THE 10 BEST Countryside Retreats for 2026 2027
The standards of comfort and furnishings at our holiday cottages will be second-to-none, and the surroundings truly superb. The Rural Retreats portfolio represents the best luxury self-catering holiday cottages across the UK. Choose from over 800 elegant, hand-picked holiday homes, each one carefully selected to meet our high standards of comfort.
Are rural retreats in the UK suitable for dog-friendly stays?
- Learn how to use direct contacts to compare prices, confirm pet and family policies, and secure the best Derbyshire retreats.
- We have over 450 dog-friendly self-catering properties, where you can all enjoy a comfortable and relaxing break in the heart of the British countryside.
- Whether you are looking for a couples rural retreat or a family farm cottage to rent, we have a great selection.
- From the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and Yorkshire to the lakes, valleys and wild landscapes of Scotland, the UK offers an extraordinary variety of rural destinations.
From rolling countryside and wooded valleys to wild coastal farmland, each setting feels quietly removed from the everyday. Country retreats are a great way to lift the spirits, where you can take advantage of the glorious British countryside on foot or horseback and breathe in the earthy air, away from distractions. Ranging from rustic abodes with crackling woodburning stoves and exposed beam ceilings to contemporary builds with a stylish interior, the list is endless with rural retreats cottages. Quainter locations benefit from friendly, traditional pubs to truly soak in the culture, and you can explore the sleepy hamlets to discover unique shops. For more ideas on how to spend your holiday, browse our UK travel guide. Whether you are searching for a rural hideaway for a couple’s holiday for two next to fields and farmlands, a luxury woodland rental maybe with a hot tub, or a quirky escape set next to meadows and wildflowers, Britain is home to a great choice of countryside escapes.
Where are the best destinations for countryside holidays in the UK?
This really rural retreat features yoga and hiking, rest and relaxation, at the peaceful and highly rated Seven Springs Retreat Center. Explore the Pines Grantown on Spey at The Pines House, a private Highland villa in Cairngorms National Park offering self catering comfort, gardens and walking routes. Discover why calling Peak District accommodation phone numbers is essential for luxury countryside stays. Learn how to use direct contacts to compare prices, confirm pet and family policies, and secure the best Derbyshire retreats. Whether you’re seeking adventure, fresh sea air, or simply a quiet place to unwind, our cottages offer the ideal base for a memorable stay in one of England’s most beautiful and unspoilt regions. With room for everyone under one roof, these properties provide a setting where time together feels relaxed, comfortable and uninterrupted, with plenty to do onsite and generous entertaining space.
Set within quiet rural surroundings, they offer privacy, space and the freedom for each stay to unfold naturally. Idyllic sleeps 3 rural retreat in a superb country location and with beautiful views over the Derwent Valley, situated just outside of the Peak District National Park and close to Matlock. Stylish 2 bedroom pet-friendly coastal holiday rental with sea views close to Salcombe, wake up to sea views every day on holiday in beautiful Devon.
Review of 5 Day Wellness & Detox Retreat in the Beautiful Countryside, UK by Dawn
While many of our rural retreats are designed for couples and smaller escapes, this collection also includes a number of larger homes suited to group travel. These exclusive-use properties are ideal for larger groups, offering generous entertaining spaces, multiple bedrooms and layouts designed for shared stays. Many sleep 10+ guests, making them well suited to family gatherings, celebrations and weekends away with friends. For quintessentially British villages with rolling countryside, explore the charming Cotswolds and get inspiration on where to stay in the Cotswolds here. To delve into the history of the UK, roam the ancient meadows of the wonderful Northumberland countryside, home to sweeping forests and enchanting sites. As dog-lovers ourselves, we know how important a four-legged-friend really is.
I think even a converted outhouse would draw rapt attention if an architect and interior designer added a thatched roof, lime wood, and natural linen with floral curtains and positioned it by meandering country paths and rolling hills. If you're short on time but need a break from your daily routine, this 3-day retreat in Woodinville might give you the respite you need to reset your mind and bring all your newfound knowledge back to the "real" world. What truly sets this retreat apart is the amazing lakeside cottage that hosts John & Beth have called home since 1978. It's a cosy haven that truly captivates that home away from home feeling, making it the perfect place to relax and dive deeper into your meditation practice.
Discover how to match guest numbers with the right Norfolk Broads and Norwich venues, from riverside hotels to countryside conference centres, with clear capacity guidance and examples. Explore the collection to find a stay that suits your pace, your setting and the time you want to spend away. She's an excellent listener, helps you dig deep to the road of healing.
