Cottages in Yorkshire

• Cosy cottages for everyone: Yorkshire's cottages suit couples, families and dog owners alike, with cosy properties for two and roomy options for large groups, many with gardens and log burners.
• Best areas to stay: Base yourself in historic York, the walker-friendly Yorkshire Dales, coastal Whitby or spa-town Harrogate, depending on the kind of break you fancy.
• Top-rated stays: Our highest-scoring cottages earn near-perfect marks for spotless interiors, warm welcomes and peaceful countryside settings that keep guests coming back.
• Where to eat: Yorkshire's food scene runs from Michelin-starred farm-to-table kitchens to traditional tea rooms, with plenty of produce-led country inns in between.
• Things to do: Explore Brimham Rocks, the city of York, Fountains Abbey and the wild beauty of the Dales and the Yorkshire coast.

Yorkshire's holiday cottages range from snug two-person getaways to roomy stone farmhouses sleeping six or more, many with beamed ceilings, log burners and pretty gardens. Couples in search of romance and privacy can go for compact retreats tucked into Dales villages, whilst families may prefer larger barn and farm conversions with room to spread out. If a cottage isn't quite the right fit, you'll also find log cabins and holiday homes across the county, each offering its own take on a relaxed Yorkshire break. Most cottages come generously equipped, so you can settle in and feel at home from the moment you arrive.

• Private gardens or terraces for long summer evenings
• Wi-Fi and a fully fitted kitchen for easy self-catering
• Wood burners and cosy lounges for chillier autumn stays
• Dog-friendly cottages so the whole family can come along - even the four-legged members
• Cottages with a hot tub for a touch of indulgence

Off-road parking is common too, making it easy to explore the moors, dales and coast at your own pace.

What are the best areas to stay in Yorkshire?

North Yorkshire is the most popular base, but holiday lettings right across Yorkshire put you within easy reach of the county's highlights. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Our guests consistently rate Yorkshire cottages highly, praising the warm welcomes, spotless interiors and that unbeatable feeling of having a cosy bolthole all to themselves. Many return year after year, drawn back by the peace of the countryside and the easy access to both moorland walks and lively market towns. Reviews frequently mention thoughtful touches from hosts, well-stocked kitchens and gardens made for unwinding.

Here are our top-rated holiday cottages from the past year:

1. Country Pod - 10.0: A snug retreat for two in Hawes, deep in the Dales, where guests love the peaceful setting and the chance to walk straight from the door.
2. Norah's Nook - 10.0: A welcoming North Yorkshire cottage that happily accepts pets, with a private yard guests single out for relaxed mornings and easy countryside access.
3. Brookfields - 10.0: A spacious North Yorkshire cottage sleeping six, with a garden families praise as ideal for unwinding after a day out on the moors.

Yorkshire sits in northern England, stretching from the Pennine hills in the west to a long North Sea coastline in the east, taking in sweeping moors, green dales and historic cities along the way. Millennia of intriguing history - including fascinating Viking sites - and beautiful natural sites make Yorkshire a popular choice for a rural escape.

🥗Where to eat in Yorkshire?

While in Yorkshire, be sure to try the local produce, including crumbly Wensleydale cheese, sticky parkin and, while in season, fresh rhubarb. Of course, stopping for a Sunday roast complete with Yorkshire puddings is a must, too! Here are our travel experts' favourite restaurants:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Rachel and Tom recommend The Pheasant at Harome in Yorkshire: they loved its unfussy, local produce-led menus and the laid-back, relaxed vibe that rounded off a proper countryside cottage break.

1. Marvel at Brimham Rocks
2. Discover the city of York
3. Step inside Fountains Abbey
4. Hike in the Yorkshire Dales
5. Explore the Royal Armouries in Leeds
6. Take in the Yorkshire coast
7. Meet the animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

1. Marvel at Brimham Rocks

   Scattered across a windswept moor near Harrogate, Brimham Rocks is a surreal landscape of balancing boulders shaped by ice, wind and rain over millions of years. Cared for by the National Trust, it's a brilliant spot for an easy ramble and a picnic, with far-reaching views over Nidderdale. Children love clambering between the weird and wonderful formations, some of which have nicknames like the Dancing Bear and the Sphinx.

2. Discover the city of York

   Compact, walkable and steeped in history, York rewards a full day of exploring. Wander the narrow medieval lanes of The Shambles, stand beneath the soaring Gothic ceiling of York Minster, and walk a stretch of the ancient city walls for a different view of the rooftops. Train enthusiasts shouldn't miss the National Railway Museum, home to gleaming locomotives and free to enter.

3. Step inside Fountains Abbey

   The ruins of Fountains Abbey and the elegant water gardens of Studley Royal together form one of Yorkshire's two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Founded in 1132, the abbey is among the largest and best-preserved Cistercian ruins in the country. Allow a few hours to stroll the landscaped grounds, spot deer in the surrounding parkland and follow the riverside paths.

4. Hike in the Yorkshire Dales

   The Yorkshire Dales National Park is walking country at its finest, criss-crossed with footpaths linking honey-stone villages, drystone walls and tumbling waterfalls. Tackle the dramatic curved cliff of Malham Cove, follow the falls at Aysgarth, or take on one of the famous Three Peaks if you're feeling energetic. You can also try the quieter routes around Wensleydale and Swaledale.

5. Explore the Royal Armouries in Leeds

   On the lively Leeds waterfront, the Royal Armouries houses the national collection of arms and armour, and best of all, admission is free. Across its galleries you'll find everything from medieval jousting equipment to weaponry from around the world, brought to life with regular live demonstrations and family-friendly events.

6. Take in the Yorkshire coast

   Yorkshire's coastline is wonderfully varied, from the cobbled charm of Robin Hood's Bay to the brooding abbey ruins above Whitby harbour, famed for its links to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Further south, traditional seaside fun awaits in Scarborough, with its sandy bays and clifftop castle. Pack walking boots for a stretch of the Cleveland Way, then reward yourself with proper fish and chips eaten looking out over the North Sea.

7. Meet the animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

   Near Doncaster, the award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to polar bears, lions, giraffes and the rare black rhino, with a strong focus on conservation and animal welfare. Spacious enclosures and well-laid-out walking routes make it an easy, enjoyable day out for all ages.