Unhurried mornings at your own pace with a coffee in hand, afternoons that drift into evenings as you explore hidden corners of the UK, and nights filled with starry skies uninterrupted by street lights, there’s just something extra special about a secluded holiday cottage.
Unplug for the day as you head out to take in the many wonderful landmarks and villages that surround you, or linger in your home-from-home with a good book and nowhere to be.
However you like to spend your time, these beautiful towns and villages are the perfect antidote to the everyday. Historic streets lined with quaint cottages, National Parks and Landscapes wrapping around the fringes, and cosy pubs promising soul-warming fare - we can’t resist the pull of a cottage stay somewhere peaceful.
Does this sound like a little slice of heaven? Explore these secluded destinations for an oh-so-quiet holiday you won’t want to end…
St Just, Cornwall
If you’re looking for a quiet holiday in Cornwall, you can’t go wrong with the far west, where ancient moorland and rugged coastline await. Of course, this captivating corner of the county is full of many popular destinations, such as St Michael’s Mount, Minack Theatre, and Land’s End, but tucked away between these iconic landmarks lie pretty towns, villages, and hamlets waiting to be explored. A stone’s throw from the action, yet wonderfully tranquil, St Just is the perfect blend of peace and adventure.
The town itself promises a chocolate-box vibe, with a scattering of cafés, pubs, and a rather tempting deli ensuring you can still treat yourself while on holiday. For a moment of quiet contemplation, the Jackson Foundation Gallery invites you to discover an incredible array of contemporary exhibitions exploring how art intersects with the natural world. Inspired? Lace up your walking boots and head out onto the South West Coast Path to experience Cornwall’s rich landscapes for yourself. With the wild Tin Coast on your doorstep, alongside magical places like Cape Cornwall and Cot Valley, it’s blissfully easy to get lost in nature here.
Benbecula, Outer Hebrides
We’ll be honest, it’s hard picking just one place for a secluded stay in Scotland, as the whole country is peppered with wonderfully remote spots that promise peace, quiet, and oodles of tranquillity. In the end, we had to go with our hearts, which led us to the beautiful Isle of Benbecula. A part of the Outer Hebrides' sprawling patchwork of archipelagos, this rugged island promises a winsome destination for your next holiday.
There is a myriad of things to see and do here, with the island’s sprawling landscape perfect for walking and a series of pristine white beaches lining the western edges. On the east, a collection of lochs and lochans make for some great wildlife watching, or you can simply roll out a blanket and sit and bask in your storybook surroundings. For a fascinating day out, why not hop over to North Uist, where one of the best distilleries in Scotland awaits.
Snettisham, Norfolk
With its russet coast, great sandy beaches, and extensive wildlife watching opportunities, Norfolk is the perfect destination for those seeking a quieter stay. While bigger towns such as Hunstanton and King’s Lynn promise a vibrant atmosphere, the pretty village of Snettisham beckons for a peaceful break ideal for couples and families wanting to disconnect from the everyday for a little while.
While the village itself boasts a charming array of red-bricked cottages and welcoming pubs, it’s the local RSPB reserve that really sets the village apart. Home to an expansive blend of salt marsh, lagoons, and mudflats, this oasis of calm is a must-visit for any twitchers out there. Visiting in late summer and early winter will reward you with tens of thousands of wading birds roosting across the flats, putting on incredible displays as they arrive. If you wait until the winter months to visit, you can watch thousands of pink-footed geese pause here during their journey to Greenland, adding their feathery formations to the early morning skies.
Cockermouth, Cumbria
In Cumbria, the Lake District National Park is a beacon of natural beauty and adventure. Nestled on the edge of the park’s northern reaches, Cockermouth is often regarded as the gateway to the lakes, unlocking a tapestry of glassy lakes and undulating mountains. A pretty market town, Cockermouth offers a quieter alternative to some of the park’s busier destinations, while still offering a vibrant selection of independent shops and eateries, not to mention Wordsworth House and Garden, the birthplace of William Wordsworth.
