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.

 

An Anglesey bungalow surrounded by lawns and a woodland backdrop.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Spectacular views of Blue Flag Llanddona Beach are available from almost every window of this pet-friendly cottage for four in Anglesey. With everything arranged on a single floor, Hen Felin Isaf is convenient, welcoming, and relaxing, truly a seaside holiday destination of your dreams.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
Twin-gabled extertior of a Kent farmhouse surrounded by a large, fenced lawn
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Hensill Farmhouse is a gorgeous rural cottage set among woodland on the edge of Hawkhurst in Kent. The 19th-century cottage offers true seclusion with a wrap-around garden and views, plus an interior boasting tiled floors, French doors, natural light, an open-plan design, elegant décor, and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a large 2-story house surrounded by a lawn on the shores of a large lake.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Hullet Hall is a beautiful Lake District holiday cottage on Lake Windermere's shores within the Graythwaite Country Estate. The cottage has its own private boating jetty and sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. Guests enjoy complimentary use of the Estate's heated indoor swimming pool, trout fishing lake and fitness suite.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A lighthouse with a sweeping clifftop lawn and sea views.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Book an Isle of Wight holiday cottage with superb sea views at Landward, a beautifully renovated ex-Lighthouse keeper's cottage at St Margaret's Lighthouse. Near Ventnor, a few minutes walk from the beach, this attractive cliff-top rural holiday cottage sleeps 4. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
the exterior of a stone built holiday cottage in North Yorkshire with terracotta roof and grassy lawns.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This pretty stone cottage is situated in the Castle Howard Estate village of Coneysthorpe. With two cosy wood-burning stoves and furnished with antiques from Castle Howard, this holiday cottage in North Yorkshire has carefully chosen modern furnishings and is perfectly appointed. A picturesque garden with a trickling stream; the perfect place to relax after a day exploring the region.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
An outdoor swimming pool and terrace with a sun-lounger swing are overlooked by a garden and cottage.
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 5

Llys Offa is a spacious, family-friendly rural holiday cottage near Ruabon in North Wale. It offers tranquillity, multiple spaces for relaxation, a games room, a sauna, and an outdoor heated swimming pool, all of which sit beside a running stream and are within easy reach of the attractions of North Wales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Aerial view of a Lighthouse and crew buildings atop cliffs overlooking the sea at Lizard Point in Cornwall.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

If you're looking for a unique and unforgettable coastal holiday experience, Longships is the perfect cottage for you. Located within the Lizard Lighthouse near Lizard Village in Cornwall, this spectacular seaside cottage offers breathtaking views over the ocean that you won't find anywhere else. With modern comforts, subtle decorations, and ample grounds for children and pets to explore, Longships is the perfect getaway for families or couples looking to relax and unwind by the sea. So why wait? Book your stay at Longships today and experience the beauty of Cornwall like never before!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a large L-shaped stone farm house overlooking a large courtyard parking area.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 5

One of two wonderfully refurbished farm cottages near the rural village of Clawddnewydd in Clwyd, Maestyddyn Farm House (Maes for short) makes an ideal holiday base for large families and groups in North Wales. This large pet-friendly cottage features a shared games room, hot tub, sauna, and five stylish bedrooms each with TVs and en-suite.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A double-fronted stone cottage overlooks a sunny lawn edged with flowers.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Mill Cottage is a delightful two-bedroom holiday property near Tintagel in North Cornwall, nestled in a designated National Landscape. It offers families an idyllic getaway in the village of St Nectan’s Glen. The coastal cottage boasts gorgeous gardens surrounded by trees with a babbling brook.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A 3-storey, brick-built, Dorset Mill House overlooks a cobbled courtyard.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

Mill House is a large Dorset holiday home in Maiden Newton, Dorset, which makes an ideal holiday retreat for large families and groups of friends, a Grade II listed child-friendly cottage featuring stylish décor, a games room, six spacious bedrooms, and a large enclosed garden with patio and barbecue.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a single-storey Cornish cottage surrouded by a tree-lined garden.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Millstream is a Tintagel holiday cottage for couples in the picturesque St. Nectan’s Glen along the North Cornwall coast. This romantic rural retreat for two is in a former corn mill and retains its character, with a quaint arched door and sofa that converts into a full-size double bed.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A single storey, stone cottage overlooks a garden with a small stream trickling under a bridge in the foreground.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Minafon is a beautiful holiday cottage made of stone, perfect for couples and located in Colwyn Bay. You can reach it by crossing a bridge over a stream. The cottage features exposed stone walls, a cozy log fire, and wooden beams that add character, all while blending perfectly with the contemporary styling. Moreover, this romantic cottage welcomes pets and offers a stunning view of the Bodnant Estate and the Colwyn Bay region in Wales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
2 storey contemporary house with floor to ceiling windows, terrace nd garden
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Mor Awelon, in the charming village of Goodwick, has an upside-down design to capture the views of the Pembrokeshire countryside and the ocean beyond. Ultra-modern finishes define this rural holiday cottage near Fishguard, while its balcony and lawned garden invite relaxation and socialising.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A twin-gabled house overlooks a large lawn bordered by a tall hedge.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

New Lodge promises stunning views of Lake Ullswater from its cosy sitting room. The lakeside cottage in Watermillock, Cumbria, promises seclusion and modern sophistication, architectural design, floor-to-ceiling windows, two log fires, lovely gardens and a private shoreline with a small jetty.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A modern house with a vine covered 1st floor balcony overlooks a shrub-filled front garden.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Nutwood is a delightful detached cottage perched near Lake Windermere in Lakeside. The pet-friendly cottage is well-positioned for a holiday in Cumbria and the Lake District. It features a spacious furnished deck, lovely grounds, an interior with modern furnishings, an open fire, and ample light.

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