The acomodation was very cosy, very clean, very quiet and peaceful. The place catered for all one's needs, and her hospitality made me feel very safe and relaxed. Please allow up to 7 days before you receive your first e-newsletter. Because, quite room with a terrace honestly, never has there been a time when the peace and quiet afforded by a whimsical English cottage is so very much needed and appreciated. It stopped at 6 o'clock and I spent a lot of nights hungry, you couldn't take food into your room so I couldn't order snacks earlier to take them up to my room for later. Of the different locations we have on our site, Iceland is definitely unique and not one we come across so often - this is not an opportunity to be missed.
By choosing our "Flexible" cancellation terms, you can cancel before midnight 7 full days before your check-in date and receive your money back (excluding the flexible cancellation fee and insurance). Choose our "Flexible" booking option and cancel at least a week before your check-in date to get a refund (exclusions apply). I chose this retreat as it seemed to focus really on wellbeing and mental health, changing negative thought patterns and improving self-belief, rather than traditional rest and relaxation or pampering retreats. I was going through a very difficult time in my life due to bereavement and relationship issues.
From helping you find the perfect retreat to taking care of you when things go wrong, we treat you like family. Imagine weekend countryside retreats filled with regional flair delicious meals, morning yoga practices, afternoon hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains, and playful evening workshops to cultivate mindfulness and creativity. I had so many accomplishments, feel so much better, more positive, healthier, happier. Many feature multiple reception rooms, generous dining areas and outdoor spaces that make them particularly well suited to longer stays in the countryside. From secluded cabins for two to larger country homes designed for gathering, each retreat offers space, privacy and a connection to the landscape. Stylish sleeps 2 eco-friendly lodge with magnificent loch views and its own rowing boat, ideal for an off-grid holiday in the Scottish Highlands.
I found it one day and it looked perfect, I didn't book then but I came back two weeks later and the sound bath and sweat lodge persuaded me to book. Ian and his team did everything possible to make this retreat enjoyable. Set in a lovely village beneath an ancient castle, along the banks of the river Tegas.I would love to return. John and Beth also offer a free day of silence if you're interested. Personally, I've found that embracing silence has helped me gain clarity in decision-making and take a much-needed break from all the noise around me.
We have over 450 dog-friendly self-catering properties, where you can all enjoy a comfortable and relaxing break in the heart of the British countryside. Such is our need for rural retreats offering greener pastures, literally and figuratively. Find top guest houses, beautiful rooms, breakfast options, and booking tips for your Oxfordshire trip.
Beautiful 5 star rated, 6 bedroom rural barn conversion set on a small complex in the Shropshire countryside, with access to an indoor swimming pool, multi-sport games area and play area for babies and toddlers. Whether you are looking for a couples rural retreat or a family farm cottage to rent, we have a great selection. Whichever of our rural holiday cottages for rent you choose, we know that you will find your perfect holiday home at Handpicked Cottages. Staying in a farm cottage or rural holiday property, you will find yourself slowing down the pace and appreciating the smaller details in life, from the warmth of the summer breeze to the sound of the morning birdsong. A rural setting is the perfect place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life and what better way to do so in one of our luxury countryside cottages. Many countryside retreats welcome dogs, particularly those set within open rural landscapes.
So, whether you’re planning a summer holiday by the sea or a cosy winter escape in the country, you’re bound to find something that suits you. Plan a refined escape with this guide to Cotswolds country house hotels, from Michelin-starred dining and spa estates to romantic manors with landscaped gardens and dog-friendly stays. Learn how to decode “family friendly”, compare two‑night vs three‑night value, and choose child‑friendly country retreats with kids’ clubs, pools and practical amenities. 5 Star rated rural holiday barn, just outside the Norfolk Broads, with access to excellent shared leisure facilities including a hot tub, a games room, a gym, a children’s play area.
Wonderful 3 bedroom holiday cottage with a tranquil rural secluded setting yet a location within walking distance of the seaside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a large private garden of almost an acre as well as swings for children, makes this an ideal cottage for families. From quiet cabins and farm stays to expansive country houses, each retreat offers a different way to experience the countryside. If only the very best luxury self-catering rural escape will do, then you will want to find a prestigious country retreat that has won accolades. Our portfolio is made up of lovingly chosen holiday properties in some of the most spectacular parts of the UK, all beautifully decorated and bursting with features to make your next break extra special.
Features such as enclosed gardens, nearby walking routes and access to outdoor space make them well suited to travelling with pets. Availability varies by property, so it’s best to check individual listings when booking. From countryside cottages to rural hideaways and secluded cottages, find an excellent selection of idyllic rural retreats on Country Cottages Online. Our cottages have been thoughtfully restored to offer warm, welcoming spaces where guests can unwind and feel at home from the moment they arrive. Blending traditional Northumbrian character with modern comforts, each cottage provides a cosy retreat whether you’re visiting for a peaceful weekend away, a family holiday, or a longer countryside break.