Of course, the real draw here is the Lakes, where an array of activities await. Fill your days with winsome walks through Whinlatter Forest, hike to see the incredible Castlerigg Stone Circle, and spend blissful hours on the water, whether you prefer the ease of a cruise or the satisfaction of touring under your own steam. Although a stone’s throw from some of the park’s bigger attractions like Buttermere and Aira Force, you’re also close to some rather spectacular hidden gems. Visit Thirlmere for a magical natural infinity pool, or Ennerdale Water for a merry mix of views and wildlife.
Alnmouth and Alnwick, Northumberland
A county of wide-open spaces and sprawling coastlines, Northumberland goes all out when it comes to stunning scenery. For a blend of country and coast, the pretty village of Alnmouth and the picturesque market town of Alnwick are magical places to unwind. Both are steeped in history, with Alnwick Castle, one of the many famous Harry Potter filming locations in the UK, and St Cuthbert’s Cross just two of the many fascinating places to explore.
For a storybook day out, we recommend visiting The Alnwick Garden, where cherry blossom orchards, treehouse restaurants, and the famous poison garden await. Of course, if it’s space and seclusion you seek, Northumberland National Park is the perfect place to explore. It’s the least inhabited National Park in the UK, at least by humans. Wildlife, on the other hand, flourishes across the park, making the most of the expansive habitats that thrive here.
Crickhowell, Powys
Surrounded by patchwork fields and the hazy silhouette of the Black Mountains, Crickhowell in the picturesque Usk Valley is a wonderfully secluded holiday destination. With the Brecon Beacons National Park on your doorstep, you’re perfectly placed for a walking adventure. Enjoy mesmerising treks up Sugar Loaf or Tor y Foel, or take a short drive to the foot of Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain, for a truly memorable climb.
Tucked away in the north-west reaches of the park, Hay-on-Wye is a must for book lovers. The colourful market town is brimming with second-hand book and antique shops and hosts one of the best literary festivals in the UK in the spring. For a truly romantic day out in the wilds of Powys, hire a boat or canoe and explore the winding waterways that surround you. From the River Wye to the Monmouthshire Canal, there’s no better way to escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday.
Alfriston, Sussex
Positively oozing history, East Sussex is a true playground for culture-seekers and historians. Tucked away in the South Downs National Park, Alfriston is a picture-perfect village that beckons for peaceful rural retreats. Ancient narrow streets wind through the village, home to a superb collection of shops and cafés, while the Cuckmere River flows past, adding its tranquil visage to the scenes.
For a romantic day out, why not pay a visit to Rathfinny Wine Estate for a tour and a tasting? Or, head to the coast for a spellbinding stroll along the Seven Sisters, one of the most spectacular landmarks in the county. Alfriston is home to the very first property to come under the care of the National Trust, so a visit to Alfriston Clergy House is always an interesting stop during your travels around East Sussex.
Brighstone, Isle of Wight
An island that moves at its own pace, the Isle of Wight is already pretty perfect for quiet holidays, but there’s one idyllic village that goes above and beyond for tranquillity. Set within the Isle of Wight National Landscape, Brighstone paints a truly captivating picture, with thatched cottages and panoramic views crafting an enchanting setting for your stay.
The coast lies within stone-skipping distance, inviting you to visit one of the island’s most breathtaking natural landmarks, The Needles. Walk along chalky cliffs, marvel at the rock stacks rising from the ocean, and explore the intriguing Old Battery, a fascinating former military fort. Behind you, rolling fields promise a beautiful background to your secluded adventures, with local pubs, cafés, and restaurants tempting you in for a winsome refuel as you go.
Muker, Yorkshire
In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find the pretty village of Muker. Traditional stone cottages set the scene here, all backed by the peaceful hills and moors of the Dales, for an escape that feels completely removed from the everyday. Muker is well placed for exploring some of the area’s most beloved sights and sites, whether you want to ramble across Great Shunner Fell, try some cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery, or marvel at the tiered falls at Aysgarth (Muker is actually surrounded by some of the best waterfalls in Yorkshire, so you’re perfectly placed to bask in the majesty of nature).
When your day chasing waterfalls draws to a close, we recommend heading north for a bite to eat at Britain’s highest pub, Tan Hill Inn. Not only do they serve incredible roasts, but the views, as to be expected, are unforgettable.
Ready to leave the world behind for a while? Explore our beautiful holiday cottages across the UK for a magical stay you won’t forget (but will probably want to repeat).
