When the sun shines, there’s no better place to be than basking under its warming glow like a lizard warming in the midday sun. Whether its beach days or sun-drenched strolls through the countryside, days spent in the fresh air are a tonic we just can’t get enough of. The best part? Making the most of glorious days when we return to our home from home, as we swap dining rooms for terraces and patios and let the good times roll with a spot of alfresco dining.
From platters laden with deli favourites to the smoky delights of a BBQ, there’s just something extra fun about eating outside under the sun or stars. The alfresco opportunities don’t end with dining, either, as we have Cornish cottages with coastal views and steamy stays with bubbling hot tubs for that extra special post-dinner dip, and a whole host of cottages with dreamy gardens the whole family can enjoy.
Ready to throw open the doors and dine as nature intended? Here are some of our top cottages for dining alfresco.
Pen Den Har
Kingsand, Cornwall | Sleeps 12
Best for: Spellbinding sea views
Perched atop the oh-so-pretty twinned villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, Pen Den Har is perfectly placed for dinner with a view - and what a view it is! With glittering seas and South Cornwall’s magical coast unfurling before you, there’s nowhere better to sit back and unwind. A group of comfy garden chairs is laid out for your morning coffee, while the long outdoor table promises memorable meals beneath balmy skies. Walk into town to pick up some goodies from the deli, then spend long afternoons eating, chatting, and soaking up the scene that surrounds you.
Broyle Cottage
Hailsham, Sussex | Sleeps 6
Best for: Quintessential garden aesthetics
It’s official: we’re obsessed with the garden at Broyle Cottage. Full of life and colour, this cottage garden invites you to spend as much time outside as you can, whether that’s wandering around the flower-lined paths or dining alfresco beneath the pergola. We have to agree with the statement sign, it’s the perfect place to eat! Light the BBQ for winsome alfresco feasts, or simply sit back with a coffee and a wedge of cake for a blissfully slow afternoon in your own personal haven. There are some wonderful farm shops nearby where you can find all manner of local delights.
The Bowjy
Looe, Cornwall | Sleeps 8
Best for: Year-round outdoor cooking
Whether you fancy summertime celebrations or winter warmers (marshmallows are a must), The Bowjy’s incredible outdoor kitchen has everything you need for an unforgettable stay. Covered and with a fabulous brick fireplace for cosy vibes, you cook up a storm in any weather. The built-in BBQ promises toothsome treats aplenty, while the wine fridge ensures your whistle is well and truly wetted. There are several outdoor tables where you can enjoy the fruits of your labour, with a hot tub perfectly positioned for an evening of bubbles and stargazing.
The Retreat
Crickhowell, Powys | Sleeps 10
Best for: Celebrations
There are many aspects of The Retreat we could shout about; it’s a magical complex made up of three luxurious barn conversions, each cottage has its own delightful private garden, and there’s a swim spa for relaxing moments beneath the stars. Our favourite bit, though? With a word to the owners, you can get access to the fabulous cocktail bar, which is made from a converted horsebox. Gather friends and family, fire up the BBQ, and spend your days clinking glasses and toasting to good times.
Abelwood Lodge
Clovelly, Devon | Sleeps 6
Best for: Waterside reveries
Full of little characterful quirks throughout, from wooden beams to the wonderful corner wood-burner, Abelwood Lodge has certainly stolen a piece of our heart. We’re particularly in love with the outside spaces, which take in glorious views across the lake and rolling countryside beyond. A large sliding door welcomes the outdoors in, or you can take your breakfast onto the decking outside. For an extra dose of alfresco fun, head down to the water’s edge where another table awaits, alongside a firepit surrounded by quirky wooden stalls - perfect for toasting marshmallows into the night!
Wickings
Ventnor, Isle of Wight | Sleeps 6
Best for: Pizza nights
A stone’s throw from the sea, dog-friendly Wickings in Ventnor is made for alfresco fun, whether you fancy breakfast on the balcony, lunch overlooking the ocean, or an evening of wood-fired pizza on the patio, where a lovely pond adds to the ambience. The beautiful staggered garden is perfect for spontaneous picnics in the sun too. Oh, and did we mention the hot tub? Round out your perfect day with a soothing soak before heading to bed, ready to do it all again.
Na Mara Bothy
Oban, Argyll and Bute | Sleeps 2
Best for: Secluded suppers
If you’re in need of a digital detox, there’s nowhere that does it better than Na Mara Bothy in Argyll and Bute. A bewitching traditional croft with oodles of character and zero electricity, it’s the perfect place to hit pause and sink into a slower pace of life. A fire pit promises relaxed suppers gazing out to sea, while the nearby beach invites you to pack up a picnic to enjoy on its sandy shores, which you have all to yourself. And when the day draws to a close, the dreamy wood-fired outdoor bath beckons for blissful soaks surrounded by misty mountain peaks.
Varcoe
Portscatho, Cornwall | Sleeps 10
Best for: Breakfasts by the beach
With the serene waters of South Cornwall right on your doorstep, you can look forward to the quiet brush of lapping waters along the shore as you enjoy your alfresco meals on the sun-drenched terrace at Varcoe. Your waterside location in Portscatho also makes this dreamy cottage perfect for pre-breakfast dips – after all, nothing quite whets the appetite like a swim in the ocean! Sleeping 10 lucky guests, this fabulously large cottage is great for groups looking for a peaceful retreat that’s within easy reach of the idylls of the Roseland Peninsula.
Park Farm Cottage
Malmesbury, The Cotswolds | Sleeps 8
Best for: Dog-friendly delights
Enjoying an enclosed garden and plenty of space for leg-stretching (whether two or four), Park Farm Cottage in Malmesbury has an outdoor garden the whole family will love. Settle down at the outdoor table with a glass in hand while the spectacular BBQ does its thing, or explore the garden with the dog in tow and discover its many hidden secrets, from wigwams to orchards. Alongside pretty villages and rural wanders, the Cotswolds is famed for its rustic farm shops and bustling markets, giving you plenty of choice when it comes to filling the patio table with local delicacies.
The Workshop
Malton, Yorkshire | Sleeps 4
Best for: Blissful breakfasts in the sun
Where better to embrace the alfresco lifestyle than Yorkshire’s food capital? Known far and wide for its eateries, as well as its markets and annual food festival, Malton is the place to be to inspire a button-popping spread. Whether you fancy a slap-up Sunday roast in the sun or a picky tea consisting of every cheese you can get your hands on from the local farm shops (and some glorious home-grown Yorkshire wines), the pretty courtyard at The Workshop makes for a rather spectacular setting – especially in summer when the hydrangeas are in full swing. Situated in North Yorkshire, there are plenty of fun things to fill your days with, from the rolling beauty of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the family-friendly delights of Flamingo Land.
Create a memorable holiday full of fresh air feasting with one of our beautiful holiday cottages across the UK. You just can’t beat alfresco dining for a meal to remember!
