Sawday’s guide to holiday cottages in the UK

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. 

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. Our guide to a holiday cottage for every season of the year explores how different places shine in spring, summer, autumn and winter.  

Coastal Cottages

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. 

Nature lovers

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. 

Interiors-led cottages

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. 

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. Explore the Sawday’s collection to find a holiday cottage that feels perfectly suited to the kind of escape you’re looking for. 

 Find your perfect holiday cottage with Sawday’s >

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