Holiday Rentals UK

At HomeAway we offer a choice of holiday cottages in the UK that emphasise the eclectic range of destinations available in this country of contrasts; from areas of wilderness like the highlands and the spaces that surround our Lake District cottages to Victorian seaside resorts along the south coast, there is something for everyone.

The locations of our holiday rentals in the United Kingdom vary from quaint villages in bucolic countryside, such as our Cornwall cottages, to the hustle and bustle of the city-centres like London and Edinburgh. Great lengths are taken to preserve the older holiday accommodation that we offer; some are over one hundred years old and boast beautiful original features. All gardens are tended to with care, so many of the cottages that we offer come with beautiful outdoor space. Pets are often welcomed, and internet access is provided by at least half of the accommodation listed.

Things to do

• Historical landmarks - For a relatively small country, the UK packs a great deal of heritage, which dates back more than 2,000 years. If history is what you want to see, then most eras from the medieval to the modern age, are well represented by a wealth of different sites. We recommend: Stonehenge, the Roman structures at Bath, the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Hampton Court Palace and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
• Outdoor activities - There are national parks and areas of natural beauty located all across the country, from Dartmoor in the south west to the Cairngorms National Park in north east Scotland and the Lake District which resides in-between the two. Here you’ll encounter unblemished natural scenery, ideal for a range of activities including walking, biking, horseback riding, boating and canoeing.
• Culture - If its culture you want, there are high-profile museums and art galleries in almost every city, as well as numerous events throughout the year. London’s West End is famed for its numerous theatres, while the Edinburgh Festival is one of the world’s major cultural events. For younger visitors the country hosts some of the top music festivals like Glastonbury, Bestival, Reading and V Festival, to name but a few.
• Family attractions - The UK offers a surprisingly high concentration of first-rate theme parks, safari parks and zoos. In the south you will find Thorpe Park, Legoland and Chessington, while in the county of Staffordshire is Alton Park; all offer a whole host of different rides and entertainment. Elsewhere are other top visitor spots like the Eden Project in Cornwall, with the world’s largest greenhouse.
• Coast – The UK boasts a rich and varied coastline across all areas of the country. The pre-historic Jurassic Coast in Dorset and Devon, is known for its towering cliffs, sandy beaches and fossils whilst there are also many elegant 19th Century seaside resorts like Brighton & Hove, Blackpool and Weston-super-Mare which have piers and offer more traditional entertainment.

When best to rent a cottage in the UK

The UK climate is influenced strongly by the Atlantic Ocean, helping to make conditions mild and changeable for most of the year. Depending in which of our holiday rentals in the United Kingdom you choose to stay, the weather will vary depending on where you are in the country. The sunniest weather occurs in the south east, with warmer spots in the south west, and largely cooler, damper weather than the national average in the north of England and Scotland. Temperatures hover a little way above freezing across the country in winter, with snow common mainly on high ground. Summer is a great time to visit the UK and rent a cottage – the season brings pleasant weather, with warm sunny spells.

Travelling to your accommodation

Train travel in the UK is costly in comparison to most European countries, but the service is efficient, with five high-speed connections between cities and a connection to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. By road, there is more than 3,500 kilometres of motorway, which can get very busy around cities at peak hours. If you’re travelling to your cottage in the United Kingdom from abroad, international airports serve almost every large city in the country; London has six! There are also ferry terminals dotted along the south and east coast, with connections to mainland Europe and Scandinavia.