English Holiday Cottages @ explorethecountry.com

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English Country Cottages  
 

Britain's premium holiday cottage provider - everything from romantic waterside retreats to magnificent castles. We offer it all.

cottages4you

 Here is a sample of Self Catering UK Holiday Cottages selected at random

 Click Property ref or Property Name to open a new page with

              detailed  property information - close to return to this page.

  • Click on  "Check price and availability" in the property details page to open the page where you select the Month and Duration.

  • Check out limitations for booking short stays less than 7 days.

  • Click on the Start Date and the price is displayed for the dates you select then go on to book online else phone cottages4you - click here for the phone numbers.

  • Please check the property details and price on the property details page as these notes below are a summary we have prepared for this page

  • When you check the price and availability check to see if the booking fee of £29.50 is additional - some cottages add the booking fee separately.

  • Click the location name to display a map of the area

  • Click Satellite for a satellite view of the area

  • Note: You can zoom in or out of the map or satellite display using your mouse button and you can also display detailed driving directions to or from the location by clicking "Get Directions" in the balloon pointing to the location.

Click to view property details for Cobbler's Cottage
Pretty corner in Cobblers Cottage North Newington, near Banbury (Sleeps 2).

Property ref

Property Name

Property Address

 

Sleeps

 
NM3 Jackdaws Stow-on-the-Wold - Gloucestershire - Images Satellite 4  
Dating from 1660, this charming, double-fronted stone cottage lies right in the heart of the popular village of Stow-on-the-Wold. One of a pair, it has been renovated to form a bright and spacious `home from home', and offers an excellent base from which to explore this delightful corner of the Cotswolds. Pleasant walks lead through the gently rolling countryside, dotted with the honey-coloured houses typical of this region. Stratford-upon-Avon lies within easy reach, while Warwick, Cheltenham Spa and Oxford are accessible in around half an hour. Venture slightly further afield for the Roman town and healing spa waters of Bath.

NJ5 Lavender Cottage Bourton-on-the-Water - Images  Satellite 4  
This 250-year-old Grade II listed cottage has been beautifully restored to a high standard to offer accommodation of great charm and comfort. The end of a row of three in a secluded courtyard (attached to the owners' farmhouse), it is set at the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, a picturesque village with elegant bridges spanning the River Windrush. With a pretty, enclosed shared garden, it is only 150yards from the river's banks and makes an excellent base for touring the Cotswolds. Beautiful country walks nearby. Riding and river fishing locally. Pub 200yards.

NH6 The Coach House Shipton-under-Wychwood  - Images Satellite 4  
Standing alone, within the lovely garden of a 17th-century Grade II listed house in the village, and originally part of the nearby Shipton Court Estate (one of the largest Jacobean houses in the country dating from 1603), this charming, refurbished Coach House lies within a conservation area in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers cosy and spacious accommodation, and its own peaceful garden. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds and on the edge of the village, it is both secluded and secure. Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are all close by, and Cirencester, Cheltenham, Stratford and Oxford all less than an hour away. Good restaurants, theatre, walking, antiques, riding, historic houses, together with golf, gardens and fishing are all easily accessible. Nearest of three village pubs, 100yards.

NYR Wheathill Cottage Cheltenham - Images  Satellite 6  
Occupying a superb position with wonderful rural views, yet within a mile or so of Cheltenham's elegant town centre, these delightful cottages have been created from a range of 19th-century barns and are furnished and equipped to high standards. All cottages enjoy a good choice of shared facilities including a covered heated swimming-pool, an all-weather tennis court and a croquet lawn. The cottages are well equipped, with an automatic washing machine, microwave oven and dishwasher, and each cottage has its own sitting-out area with patio and furniture. All the fascinating corners of the beautiful Regency spa town of Cheltenham are immediately to hand: there is an art gallery, a museum, tempting boutiques, antique shops, plentiful restaurants and inns.

16788 Vine Cottage Honington nr Shipston  - Images Satellite 6  
A charming and surprisingly spacious detached cottage in mature and well stocked gardens with large areas of tended lawn and wonderful views of surrounding countryside in this pretty village, superbly convenient for Stratford upon Avon and the Cotswolds. The cottage is in a small, peaceful residential lane and offers privacy and comfort for the whole family. There is so much to see and do in this delightful region with Blenheim Palace, Oxford, Warwick with its impressive castle, Stoneleigh (Royal Show). The interior is presented in good order and offers lots of extras for guests to enjoy including an extensive library of literature, history and politics. There is a huge collection of videos, mostly of older films, and including many classics. Once visited, families and friends will wish to return again and again - it is a particularly welcoming home in the most enviable location. Shops and pubs 2 miles.

BRN Fosker's Cottage Monks Eleigh, nr Lavenham, Suffolk  - Images Satellite 6  
This very attractive, traditional grade II listed village house is steeped in character with a thatched roof and an exceptionally pretty country cottage garden. It is situated in the heart of this picturesque village with its village green, outstanding pub and village stores. Numerous villages to visit locally with Lavenham, Long Melford, Clare and Kersey. Close to the two popular market towns of Hadleigh and Sudbury for their unique shops, tea rooms and good selection of eating houses. Colchester is only 20 miles, famous for its castle, zoo and good train links to London. There are excellent walking and riding opportunities in the area and for the boating enthusiast, access to the water in the rivers Stour and Orwell. Restaurant and pubs 50 yards.

