How to choose the perfect cottage for your next escape

Before you look at maps, availability or price, pause and think about the emotion you want this break to give you.

Are you craving:

• Deep rest and total escape from everyday life?
• A sense of adventure, with walks, swims and exploring from dawn to dusk?
• Quality time together, cooking, talking and lingering late into the evening?

Some cottages are designed for hibernation, others for adventure or celebration. When you’re clear on the feeling you want (calm, cosy, uplifting, energising) it becomes much easier to spot the cottages that will genuinely suit you.

Location is about more than scenery. It’s about how you’ll spend your time once you arrive.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to stay put, or head out exploring each day?
• Is this a long weekend or a longer escape?
• Do I want everything on the doorstep, or am I happy being tucked away?

A remote cottage reached by winding lanes can feel wonderfully wild, but it suits a different kind of break to a village cottage with a pub down the road. Coastal cottages bring salt air and shifting light, while countryside stays offer rolling views, footpaths and space to breathe. Choose a setting that makes your days feel easy, not complicated.

It’s tempting to aim for cottages that offer everything, but the most memorable stays usually focus on doing a few things beautifully.

Think about which features will really shape your experience:

• A wood burner for long evenings and winter escapes
• A hot tub, sauna or outdoor bath for slowing down under open skies
• A view that draws you in and makes you pause
• A kitchen you’ll actually enjoy cooking in

Let go of features you won’t use and prioritise those that support how you want your days to unfold.

Want to find out more about cottage stays? Why not read our Love Letter to the Cottage blog post?

A cottage that feels perfect in summer may feel very different in winter — and vice versa.

For example:

• Winter suits cottages with fires, thick walls and cosy interiors
• Spring works beautifully in rural settings full of life and colour
• Summer favours coastal or lakeside cottages with outdoor space
• Autumn shines in woodland or hillside locations with big skies and moody views

Choosing a cottage that complements the season helps the stay feel natural, comfortable and in tune with its surroundings.

Photos show you how a cottage looks. The description often tells you how it feels.

Look for:

• Language that suggests pace — slow, peaceful, sociable or adventurous
• Details that hint at how guests are encouraged to use the space
• Signs of care, personality and pride from the owner

A thoughtfully written listing usually reflects a thoughtfully run cottage — and that often shows the moment you arrive.

Small, practical details have a big impact on how relaxed you feel once you’re there.

Things worth checking include:

• Parking and access
• Outdoor space that’s genuinely private and usable
• Storage for coats, boots, bikes or dogs
• Clear arrival information and helpful hosts

These aren’t the most glamorous details, but they quietly shape how easy and enjoyable your stay will be.

Every escape has a different relationship with the outside world.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want reliable Wi-Fi, or a proper digital detox?
• Am I happy driving everywhere, or do I want walks from the door?
• Do I want total privacy, or a sense of nearby life?

Being honest about this upfront helps avoid disappointment and ensures the cottage fits your version of getting away.

Finally, trust that feeling you get when you find the one. Often, the perfect cottage isn’t the one with the longest list of features — it’s the one that makes you picture yourself there instantly.

When a place feels right, it usually is.

Here's a selection of our favourite spots for cottage stays.

• The Cotswolds – Honey-coloured stone villages, rolling countryside and timeless market towns, perfect for slow mornings, long pub lunches and scenic walks straight from the door.

• Cornwall – Dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches and sea-salt air, with cottages perched above coves or tucked away in quiet fishing villages where days revolve around tides and sunsets.

• The Lake District – A dream for walkers and nature lovers, offering waterside cottages, mountain views and cosy boltholes where you can return to roaring fires after days on the fells.

• Northumberland – Wild, open landscapes and dark skies, with remote cottages near empty beaches, historic castles and some of the best stargazing spots in the UK.

• Devon – A blend of countryside calm and coastal adventure, from thatched cottages surrounded by fields to clifftop retreats overlooking the Atlantic.

• The Scottish Highlands – Big skies, dramatic scenery and total escapism, ideal for off-grid stays, lochside views and cottages where nature sets the pace.

• Wales – From rugged national parks to peaceful rural valleys, Welsh cottages offer a deep sense of tranquillity, perfect for switching off and reconnecting with the outdoors.