Waterside and Riverside Holiday Cottages

Find UK holiday cottages by rivers, lakes, canals, lochs, harbours and the coast. From a river-view cottage for a peaceful break to a beachside stay with sea views, this collection brings together self-catering properties with a verified waterside setting.

Waterside can mean different things at different properties. Some cottages are directly beside the water, while others have views, shared access or are a short distance away. Check each listing for its water setting, access details and any relevant safety information before booking.

 

  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Torcross is a charming village on one of the most beautiful stretches of South Devon's coastline. It's an ideal location for those seeking a tranquil getaway by the sea. 9 At The Beach is a delightful waterside apartment offering guests bright and spacious accommodation just a few metres away from Slapton Sands, where the water is crystal clear.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a large holiday Anglesey holiday cottage with many windows  and terrace overlooking a shrub-filled garden.
  • Sleeps 14
  • Bedrooms 7

This superb, pet-friendly Edwardian seaside holiday home on Anglesey is large enough to accommodate up to 14 guests by the sea in Cemaes Bay. With sea views from most rooms and a garden bordering the beach, it's perfect for holidays all year round for large families or groups of friends.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Two rows of cottages converted from stables line two-sides of a courtyard.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

This charming holiday cottage in Enniskillen is decorated to a high standard. It features period furnishings and a wood-burning stove. The cottage also has a small outdoor patio, a sitting area, a kitchen, a twin bedroom, and a bathroom.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A rural holiday cottage with a terracotta roof sits behind a lawn with a shingled footpath.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Avonside Cottage is a unique riverside holiday cottage set beside the Avon River in the historic village of Pill in Somerset. The property sleeps four and boasts a sunny patio with river views, a lawned space, an interior with vaulted ceilings and wooden panelling, and open-plan design and true style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A Highland Country House surrounded by wooded parkland.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 17

Baronial Bliss is a large, luxurious holiday home on sumptuous grounds near Roughpark in Scotland. The regal castle sits among woodlands and ponds and offers majestic views, delightful outdoor entertaining areas and exquisite furnishings with log fires. The 17th-century property promises special memories.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A converted 3-storey mill building overlooking lawns and a lake.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Guests at Bay View can while away the days soaking up the sea views from this luxury waterside apartment near Bamburgh Castle. The former Norman grain mill welcomes families and groups with three bedrooms of bright, coastal décor and high-end amenities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A lighthouse complex in a clifftop location with the sea in the background.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Perched on the clifftop at Start Bay, Beacon Cottage boasts unparalleled ocean views and a wonderful sitting-out area. The coastal cottage adjoins the lighthouse near Kingsbridge in Devon and offers a unique holiday escape with contemporary elegance, modern comforts and access to sandy beaches.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A modern 2-storey house with a full length balcony with all lights on in the dusk.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 3

A superb coastal holiday cottage in Beesands, South Devon. Beautifully designed to make the most of its excellent position on the coast, you'll find a luxurious interior and fantastic sea views. Three spacious bedrooms and loads of outdoor space mean plenty of room, and it even has a cinema!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A sprawling country house with a tower overlooks a garden full of flowering crocuses.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

The Abercorn Wing of Belle Isle Castle affords a luxurious holiday experience in the Northern Ireland hinterlands, a rural pet-friendly property on a 470-acre estate spread near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, with magnificent original features and many modern touches.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A view of Dartmouth estuary seen from the covered terrace of a waterside holiday let
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 4

