Discover Unique and Stylish Holiday Rentals in the Cotswolds, UK
Anyone who has ever coveted the kind of English countryside seen on fancy biscuit tins will be in heaven in the Cotswolds. This green landscape covers a generous chunk of Southwest England and attracts scores of visitors each year, looking for the chance to walk in the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Holiday rentals provide a home-from-home feel, and, here, we’ve boiled it down to our best picks of holiday lets and cottages to rent in the Cotswolds – now bookable with Culture Trip.
Price & Weeks – Heart of Bath
Apartment
If you plan on letting your worries drift away as you unwind in comfort, then this Bath holiday apartment will absolutely spoil you. Naturally, this one-bedroom holiday home has its own bath for a good soak, but it’s far from the only place to submerge yourself in town. Within a 15-minute walk, you’ll ease your body into the waters of the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa.
Vineyards
Apartment
Explore Bath with ease from this two-bedroom apartment. Two double beds and an additional double sofa bed are ideal for three couples or a small family. You could fill a weekend visiting the Museum of East Asian Art, Fashion Museum and Museum of Bath at Work without being more than two blocks from the apartment. This lovely Bath holiday rental also includes a fully equipped kitchen for breaking bread with old friends.
Elliot Oliver – Stylish 2-Bedroom Town-Centre Apartment
Apartment
Trotting off to a horse race? This stylish two-bedroom holiday rental in Cheltenham is a great option for a self-catered stay. A kitchenette will suffice for simple meals, as there are nearly a dozen restaurants and cafes within a block of the apartment. An eight-minute drive will get you to the Cheltenham Racecourse fast – just as long as it will take you on foot to get to the beautiful Pittville Park.
Wyatt House
Apartment, Villa
Give the family a relaxed weekend in Upper Town at this Bath holiday home. This one-bedroom home has four beds and amenities for children, including a crib and toys. Spend the afternoon playing putt-putt and running around Royal Victoria Park. The Wyatt House has a fully equipped kitchen, which means you can stay in for dinner and use the money saved to take the kids downtown for a few scoops of ice cream.
Stylish New England Lakeside Retreat in the Cotswold Water Park
Apartment, Cottages
Describing this apartment as “lakeside” is an understatement. This rental cottage in the Cotswold Water Park surrounds you with a vast lake system full of fun and relaxation. This home has six bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen, but the gem of the unit is naturally the terrace with water views. The beach, park and paintball field are all only a few minutes away by car. While the others head out for a day of action, feel free to turn on the hot water, and take a snooze in the soaking tub.
Sandford Street
Apartment
This lovely one-bedroom Cheltenham holiday rental is picture-perfect. Stark white rooms, appliances and woodwork are offset with playful pops of colour that blend fun and refinement. The earthy tones and lush greenery of the outdoor terrace beautifully contrast with the interior. For more serene surroundings, Sandford Park is a five-minute walk away and has plenty of short trails to explore. Should the rain try to damper your day, a few hours by the fireplace and matinee tickets to the Cheltenham Playhouse will brighten it up.
Dove House Cottage 1
Cottages
Dove House is just a 15-minute drive northwest of Oxford, situated perfectly to offer easy access to the wilds of the Cotswolds. The old bones of this Cotswolds rental cottage blend stylishly with modern features such as the granite-topped kitchen island and high-spec bathrooms, while the quaint courtyard makes for lovely breakfast environs. The nearby village of Witney is not far by car – you can easily while away an afternoon exploring the high street, 12th-century church and Medieval-era buttercross.
Cove – West India House
Apartment
If you want to pair countryside rambles with city culture, then consider opting for a Bristol getaway instead. The cultural hub offers quick routes to the great outdoors, and a stay at the Cove – housed in a Grade II-listed Edwardian building – puts you next door to the Old City. The studios and one-bedroom units here make good pads for couples. Complimentary snacks, basic kitchen supplies and toiletries are provided, plus the staff are readily available to advise you on how to make the most of your time.
Townhouse of Bath
Apartment
With three bedrooms and room for up to 10, this central townhouse is a good choice for groups of friends and large families. Even at full capacity, you won’t feel cramped; the large living room has plenty of space for everyone to get comfy – perhaps, to watch a film or two on the giant flat-screen TV – while the open-plan kitchen is big enough for everyone to get stuck into the cooking.
Portland Apartments
Apartment
Cheltenham is famed for its racecourse, but it also boasts attractions like the palatial Pittville Park and nearby Sudeley Castle. It’s all easily accessible from Portland Apartments, a block of 10 Cheltenham holiday apartments with their own idiosyncratic design, kitchens and cosy living spaces. If you’re not one for big breakfasts, you’ll be pleased to know the housekeeping staff stock rooms with snacks that you can stuff into your pockets before heading out for the day.
Greyfield Farm Cottages
Cottages
Greyfield Farm is just next to High Littleton, a parish village sandwiched between the Cotswolds and the AONB-designated district of Mendip. The site is home to five cottages to rent in the Cotswolds of varying sizes, sleeping between two and four. All come with wood-burning stoves, patio gardens with outdoor furniture and even an Xbox 360 in the living room. Dark wood and exposed stone accentuate the rustic feel of the place and pair nicely with the bucolic surroundings.
Looking for more stylish hotels for a relaxing stay in the Cotswolds? Check out our guide to the best hotels with jacuzzis to book in the Cotswolds, bookable with Culture Trip.
This is an updated version of an article originally by Callum Davies.