Holiday rentals and lettings in the United Kingdom

• Cottages, villas and cabins: The UK's holiday homes range from thatched cottages to countryside villas and cosy log cabins, many with hot tubs, wood burners or private gardens.
• Lake District to Cotswolds: For scenery, base yourself in the Lake District or Scottish Highlands; for slow village life, head to the Cotswolds or Cornwall instead.
• What guests love: Guests consistently praise cosy, well-equipped interiors and locations close to walking trails, beaches and historic market towns.
• May to September: The May half-term and early September bring long days and mild weather, with fewer crowds than peak summer.
• Coasts, castles and cities: Highlights include Cornwall's coastline, Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat, the Cotswolds' honey-coloured villages and Notting Hill.

From thatched-roof cottages in rolling countryside to sleek city apartments, the United Kingdom offers something for every kind of trip. Families often choose spacious cottages with gardens for the kids, while couples lean towards boutique villas or coastal retreats. If you'd rather pitch a tent under the stars, the country's camping and glamping sites suit adventurous types, and log cabins suit those chasing a cosy woodland escape. Most UK holiday homes come well-equipped, with a few standout extras worth looking out for:

• Log fires and wood burners for chilly evenings
• Dog-friendly gardens so the whole family can travel together
• Luxury touches like hot tubs and countryside views
• Private parking, handy for rural cottages and coastal villages alike
• Well-stocked kitchens for home-cooked meals after a day out

Booking early secures the best spots, though flexible dates can still turn up a bargain closer to your trip.

What are the best areas to stay in the United Kingdom?

For scenery and walking trails, the Lake District and Scottish Highlands are hard to beat, while Cornwall and the Cotswolds suit slower, village-hopping breaks, and London or Edinburgh work well if you'd rather split your time between museums, markets and city dining. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests booking holiday homes in the United Kingdom consistently highlight warm, well-maintained interiors and prime locations close to walking trails, beaches or historic town centres. Reviewers often mention thoughtful touches such as local guidebooks, generously stocked kitchens and flexible check-in times, alongside responsive hosts who know their area well enough to point guests towards the best pub, viewpoint or coastal path nearby. Cleanliness and accurate listing descriptions also come up again and again, with many guests noting that photos matched reality and that check-in instructions were clear and easy to follow, even after a long drive or train journey.

The United Kingdom sits in north-west Europe, made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Irish Sea.

✈️What is the best way to get to the United Kingdom?

Getting to the United Kingdom is straightforward, with options by air, rail and ferry depending on where you're travelling from. Here are the most common ways to get to the country:

• Plane: The UK has excellent air links, with major international airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh. Regional airports across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make it easy to fly directly into the area you're visiting, cutting down on onward travel time.
• Train: The Eurostar links London directly to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam via the Channel Tunnel, while the domestic network connects cities and countryside alike, including scenic routes like the West Highland Line up towards Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands.
• Ferry: Regular crossings from Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands arrive at ports such as Dover, Portsmouth, Holyhead and Hull, making a ferry-and-drive combination popular for guests bringing their own car.

🥗Where to eat in the United Kingdom?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Bettys Café Tea Rooms is the best-rated restaurant in the United Kingdom. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Emma and James recommend The Salt Room in Brighton in the United Kingdom: it's their pick for warm evenings, prized for seafront views, a relaxed terrace and seasonal seafood that showcases the best of Brighton's outdoor dining scene.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit is late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, when daylight hours are long and outdoor attractions are in full swing. For quieter roads and lower prices, aim for the May half-term or early September, just after the school summer holidays end.

Spring and early summer (May–June)

• Best for: Wildflowers, mild hiking weather and fewer crowds than peak summer
• Weather: Mild with occasional showers, averaging 12–18°C
• Atmosphere: Relaxed, with gardens and coastal paths at their most colourful

Summer (July–August)

• Best for: Beach days, festivals and long daylight hours for sightseeing
• Weather: Warmest of the year, typically 18–24°C, though rain is always possible
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, especially along the coast and in national parks

Autumn (September–October)

• Best for: Golden woodland walks and cosy stays without peak-season prices
• Weather: Cooler and crisper, around 10–15°C, with colourful foliage
• Atmosphere: Quieter, ideal for travellers who prefer a slower pace

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Hosts across the United Kingdom often point guests towards a local National Trust property or historic garden nearby, a quiet and characterful way to spend a half-day away from the main sights.

1. Explore Cornwall's coastline
2. Hike Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh
3. Ride the rails to the Scottish Highlands
4. Wander the honey-coloured Cotswolds
5. Discover Notting Hill's colourful streets

1. Explore Cornwall's coastline

   Cornwall's turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs make it one of the country's most rewarding coastal escapes. Surf at Porthleven, walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path, or finish the day with a proper Cornish pasty in Padstow. Families often base themselves near Newquay for easy beach access, while quieter coves further west suit anyone chasing a slower pace. Whether you're after adrenaline in the water or a lazy afternoon watching the tide roll in, Cornwall delivers on both.

2. Hike Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh

   This ancient volcano rises to 251 metres above the Scottish capital and rewards a fairly easy hike with sweeping views over the city, the Firth of Forth and beyond. It's one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh, and popular at sunrise or sunset when the light softens the surrounding hills. Combine it with a wander through the Old Town and a proper cup of tea afterwards.

3. Ride the rails to the Scottish Highlands

   Few train journeys match the drama of the West Highland Line, running north-west from Glasgow towards Fort William and Mallaig, rolling past wild moors, glassy lochs and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Keep your camera ready as the train nears the viaduct, since this stretch of track has become a pilgrimage spot for film fans. It's a relaxed way to see some of Scotland's most remote scenery without needing to drive.

4. Wander the honey-coloured Cotswolds

   Villages like Blockley and Castle Combe look almost untouched by time, with golden stone cottages, quiet lanes and tea rooms tucked around every corner. It's the sort of place best explored slowly, on foot or by bike, stopping wherever a garden or a pub catches your eye. Come in late spring for blooming hedgerows, or autumn for a mellow, golden light.

5. Discover Notting Hill's colourful streets

   London's Notting Hill is known for its rainbow-coloured houses, ranging from soft pastels to bold, cheerful shades. Browse antiques at Portobello Road Market, arriving early as it fills up fast in the afternoon, then round off the visit with dinner at one of the neighbourhood's Italian or modern European spots. It's an easy half-day out, and endlessly photogenic.