Holiday rentals and lettings in England

• Something for everyone: From city flats in London to seaside cottages in Cornwall, England's holiday homes suit families, couples and groups craving space, character and comfort.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in the Lake District for fells and water, the Cotswolds for pretty villages, or the south coast for windswept beaches.
• Trusted by guests: Our top-rated England stays score a perfect 10.0, with visitors praising warm hosts, spotless homes and well-chosen locations.
• When to visit: Summer brings festivals and long days, whilst spring and autumn offer quieter lanes and lower rates, and winter suits cosy fireside breaks.
• Plenty to do: Explore London, walk the coast path in Cornwall, tour historic Bath and Stonehenge, or hike the Lake District fells.

England's holiday homes range from half-timbered cottages and converted barns to smart city flats and lakeside lodges. If you love the outdoors, there are excellent camping spots across England and characterful log cabins tucked into woodland and along the coast. Whichever style you choose, look out for the amenities that make a self-catering stay genuinely comfortable:

• Private gardens and terraces
• Wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces for cosy evenings
• Well-equipped kitchens for proper home cooking
• Holiday homes with a pool for warmer spells and family stays
• Reliable Wi-Fi and parking - essential holiday practicalities

Pet-friendly homes are widely available too, so even dogs can enjoy holidays.

What are the best areas to stay in England?

The best base depends on what you are after: London for culture and nightlife, the coast for beaches, or the countryside for walking and quiet. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests regularly highlight thoughtful welcome touches, spotless interiors and superb locations close to beaches, fells and city centres. Many travellers are happy to return to the same cottage or lodge year after year.

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

1. Gylly - 10.0: A welcoming chalet for four in Cornwall, praised for its peaceful setting and easy reach of the South West's beaches and coastal paths.
2. The Waterside - 10.0: A charming waterside cottage for two in Medway, loved for its tranquil outlook and comfortable, well-kept interior near the Kent coast.
3. Seabreeze - 10.0: A cosy cottage for two in Walcott with a pretty garden and sea views, ideal for a quiet Norfolk-coast escape close to sandy beaches.

England is the largest nation of the United Kingdom, occupying the southern and central part of the island of Great Britain, bordered by Wales to the west and Scotland to the north.

✈️What is the best way to get to England?

Getting to England is straightforward, with options by air, rail and road. Here are the most common ways to reach the country:

• Plane: England is served by major international airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, as well as Manchester and Birmingham further north. From the capital's airports, the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and frequent rail and coach services carry you into central London in well under an hour.
• Train: A fast, scenic option is the train. The Eurostar links London St Pancras with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, whilst a comprehensive domestic network connects London with York, the Lake District, Cornwall and beyond.
• Car: Driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. England's motorway network, the M1, M5, M6 and M25 among others, links the major cities, and ferries from mainland Europe dock at Dover, Portsmouth and Newhaven. Remember to drive on the left.

🥗Where to eat in England?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Core by Clare Smyth is among the best-rated restaurants in England. Below is a table showing five highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Lucy and Ben recommend Hawksmoor in London: they loved the dry-aged British beef and the proper Sunday roast, calling it the perfect treat after a day of sightseeing in the city.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

England is a year-round destination, but late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are arguably the sweet spot: the weather is mild, the days are long and the crowds are thinner than at the height of summer. For festivals and beach days, aim for July and August; for cosy fireside breaks, the winter months are hard to beat.

Spring

• Best for: gardens, blossom and quieter sightseeing
• Weather: mild and changeable, with bright spells and the odd shower
• Atmosphere: fresh and uncrowded, with the countryside bursting into colour

Summer

• Best for: beaches, festivals and long days out
• Weather: the warmest of the year, generally dry though never guaranteed
• Atmosphere: lively and busy, especially at the coast and major events

Autumn

• Best for: countryside walks, golden colours and lower rates
• Weather: cooler and crisper, with clear days between the showers
• Atmosphere: relaxed and scenic, as the summer crowds thin out

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our England local expert, Sarah of Otters Holt, recommends exploring Dartmoor National Park, with its wild moorland, granite tors and pretty villages that are perfect for a day's walking. You can read more about local tips on Sarah's page.

1. Soak up the energy of London
2. Walk the Cornish coast
3. Step back in time at Stonehenge and Bath
4. Hike the fells of the Lake District
5. Catch a summer festival

1. Soak up the energy of London

   England's capital is a destination in itself. Wander Covent Garden, the buzzing lanes of Soho and Chinatown before heading to world-class museums and galleries, many of them free. Stroll the Royal Parks, then ride a red double-decker bus past sights like Big Ben and the London Eye. Round off the day with a proper cuppa at Fortnum and Mason or a pint in a historic pub.

2. Walk the Cornish coast

   Down in the far south-west, Cornwall is the nation's favourite seaside escape. Follow stretches of the South West Coast Path for clifftop views, hidden coves and fishing villages such as Padstow and St Ives. Swim, surf or simply unwind on golden sands, then refuel with a freshly baked Cornish pasty or a plate of just-landed seafood by the harbour.

3. Step back in time at Stonehenge and Bath

   England's history runs deep. Marvel at Stonehenge, the prehistoric stone circle that has puzzled visitors for some 5,000 years, then head to the elegant Georgian city of Bath to see its remarkably preserved Roman baths. The great cathedrals of Durham, Canterbury and Winchester and the historic colleges of Oxford and Cambridge reward anyone with a soft spot for heritage.

4. Hike the fells of the Lake District

   For wild scenery, head north to the Lake District. England's largest national park is a patchwork of glassy lakes, green valleys and high fells laced with walking trails for every level. Hike to a summit for sweeping views, hop on a steamer across Windermere, or amble between pretty market towns and country pubs.

5. Catch a summer festival

   Whatever the season, there is nearly always a festival on somewhere in England. Dance through a summer weekend at the legendary Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival or Reading, where big-name artists share the bill with great street food.