17268 Old Forge Cottage Great Ashfield, Suffolk  - Images Satellite 6  
This Grade II listed semi-detached thatched cottage is steeped in character with inglenook fireplace and beams throughout. It is set in a pretty cottage garden with rambling rose arches and a mass of colourful plants. Set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside with numerous places of interest to visit locally. The historic market towns of Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Ipswich and Sudbury within easy driving distance, as are Newmarket for the races and Thetford Forest. Shop and pub 1 mile.

BOQ Dove Cottage Dalham, Newmarket, Suffolk  - Images Satellite 5-7  
This unique detached property is built around an original dovecote which forms the central part of the cottage in this superb area. Renovated to a high standard it provides cosy, comfortable and characterful accommodation, with beams, natural floors and an open fireplace. Set way back from the road, it sits in an elevated, quiet and peaceful location, just a short walk from the village pub. Ideally situated for the races at Newmarket, and there are excellent road links providing easy driving to Bury St Edmunds, Diss, Thetford, Cambridge, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Long Melfold and Lavenham for historical days out. Pub 50yards.

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BHK Church Cottage Elveden, nr Newmarket, Suffolk  - Images Satellite 6  
This charming 300-year-old thatched cottage enjoys a peaceful setting within the pretty village of Eriswell. Attractively refurbished to the E.T.C. `5Star' standard, it enjoys its own south-facing garden. For days out, Bury StEdmunds (12miles) offers good shops, an art gallery, and lovely river walks in the Abbey Gardens. Ely (19 miles), one-time home of Oliver Cromwell, boasts a magnificent cathedral, its Octagon tower visible for miles around. Top class horse racing at Newmarket 15miles. North Norfolk coast within an hour. Riding, tennis and golf locally.

BNZ The Old Bakehouse Coddenham, Suffolk - Images  Satellite 6  
   Standing on the edge of the pretty village of Coddenham, this delightful cottage has been recently converted from a 16th-century Grade II listed former bakery. Comfortable and well-equipped, it has its own secluded garden and lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Coddenham is an ideal base for visiting the picturesque Suffolk countryside, including Constable Country, Lavenham, Long Melford (for Kentwell and Long Melford Halls), Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Thetford Forest and Heritage coastline.

Standard Information (Links to an external website will open a new page - close to return to this page): 

  • You may like to check out our main holiday planning page on our website as it contains links to many good websites for planning a holiday

  • We have a group of pages dedicated to planning a holiday in the UK - you may like to check these out

  • Click here to open page that lists some of the parts of the UK we have returned to many times.

  • This link will open a website listing a broad range of events across the UK.

  • If you have a question about these cottages check out this page - it contains answers to many common questions about these cottages.

Rail Services throughout Britain and Europe Use this link to check out the nearest railway station to the location and purchase your tickets online.

 
Road Maps & Route Planner   -  This AA website gives you the ability to key in the departure location and the destination then display a printable itinerary of the best route to take, how long it will take to get there and service stations etc along the way. We recommend that you purchase a good copy of an English Road Map which you can refer to as you travel.

Check for other cottages in the area that interests you - drill down County, Town or Village and display.


Click the map on the right to select a county then a town or village from that county - when you select a town or village a display of cottages within 25 miles proximity will be displayed. You can then set The Proximity Radius, The Number of People,  the Start Date, and The Duration of your stay.

When you adjust these settings the display will refresh. The text "Approx XX.XX miles to" is the distance from the town or village you selected.


Click on a County, Scotland or Wales in the map that opens then click on a town or village name and display cottages within 25 miles radius - Close window to return

 

 

Leeds Castle has many events - this was one of them - Click to enlarge - click back button to return Leeds castle - click to enlarge - click back button to return Click to enlarge - click back button to return Click to enlarge - click back button to return Click to enlarge - click back button to return
Knights on Horses at Leeds Castle - Kent Cobblers Cottage - Banbury -Oxfordshire
We rented this Cottage in May 2007
Hidcote Gardens 
 Cotswolds

 

Click these thumbnail photographs to enlarge - click your back button to return


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Weekly bookings and limitations for booking short stays:

Bookings may be made for a duration of 2, 3, 4, 7, or 14 days (some cottage owners may choose not to offer the full range). Stays for 2, 3, and 4 nights are regarded as short stays. Stays of up to one month may be available for some cottages please phone cottages4you direct for more information.

Most weekly bookings run from Saturday to Saturday, unless the property indicates otherwise. Where accepted, 2 night breaks start on a Friday or Saturday, 3 night breaks on a Friday and 4 night midweek breaks start on a Monday.

Bookings for short stays that fall during a public holiday may only be made within 28 days of the public holiday. Bookings for 7 or 14 days where the stay dates include a public holiday may be made at any time. Click here for a list of public holiday dates in England, Wales and Northern Island.

If you wish you can complete your Booking by Phone directly with cottages4you (Holiday Cottages Group Limited):

   Select your cottage and get the Property Reference number online, then phone and make your booking

   -  From within the UK call Cottages4you direct on their UK phone number: 0870 192 1206.

   -  If you are calling from outside England use the Country Code plus 1282 846763. From New Zealand we would call 0044 1282 846763.


 

Terms for changes to your booking and cancellations