooking a country lane
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Underbank Hall Cottage is a romantic cottage for couples in a secluded rural location with breathtaking views of the valleys and hills between The Peak District and The Pennines in Stocksbridge, but still within easy reach of the fleshpots of Sheffield. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built Wye Valley holiday cottage overlooks a paved patio with dining furniture.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Rustic elegance defines Valley View, a stone-built romantic Herefordshire holiday cottage in Howle Hill. The semi-detached property overlooks the Wye Valley and boasts a wood burner, contemporary fixtures and fittings, flagstone floors, exposed stone walls, a sun-drenched patio and countryside views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic 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.