Cottages & villa rentals ★★☆
A place to call your own for the night or the week—renting a cottage, house, or villa in the U.K.
Whenever I hear the word "cottage" I picture a little daub-and-wattle four-room house in a dell somewhere (not quite sure what a "dell" is, but it's the sort of place where one expects to find a cottage).
This archetypal cottage in my mind has a charmingly overgrown kitchen garden and a peaked roof made of thatch, and it is inhabited by either a kindly lady of indeterminate years and a rosy smile and/or a wicked witch. Sort of half Beatrix Potter, half Brothers Grimm.
Of course, self-catering cottages in Britain come in all shapes and sizes, from modern semi-detached homes in the 'burbs to veritable mansions in the country—and yes, plenty of modest little farmhouses in dells. Wicked witches are optional.
What you get with a rental cottage in the U.K.
Cottages are almost always self-catering, a fancy way of saying no one comes by to change the sheets each day and make you breakfast as would happen in a hotel—though some cottages do come with regular (usually weekly) maid service.
Most cottages and vacation homes are rented by the week, some by the month, but plenty are also available in smaller increments down to about a three-night minimum.
In any event, cottages afford a great way to get out and live the local life for a spell and adapt to the rhythms of rural life in Europe.
You can use your temporary home as a base for bombing around country lanes seeing the local sights, getting to know the local shopkeeps and becoming a regular at the village pub, or simply to sit around, relaxing with your view of the kitchen garden crawling with gnomes and fat little German children searching for gingerbread architecture (sorry, just can't shake that fairy tale imagery).
A cottage by any other name...
The difference between a cottage and a villa is largely one of semantics.
Some might call it a holiday home or self-catering rental.
I just think "cottage" sounds coziest.
- Vrbo.com -
VRBO stands for "Vacation Rentals By Owner," a worldwide virtual classifieds section devoted to villas, apartments, cottages, houses, and other places to lay your head fromas little as $400 per week in England. Thre are a stunning 33,761 properties available in England, 4,896 in Scotland, and 5,123 in Wales.
Though designed to allow villa and vacation home owners to rent to the public directly—ostensibly cutting out the extra costs involved in working through a middle-man rental agency—in my experience plenty of small-fry local rental agencies use it as well (not that there's anything wrong with renting through those folks; just wanted to let you know that not every property listed is truly direct from the owner).
Partner - Booking.com - A whopping 10,200 cottages, villas, and rental homes across the U.K.Partner
- Cottages.com - Premier organization (part of the Wyndham family) with more than 11,000 temporary homes on tap in England, 2,200 in Scotland, and 1,500 in Wales.
- English-country-cottages.co.uk - Premier organization with more than 3,000 temporary homes on tap in England (think: Lake District or Cotswolds), Scotland, and Wales
- Rentalo.com - Another sizeable database for one-stop shopping, with more than 2,600 properties across the U.K. They also handle everything from standard hotels to B&Bs, agriturism, and even castles.Partner
- Nationaltrust.org.uk - Some 417 properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, almost all of them of historic or architectural import or in terribly scenic areas that the National Trust is helping preserve. This is the very highest quality stuff, folks, but you do pay for such selectivity. Still, there are some great deals.
- Living-architecture.com - A non-profit with the quriky mission of commissioning top architects to design bold new living spaces across Britain—and then renting them out. A balancing barn cantilevered over a ridge near the Suffolk Coast? Check. A houseboat moored to the roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London? Also check. Just seven properties currently, but some stunners.
- Belvilla.com - 386 holiday cottages across the U.K., with the preponderence in Kent.Partner
- Scottish-country-cottages.co.uk - Sister site to the "English Country Cottages," with nearly 400 options whether you want a house on the outskirts of Edinburgh or a cottage lost in the Highlands.