Bights Boathouse is a luxurious waterside holiday home with fabulous views across up and down the Dart estuary in Dartmouth. This pet-friendly property is located in the enchanting South Hams area of South Devon, offering its guests easy access to various coastal attractions. The property is surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants, and local events such as the Dart Music Festival. Guests can enjoy scenic cycling and walking routes or take a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The nearby beaches like Blackpool Sands are waiting to be explored.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Waterside Cottages
An extended farmhouse holiday cottage overlooks an expansive lawn.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Bonython Farmhouse is a large luxury holiday cottage on Bonython Estate near Helston. It boasts one of ‘The Great Gardens of Cornwall’, including a hidden valley and lakes. The pet-friendly coastal cottage boasts woodburning stoves plus a perfect blend of rural charm and modern design.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This secluded, 2-bedroom Aberdovey holiday cottage is perfect for a family of four who want to get away but not so far away as to not have access to the shops, pubs and beaches in nearby Aberdovey. Just minutes away from the sea, enjoy the beautiful rural views from Braich-Y-Celyn Lodge.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Visitors to Northumberland can holiday in comfort and style at Bridge Cottage, a pet-friendly country cottage on the outskirts of Haltwhistle, a short walk from Hadrian’s Wall. The cottage features a cosy sitting room, a king-size double and twin bedrooms, and a walled patio area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
On the edge of a mature wood, a timber-frame lodge with a spacious deck overlooks an open field.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Brook Lodge is a charming and romantic cottage on 500 acres of Wakes Hall Farm in Essex. This pet-friendly, comfortable cottage with a hot tub for couples is located by a small lake amidst beautiful woodland and tranquillity. The cottage is eco-friendly and sophisticated. It features an enclosed garden and deck to enjoy the stunning rural views. 

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A flat tree-covered Islandreflected in a calm sea at sunset.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Chapel House Two, a luxurious Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, offers access to a private beach, a saltwater lido, and an outdoor heated pool. This charming waterside cottage with elegant decor features a cosy lounge, a well-equipped kitchen, and a mezzanine area with a sofa bed. Enjoy ample outdoor seating, a barbecue, and a fire pit. Explore the island's communal facilities, including a tennis court, a cinema room, and a seasonal island pub—an ideal escape for families and special celebrations, just 90 minutes (but light-years away) from London.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Waterside Cottages

Choose the right waterside cottage

Your ideal breakLook forCheck before booking
A riverside holidayA cottage beside or overlooking a riverWhether there is direct access, a view only, fishing permission or an unfenced water edge
A lake or loch stayA lakeside or lochside settingWhether the water can be accessed and any property-specific rules
A canal-side breakA cottage by a canal, marina or towpathThe exact location, nearby paths, parking and any shared access
A harbour or estuary escapeHarbour, creek or estuary viewsTides, terrain and the distance to local shops or restaurants
A seaside holidayA sea-view, beachfront or beach-adjacent cottageWhether there is direct beach access or simply a coastal location
A stay with a dogA waterside property that welcomes dogsDog numbers, garden details, water-edge safety and local access rules

What to check before booking

A cottage by the water can be ideal for relaxing, walking, fishing or exploring the coast, but the details matter.

  • Water setting: Confirm whether the property is by a river, lake, canal, loch, harbour, estuary or the sea.
  • Access: A water view does not always mean direct access to the riverbank, shore or beach.
  • Activities: Check whether fishing, swimming, boating, paddleboarding or mooring is allowed before making plans.
  • Children and dogs: If you are travelling with children or pets, look for information about fencing, water edges, steps and supervision.
  • Coastal conditions: For beach, harbour and estuary stays, check tides, local access and seasonal conditions.
  • Practical details: Consider parking, walking routes, local amenities and how close the cottage is to the water you want to enjoy.

Find your kind of waterside break

For sea-focused stays, browse Coastal Holiday Cottages. You can also combine your search with Dog-Friendly Cottages, Remote Holiday Cottages, Walking Holidays and Cottages for Couples.

Frequently asked questions

This collection includes cottages by rivers, lakes, canals, lochs, harbours, estuaries and the coast. Check each listing for the exact setting and relationship to the water.

No. Some have direct access, while others may have views, shared access or be nearby. Check the individual property details before booking.

Only where the property information confirms that this is allowed. Fishing permissions, water access, equipment and local conditions vary.

Yes. Use the Dog-Friendly filter, then check the individual cottage’s pet policy and any water-edge or garden safety details.

Coastal cottages focus on the sea and shoreline. Waterside cottages can include coastal stays, but also rivers, lakes, canals, lochs, harbours and estuaries.

It depends on the property. Check for details about water access, fencing, banks, steps and supervision before booking.