Everything you need to know about Sawday’s holiday cottages

Our cottage collection spans coastlines, rural landscapes and historic towns across the UK and Europe, each selected for its warmth, individuality and sense of place. Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer escape, the right holiday cottage can transform how you experience a destination. 

Why choose a cottage holiday? 

A holiday cottage gives you the freedom to make the stay your own, and part of the joy is choosing a cottage that lets you step into a version of life you don’t usually get to live. Book somewhere with your dream kitchen and spend an afternoon cooking the sort of feast you never have time or space to attempt at home, find a cottage with a wood-fired oven and make pizza for everyone, a garden big enough for a game of rounders, a cosy reading room where you can disappear for an afternoon or a sea view that makes your morning coffee feel like a special occasion.  

Our holiday cottages are personally inspected, so we know the places we’re recommending and what makes them special inside out. And with a Sawday’s cottage, you can expect a thoughtful host who knows the area well and can point you in the direction of the best local pub, a favourite swimming spot or the farm shop worth making a detour for. Whether you’re escaping for a weekend or settling in for a week, the right cottage can give you the space, freedom and setting to live a little differently, with a home-from-home that becomes part of the holiday itself. 

What makes a good holiday cottage?

A good holiday cottage should feel like somewhere you’re genuinely pleased to have arrived, not simply somewhere with a bed and a kitchen. At Sawday’s, we look for character, comfort and a strong sense of place, whether that means a stone cottage tucked into the countryside, a former schoolhouse by the sea or a simple cabin with nothing but views beyond the window.

The practical details matter too. A well-equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, somewhere pleasant to sit outside and an easy arrival can make all the difference. If you’re bringing children or dogs, check the things that will matter during the stay, such as the garden, sleeping arrangements and any restrictions.

At Sawday’s, we look for more than a good-looking photograph. Our places are personally inspected, so we can tell you what they’re really like and what makes them worth staying in. The result is a collection with plenty of variety, but a shared standard: places with character, thoughtful details and a reason to want to stay there.

Finding the right holiday cottage for you

The beauty of a holiday cottage is that no two stays are quite the same. Some people arrive seeking complete rest, others want a base for exploring wild landscapes, and many simply want a welcoming space where friends or family can gather together.

If relaxation is the priority, our collection of holiday cottages with saunas offers places where wellness becomes part of the daily routine. For those who want to truly step away from everyday noise, our most remote holiday cottages sit in peaceful landscapes where nature takes centre stage. And if you’re unsure where to begin, it can help to let the time of year guide you. 

When is the best time for a cottage holiday?

There’s no bad time for a cottage holiday — just different ways to enjoy one. Spring is made for gardens, fresh air and countryside walks, while summer brings long days, beaches and dinners outside. Come autumn, it’s all about changing colours, cosy pubs and cottages with fires to come home to. And winter has its own charm, with quiet landscapes, wood burners and the chance to hunker down somewhere lovely.

For more inspiration, see our guide to the best time to book a UK cottage holiday.

Cottages by the sea

The coast has long been associated with rest and renewal. Fresh sea air and views taking in the natural rhythm of tides create a deeply calming atmosphere that many travellers find has a way of shifting perspective almost immediately. 

Staying in a coastal cottage allows you to experience this environment fully, whether that means early morning beach walks, afternoons watching seabirds from the window or evenings spent listening to the waves roll in. Our guide to six holiday cottages on the Norfolk coast highlights stays surrounded by salt marshes and wide skies, while five of the best holiday cottages for sea views showcase places where the water is always in sight. 

Cottages for countryside and nature

While interiors play an important role in any stay, the surroundings of a holiday cottage often shape the experience just as much. Gardens, orchards, terraces and open countryside provide space to slow down and reconnect with the outdoors. 

Many cottages in our collection offer generous outdoor spaces where guests can read under trees, share long outdoor meals or watch wildlife pass through the garden. Our feature on holiday cottages for garden lovers celebrates places where carefully tended landscapes become part of the stay itself. 