- Homeaway.com - So many places it doesn't even bother listing rentals past the first 5,000—and that's just in London.Partner
- Vrbo.com -
VRBO stands for "Vacation Rentals By Owner," a worldwide virtual classifieds section devoted to villas, apartments, cottages, houses, and other places to lay your head fromas little as $400 per week in England. There are a stunning 33,761 properties available in England, 4,896 in Scotland, and 5,123 in Wales.
Though designed to allow villa and vacation home owners to rent to the public directly—ostensibly cutting out the extra costs involved in working through a middle-man rental agency—in my experience plenty of small-fry local rental agencies use it as well (not that there's anything wrong with renting through those folks; just wanted to let you know that not every property listed is truly direct from the owner).
Partner - Booking.com - More than 10,800 apartments across the United Kingdom, including more than 4,300 in London.Partner
- Rentalo.com - Another sizeable database for one-stop shopping, with more than 2,600 properties across the U.K. They also handle everything from standard hotels to B&Bs, agriturism, and even castles.Partner
- Hotels.com - Good generalist booking engine with plenty of "Apartments" options in the filter screens for each destination.Partner
- Interhomeusa.com - 966 rentals in the U.K., of which 212 in London. Partner
- Villasintl.com - Around 770 rental homes and flats of all sizes across the U.K., mostly in England (561 in London) with about 100 in Scotland.
- Belvilla.com - 386 holiday cottages across the U.K., inlcuding 15 flats and homes in London.Partner
- Airbnb.com - Tens of thousands of listings—but caveat emptor. Anyone can post a listing, so trust only the ones with lots of reviews.
Tips
- Week-long rentals are typical, though some homes are available for two or three nights at a time, especially in the off-season (winter).
- Peak season is roughly Easter through October, plus Christmas season (Dec 15–Jan 6).
- Advanced reservations are essential. For summer high season, it's best to book several months, or even a full year, ahead.
- Every owner bends the rules sometimes, so even if a website states that a cottage only rents by the week or longer, or that rates are completely nonnegotiable, it never hurts to inquire about flexibility. Small agencies and owners who rent one or two properties are particularly likely to bargain during slower periods.
- Bait and switch is pervasive when booking through an agency (as opposed to direct from the owner)—whether intentional or because online databases aren't updated to reflect actual availability. Double-check that the villa you want is the villa you're getting. If the agency offers an alternative, make sure it's up to snuff and reasonably priced.
- A deposit may be necessary to hold your reservation. The amount varies: It might be the equivalent of one night's stay; it might be 30 to 50 percent of the total; it might be something totally different. The balance is usually due 6 to 20 days prior to arrival.
- Bank wire transfers are required to rent some homes, particularly direct-from-owner (agencies will usually let you use a credit card). If you're renting abroad, note that banks in the U.S. charge $30–$50 for an international transfer, and it'll take three to five business days to process.
- Taxes, utilities, and an initial and final cleaning fee are frequently included in the quoted price, but that's not always the case, so ask. If the apartment has a phone, inquire whether local calls cost extra.
- Expect to pay a deposit against potential damages, either through a hold on your credit card or in cash to the person who gives you the keys. The money will be refunded when you check out.
- Cancellation policies vary, with refunds given on a sliding scale, meaning less money is returned the later that you cancel. The deposit is rarely refundable, though you may be able to get some of the money back if you cancel far in advance.
- A representative will usually meet you at the cottage—though sometimes at a major landmark, train station, their own downtown office, or the local bus stop nearest the house at a prearranged time. He or she will lead you to the rental, show you the ropes (which keys fit which locks, location of the fuse box), point out nearby markets and cafés, and provide a local number to call if you have questions.
- Most kitchens come fully equipped, but double-check that this is the case if you plan on cooking. Before heading to the market, look in the cabinets. There are often some cooking staples (salt, sugar, pasta, tea, oil) left by former guests.
- Towels and linens are typically provided, but bring your own soap, shampoo, and toiletries; this is not a hotel.
- Cleaning service is rare, though a few rentals offer cleaning every three days or so. Remember: You're living like a local, which includes taking out the trash and recycling. Your host will provide a schedule.
