Often it’s nice to rent a self-catering accommodation for holidays, so you can then do ‘one big shop’ and not have to worry about living on expensive take-out and restaurant meals, during your holiday break!
If you rent out holiday cottages, read our post on pet-friendly gardens to know plants to avoid for visitors with dogs. Also avoid facing indoor plants to outdoor gardens, to prevent birds flying into windows.
There are many holiday cottage companies nationwide, and most let you filter for pet-friendly, child-friendly, disabled-friendly and more (by the sea, small or large properties).
Although they are quite expensive for one or two, for large families or groups, they work out affordable, as you can hire a big place and just pay per property, rather than per person. And discover some of our lovely places to stay, rather than go abroad.
Snaptrip has nationwide affordable homes, rented out by private owners. You can filter by type of property you wish to book, and their exclusive discounts means you often make big savings, rather than on the big holiday booking websites.
From studio annexes in surrounding village gardens to two-bedroom cosy terraced houses tucked away in historic streets, there’s something for everyone in the most most popular holiday destinations! Enjoy exclusive discounts on verified properties, with live availability for instant confirmation.
Sykes Cottages lists over thousands of properties from stunning contemporary apartments to coastal properties with lighthouse views.
Offering 24/7 support for guests, this company supports the Better Business Act, which calls for legislation change to put planetary impact on the same footing as profit.
An Airbnb for Vegans!
VegVisits follows the same principles as airbnb (ID checks and reviews). But the difference is that all the hosts (worldwide) are vegans. So they can not just extend a friendly plant-based welcome, but the kitchens are equipped for your needs.
And most of the property owners are happy to leave recommendations of local visiting spots, including plant-based cafes and restaurants. Some even make a bit more income by cooking for their guests, if they live in a main house and guests are situated in rooms or annexes. Others offer cooked breakfasts or even yoga classes.
And it’s nice to know that your money is being used to support someone with the same ethics as you. For vegan households with extra space, it’s a good way to earn some extra income. And if you use other home-sharing platforms, you can sync your calendars to avoid getting double-booked.
Renting Dog-Friendly Cottages
Many of the companies below rent out dog-friendly cottages (you may wish to search for properties with enclosed gardens). If you are taking dogs on holiday, read our posts on:
- Following the Countryside Code
- Keeping Dogs Safe by the Seaside
- Finding Dog-Friendly Places
- Pet-Safety Tips for christmas
Isle of Wight Hideaways: The Best Holiday Cottages
The Isle of Wight stands out for tranquil beaches, rolling countryside, and a laid-back pace. Dotted across this pretty island are hideaways perfect for a memorable break.
Isle of Wight Hideaways offers hideaways for all the family, you’ll also find budget to luxury accommodation, cosy couple holidays and discounted ferry crossings from the mainland.
These holiday cottages range from coastal escapes to cosy rural retreats, offering something for every traveller. Whether you want sea views, woodland walks, or a thatched cottage with history, the right spot is waiting.
If walking on the Isle of Wight, always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe. Also read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Queen Victoria had a holiday home on Isle of Wight, where she would entertain guests with a slice of vegan Victoria sponge. When not dining out, you can criss-cross the island on a lovely railway, or just walk it (there are lots of trails).
The Jurassic coast (which is kind of around Dorset and the Isle of Wight) is home to many fossils of our ancient dinosaur friends.
Home to popular seaside resorts like Ryde (which you can reach by hovercraft), this is true bucket-and-spade holiday heaven! The Needles rocks protrude from the sea next to the iconic lighthouse (there were four, but one crashed into the sea in a storm). They are one of England’s official natural wonders!
Hand-Picked Holiday Cottages in Devon
Devon Hideaways offers holiday cottages in one of England’s largest counties. North Devon is less touristy and South Devon more for sailing resorts.
