Love The Holiday? Add These Winter Cottages To Your Travel List

The Holiday is, hands down, the best Christmas film of all time (feel free to DM me for a healthy debate). But the real main character wasn’t Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, or even Jude Law. It was the chocolate-box Cotswold cottage — the one that had us all ready to up sticks and move to the British countryside. So discovering it doesn’t actually exist was a particularly hard pill to swallow for film fanatics and cosy-season travellers alike.

The good news? There are plenty of UK cottages that do exist and make equally perfect settings for your own real-life holiday — no movie set required. And they’re the kind of places built for midwinter escapes: roaring fires, frosty morning walks, and that delicious sense of being tucked away from the world. I just can’t promise Jude Law will turn up at your door.

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The Watchtower, Devon

Perched above the River Taw, this charming grade II listed watchtower blends cosy interiors with breathtaking views. A stone’s throw from Barnstaple’s pubs, shops, and cinema, and minutes from sandy surf beaches, it’s perfect for sunsets, long walks, and a touch of adventure. 

7-night stays from £396

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The Thatched Hideaway, Cumbria

Tucked in the countryside near Hadrian’s Wall, this thatched cottage is particularly adorable. With an award-winning garden on your doorstep, it’s perfect for those who like to walk, while the nearby Talkin Tarn Country Park has plenty of activities such as canoeing and wild swimming for those craving adventure. Inside, cosy spaces, a wood-burner-effect fire, and a king-size bedroom make it perfect for lazy evenings after adventurous days.

7-night stays from £683

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Red Squirrel Cottage, Yorkshire

With a kitchen just like Kate Winslet’s, Red Squirrel Cottage absolutely fits the chocolate box bill. Exposed beams, a wood burner, and cosy sofas invite you to linger indoors, while a sunny patio, pond, and six acres of wild woodland mean there’s no lack of places to roam, especially when you go further afield towards dramatic hills, waterfalls, and quaint towns. 

7-night stays from £675

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The Ullswater Retreat, Lake District

No cottage is complete without a traditional Aga, and you’ll be glad to know it’s a focal point of the Ullswater Retreat. Curl up by the roaring fire, take a roll-top bath, and enjoy the kitchen’s farmhouse charm. And, when you do venture outside, just know you’ll be steps from lakeside walks, kayaking, waterfalls, and the charming town of Ullswater. The Lake District is one of the most beautiful spots in the country, after all.

7-night stays from £780

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Infinity, Cornwall

Less The Holiday and more seaside hotspot, this luxurious 1950s shack is perfect for those who feel most at home on the beach. While it has every modcon you can think of: a hottub, smart TV, BBQ, and sunloungers, it’s the floor-to-ceiling windows that are sure to earn the most attention. 

7-night stays from £1,209 

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ARC Padstow, Cornwall

If you’re after a cottage for the whole family, or an impressive number of friends, this impressive 18th-century building sleeps 26, and the interiors are exquisite. Included is access to an online lobby, with access to the best local breakfast delivered to your door, an in-house yoga teacher, and any service you could wish for. But, if you do want to venture outside, you’re only a walk away from a pub and five miles from the beach. 

‍7-night stays from £2,036

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Bradbourne Waterside Barn, Ashbourne

Sat on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this listed barn conversion is a great option for large groups, sleeping ten people across four bedrooms. Of course, there are ample walking routes, but if you’re after an extra special stay, an impressive number of activities are on offer, including: clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, treasure hunts, horse riding, and private chef hire. For even bigger groups, additional properties on site can be booked, too. 

7-night stays from £2,036

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The Old Cart House, Cotswolds

For true countryside charm, few places will impress more than the Cotswolds, and The Old Cart House is the perfect example of why. With exposed beams, a wood burner, and vaulted ceilings, it’s bursting with old-school charm, while only a short distance away from some real hotspots: the Cotswold Farm Park, Daylesford organic farm shop, numerous National Trust properties and gardens. 

7-night stays from £680

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Fox And Hounds Cottage, Wye Valley

There’s something particularly special about stone cottages, and the Fox and Hounds is no exception. Sitting adjacent to the stunning Wye Valley, it’s just as beautiful outside as it is in, with traditional oak beams, a wood fire, and cosy cream bedrooms. Walk through the market town, try your hand at fishing, or wander through the Forest of Dean, where Harry Potter was filmed. 

7-night stays from £813