Cottages where the interior matters

For some travellers, the character of the interior is what turns a cottage stay into something memorable. Thoughtful design, natural materials and carefully chosen furnishings can transform a simple space into somewhere you truly want to spend time. 

Across the Sawday’s collection, many owners bring a strong sense of style to their cottages, creating interiors that feel both comfortable and distinctive. Our guide to interior trends for holiday cottages explores how design is evolving, while collaborations with partners such as Country Living and Piglet in Bed reflect our shared focus on thoughtful, beautifully made spaces. 

How to have a multi-generational cottage holiday without losing your mind

Getting three generations under one roof can be brilliant. It can also mean that everyone has very different ideas about what constitutes a relaxing holiday. The trick is to choose a cottage that gives you plenty of opportunities to be together, without making togetherness compulsory. Look beyond the number of bedrooms and think about how everyone will actually use the space. Separate living areas and a games room can give teenagers somewhere to escape to, while multiple bathrooms can make mornings considerably more civilised. A generous kitchen and dining space are perfect for bringing everyone together, while a garden or outdoor space gives you somewhere to spread out. 

Location matters too. A cottage within easy reach of beaches, walks, attractions, pubs or shops gives different generations the freedom to do their own thing before regrouping later. If younger children are coming, look for safe outdoor spaces and rainy day activities nearby. For older family members, consider accessibility, parking and how easy it is to get around the property and surrounding area. 

The best multi-generational cottage holidays leave plenty of room for shared meals, long conversations and making memories, as well as the occasional strategic retreat to your own corner of the cottage. Travel writer and author Alice Tate’s account of bringing three generations of her family together at one of our holiday cottages details how to find the perfect spot where everyone can reconnect. 

Holiday cottages without a car

There’s something rather nice about arriving at the start of your holiday without having spent three hours staring at the back of a lorry. Leave the car at home, catch a train through the countryside and watch the landscape change as you get closer to your cottage. By the time you arrive, you’re already in holiday mode. Choose a cottage in a location where you can walk straight from the door and you can spend the weekend wandering coastal paths, stopping for a pint at the village pub, walking to pick up fresh bread from the local bakery in the morning and never once wonder where you left the car. There’s no designated driver to nominate and no constant parking to find, just the freedom to see where your feet take you. 

The trick is to choose your cottage with car-free living in mind. Look for properties within easy reach of a train station, with local buses, taxis or a host who can help with a station pick-up. Check what’s actually walkable from the door. Is there a shop for breakfast supplies, food delivery options, a pub for dinner, a beach, a swimming spot or footpaths leading straight into the countryside? Think about what you’d like your days to look like without a car, then find a cottage that makes that possible. 

What to check before booking a holiday cottage

A little time spent checking the details before you book can make the difference between a good stay and one that’s not quite right for you. Think about what you’ll actually need once you arrive, rather than just how lovely the photographs look.

• Location: Check how far you are from shops, pubs, beaches or walking routes, and whether the cottage is genuinely remote or simply described as peaceful.
• Sleeping arrangements: Look at the room layout as well as the number of beds, particularly if you’re travelling with children or a group of friends.
• Outdoor space: Find out whether there’s a private garden, how enclosed it is and whether it’s somewhere you’ll actually want to sit.
• Dogs: Check where dogs are allowed, whether there are any extra charges and what the garden and nearby walks are like.
• Getting there: Rural cottages can mean narrow lanes, steep drives or limited parking, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you arrive.
• The little things: Check what’s provided, from towels and linen to kitchen equipment, Wi-Fi and heating, so you know what to pack.

 

Holiday cottages offer a way to experience travel at a gentler pace. Whether you’re drawn to the restorative calm of the coast, the beauty of a garden in bloom or the comfort of a thoughtfully designed interior, the right cottage creates space to settle in and enjoy a destination fully.

Ready to find yours?

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