Cottages in the UK

Where you'll find the most choice

There are 18,082 cottages published on BritStays across the UK, but they aren't spread evenly. Scotland leads with 2,679, followed by Wales with 2,319 and Yorkshire with 2,239. Next come Cornwall (1,504) and Devon (1,090), then Cumbria (1,061), Norfolk (953), Northumberland (784), Dorset (634) and Lincolnshire (412).

Part of the reason the top two lead is how the figures are grouped. Scotland and Wales are each counted as a single area, so their totals cover a whole nation rather than one county. That makes Yorkshire's figure stand out, because it almost matches Wales on its own. If you want the widest choice of dates and sizes, these three are a sensible place to start.

What you typically get

The facilities data says more about where a cottage is than about what's inside it. The most commonly listed features are:

EV charging nearby: 7,585 cottages
Near a bus stop: 6,561
Near a train station: 3,736

So a good share of cottages can be reached without a car, and many electric-car drivers will find a charger within reach.

On-site features are recorded far less often:

Parking: 319
WiFi: 204
Pet friendly: 198
Hot tub: 100
Disabled access: 57
Sea views: 46
EV charging at the property itself: 42

Treat these lower numbers with care. They reflect what owners have listed, not necessarily what exists. Plenty of cottages will have parking or WiFi that simply isn't flagged. Always check the individual listing, and ask the owner if something matters to you.

Who cottages suit

Cottages work well if you want your own front door, a kitchen and space to settle in for a few days. They suit:

couples looking for a quiet base
families who'd rather not eat out every night
groups who want to stay under one roof

If you're bringing a dog, need step-free access or have your heart set on a hot tub, you'll be choosing from a much smaller pool. Filter for those first so you don't fall for somewhere that can't accommodate you.

What the example stays show

Most of our example cottages are on the smaller side. These all sleep two, the classic couple's bolt-hole:

Lawson's Studio in Leyburn, Yorkshire
Syke Farm Cottage in Greater Manchester
Brook House Farm - The Dairy in Nantwich
The Byre in Leominster

Quarry Cottage in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley sleeps three, with EV charging nearby.

Four-sleepers are common too, including Ahoy in Poole, Smardale Cottages in Kirkby Stephen, West End Lodge in Bridlington, Oak Cottage in Scarborough and Seaside Haven in Whitby. Seaside Haven and Ahoy are good examples of well-connected stays, with a bus stop, a train station and EV charging all listed nearby.

For bigger groups, the options thin out:

North Moor Farm Cottages - Blackbird in Flamborough sleeps six
The Lookout Penthouse, Scarborough sleeps six
Ford Cottage in Banchory sleeps seven
The Stables in Stafford sleeps eight

A noticeable number of the examples sit along the Yorkshire coast, in Scarborough, Whitby, Bridlington and Flamborough, which fits with Yorkshire's high overall count.

Choosing well and when to book

Check the beds, not just the headline number. A cottage that sleeps four may mean one double and two singles. Check the layout suits your group.
Decide early whether you'll drive. With thousands of cottages listed near a bus stop or train station, a car-free break is realistic. Check the walk from the stop to the door, especially with luggage.
Confirm the essentials directly. Parking, WiFi, pet rules and access are under-recorded in the data. A quick message to the owner saves surprises.
Book furthest ahead for the rarer things. Larger cottages, hot tubs, sea views, pet-friendly and accessible stays make up a small share of what's listed. If you need one of these, especially around school holidays, book well in advance.
Widen your search if you're flexible. If your first choice is busy, the counts show solid choice in Cumbria, Norfolk, Northumberland, Dorset and Lincolnshire too.

Frequently asked questions

Where in the UK has the most cottages on BritStays?

Scotland has the most with 2,679, followed by Wales with 2,319 and Yorkshire with 2,239. Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria each have more than 1,000.

How many cottages are listed on BritStays in total?

There are 18,082 cottages published on BritStays across the UK.

Can I reach a cottage without a car?

Often, yes. 6,561 cottages are listed as near a bus stop and 3,736 as near a train station. Seaside Haven in Whitby and Ahoy in Poole are both listed as near a bus stop and a train station.

Are there cottages with hot tubs or sea views?

Yes, but they're relatively rare. 100 cottages list a hot tub and 46 list sea views, so it's worth booking early if you want either.

Are there cottages for larger groups?

Yes, though fewer than for couples. Among our examples, North Moor Farm Cottages - Blackbird in Flamborough and The Lookout Penthouse, Scarborough sleep six, Ford Cottage in Banchory sleeps seven and The Stables in Stafford sleeps eight.

Why do so few cottages list parking or WiFi?

Only 319 list parking and 204 list WiFi, but that reflects what has been recorded rather than what exists. Many cottages may have these without flagging them, so check the listing or ask the owner.

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