East Devon is home to quaint seaside towns like Sidmouth (which has its own little team of ‘plastic warriors’ to keep the town litter-free). Also find two of England’s smallest national parks: Exmoor and Dartmoor (both known for ponies).
Two cities (elegant Exeter & maritime Plymouth (on the border with Cornwall). And quirky Totnes (the world’s first Transition Town).
Hideaway Holiday Retreats in Yorkshire
Yorkshire Hideaways is for people who wish to visit this large county, whether it’s the outskirts of the big cities (York, Leeds, Harrogate, Sheffield) or the National Parks (Dales & Moors and parts of the Peak District).
The east coast is home to birds of prey soaring over cliffs, and marks the end of Alfred Wainright’s Coast-to-Coast walk (which starts in Cumbria and ends when you paddle your toes in the waters of Robin Hood’s Bay.
Inland you’ll find the quirky town of Hebden Bridge, but don’t visit this county for the sunshine! But in return you experience wild nature at its best, and wonderful walks (even in the urban cities).
Beautiful Holiday Cottages in Yorkshire
Yorkshire Hideaways is an established company where you can book privately-owned holiday cottages and self-catering accommodation across the beautiful county of Yorkshire. This company also uses a portion of profits to support Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
There is a filter for cottages with enclosed gardens, though not all are dog-friendly.
Some cottages include a Starter Pack with tea, coffee, sugar and milk. So remember to let them know if you don’t require these (say you don’t drink dairy) to save on waste.
The site has plenty of ground floor & wheelchair-friendly cottages for elderly or disabled visitors, along with many ways to make your trip more affordable:
28-Night Holiday Cottage Stays
The 28 night stays are an innovative idea. At first glance, the prices look enormous (say £3000). But if you are a big family or group of friends, this works out as a very affordable way to take a long holiday, if you’re all a bit frazzled.
If you filter prices ‘low to high’, you’ll find beautiful holiday cottages that work out at £20 a person. This means a month’s holiday at a luxury cottage for £700 a month, which is around a typical cost of a rental home, let alone a holiday in the Yorkshire Dales!
Let’s take a couple of examples to inspire:
A 2-bedroom mews cottage with shared bathroom and beautiful kitchen with dining table. There is a private patio and shared communal walled garden (this one does not allow dogs), and a short stroll to the Yorkshire Moors and local pub.
A large dog-friendly farmhouse on the North York Moors with three double bedrooms (all looking over spectacular countryside). Again with country walks from your doorstep. Plus a conservatory and outdoor seating for six, in the lawned garden.
So you can see that with a little planning and maths, you can enjoy a month-long holiday that likely costs less than most ‘bargain break holidays’. A typical city hotel break in a hotel costs around £200 per room per night.
Self-Catering Holiday Cottages (for all budgets)
Sykes Holiday Cottages is an established company where you can book privately-owned holiday cottages and self-catering accommodation across the UK and Wales. Choose from over 20,000 cottages to suit all budgets and needs .
Some cottages include a Starter Pack with tea, coffee, sugar and milk. So remember to let them know if you don’t require these (say you don’t drink dairy) to save on waste.
An advantage of holiday cottages is that you can also make your own food. It’s often far cheaper to visit the local shops and then cook at home, then keep eating out each night.
The site has plenty of special offers and you can also search for:
- Pet-Friendly
- Lodges & Log Cabins
- Coastal Properties
- Last Minute Breaks
The company’s own Bloom app reward scheme is free to join, giving access to exclusive discounts. You earn rewards on stays and move up each level:
- Level 1 gives first notice of promotions, an automatic £10 off all bookings and a monthly chance to win £2000.
- Level 2 gives all the above, plus £20 off all bookings.
- Level 3 gives the above, and £25 off all bookings.
The most popular destinations for this company’s holiday cottages are:
- The Peak District
- The Yorkshire Dales & North York Moors
- The Lake District & Cumbria
- The Cotswolds
- East Anglia
- The Heart of England
- North Wales
- Scotland
