Positively medieval, the home county of Essex has a history that dates all the way back to the Iron Age. This makes it a haven for history lovers, but also people who want to experience a part of the English countryside without going far from London. Popular attractions to visit include Colchester Castle and zoo, Audley End House and Gardens, Clacton Pier by the North Sea, and Wallasea Island. These places are spread out across the region, which is why you should stay for a few days to explore more. Here are the top cottages for rent in Essex, UK, for a restful stay.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 12, 2024.
1. Charming one-bedroom cottage, Birch (from USD 94)
Located in the outskirts of Colchester, you’ll be a short drive within the main city attractions from this one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage. With its super king-sized bed and double sofa bed, it can sleep up to four people easily.
Bright natural light fills the open living area which features a wood burner and some entertainment. The French doors open to a patio and appreciate the garden as you take your morning coffee.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
cosy cottage had everything you needed for a comfortable stayCleanliness:
lovely cottage very clean and comfortablewe found it warm clean comfortable and generously equipped throughoutthis was such a lovely place very clean and cosy had a lovely time will definitely be going againHost:
trevor the owner is friendly and helpful - but not in any way intrusiveRead more reviewsLocation:
quiet and pretty location with private off-street parking and easy access to both tiptree and colchesterthe locals are welcoming too interesting places to visit nearby; don't miss the charming burnham on crouch
2. Lovely waterfront cottage, Rowhedge (from USD 83)
This picturesque three-bedroom two-bathroom cottage in the village of Rowhedge is about halfway between Downtown Colchester and Mersea Island. It can sleep up to five people and features light airy spaces that will make you feel at home fast.
The main bedroom has a king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom for cozy privacy. The dining room is spacious, but if you prefer al fresco dining, treat yourself in the back garden. There are two assigned parking spots available for your use.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage itself was incredibly comfortable and well equippedthe cottage is comfortable and very nicely furnishedrooms were fine and everything work wellCleanliness:
cottage very clean modern and comfortablethe property was very clean extremely well-equipped and a joy to stay in for a weekthe property is light and airy very clean excellently equipped and in a perfect locationall good with us very clean and comfortable with plenty of amenitiesHost:
lots of useful information provided by the hosts both prior to arrival and at the propertywe had a wonderful time and the hosts were very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
a very comfortable property situated in a scenic locationgreat location for walking and exploringpub in walking distance just a 1 min walk and serves good foodlocation was great for a visit to the coast or a walk around the castle park in colchesterexcellent location well maintained and equipped property nearby pub and shop and lovely area to explore
3. Quaint seaside cottage, Clacton-on-Sea (from USD 203)
A short 16.2-mile (26-kilometer) drive from Colchester is this sweet 2-bedroom cottage in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea. It sleeps up to four people and has two bathrooms. The cottage features an open-concept living and dining space with beautiful picture windows that let the light in. Heating, private parking, free Wi-Fi, and wheelchair accessibility are some of the perks you’ll get to enjoy here.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were also of good quality with crisp white linenCleanliness:
perfectly clean and lots of provisionsspotlessly clean and spacious with some lovely extra touchesa lovely week by the sea very convenient for the beach very clean and comfortableHost:
superb host very attentiveimmaculate accommodation with very welcoming owners who were always help fullsusan was a wonderful host and we felt very welcome with nothing too much troublewe had a friendly welcome from the owner as well as a very nice welcome packRead more reviewsLocation:
plenty of free parking and literally only 2 minutes walk to the beachhowever it is great for all with it's lovely walk in shower wet rooms
4. Postcard-worthy outpost, Langham (from USD 135)
This one-bedroom one-bathroom cottage for rent in Colchester’s Langham area is picture perfect. Check out the entryway adorned by plants– talk about a warm welcome! We highly recommend this if you’re traveling alone or with one other companion.
This cute holiday home features beamed interiors plus all the essentials for a comfortable stay. That includes a well-equipped kitchen, electric coal-effect fire for colder weather, and a cozy four-poster bed you’ll never want to get off of.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very comfortable and we'll equipped cottagevery well equipped and extremely comfortablethe bedroom was spacious and had a comfortable four poster bedHost:
the owners are extremely thoughtful and provided many little special touches and extra gifts and comfortsthere is private outdoor seating and visitors can use the owners’ stunningly beautiful gardenvery helpful and friendly proprietorsjo and dave are wonderful hosts & the cottage is simply amazinglovely cottage amazing hosts with a warm greeting and very generous welcome packRead more reviewsLocation:
idyllic location wonderful hosts
5. Breathtaking country home, Layer de la Haye (from USD 1462)
You and your friends will feel like noble lords and ladies in this impressive red-brick country home in Layer de la Haye, a village near Colchester. This Grade II-listed property features eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, as well as a games room, a drawing room, and a large dining area (perfect for dinner parties).
This historic property has been updated with more modern luxuries, including smart TVs, a functional home gym, and more. There are also 52 acres (21 hectares) of grounds for you to explore.
Top guest reviews
Read more reviewsCleanliness:
so clean so well equippedimmaculately clean great space incredible bedroomsso clean and smelt greatthis very spacious and beautiful house is also extremely comfortable welcoming and spotlessly clean
6. The Cart Lodge, Essex (from USD 167)
If a rural retreat is what you’re looking for, check out this two-bedroom one-bathroom cottage called the Cart Lodge. It’s a 20-minute drive from Colchester but is surrounded by the rolling greens of the Essex countryside. With its king, queen, and single beds, it can sleep up to five people without an issue.
The best thing about staying at the Cart Lodge is that you get to stay in a perfectly preserved village about 800 years old. You get to unplug here as you take a stroll around the village or relax in the private garden.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
really spacious great open plan kitchen dining area full of light and surrounded by stunning viewsangela and terry are superb hosts and the cottage is extremely well equipped and comfortablethe cottage was beautiful; very comfortable & had everything we neededit is very well furnished comfortable and with full a full range of household itemsbathroom shower was a fantastic experienceCleanliness:
thoughtful touches and spotlessly cleanthe lodge was really clean cosy and had all the essentials for our time awaythe house is lovely exactly like on the pictures very clean and homelyit was absolutely spotless had everything we needed and was in a great locationa beautiful little lodge very clean and cosy spacious too we loved the log fire :) wonderful hosts tooHost:
hosts were welcoming and quick to reply and react to any queryangela was such a lovely host when we stayed in the cart lodgeeverything at hand and very welcoming hostslovely helpful hosts nothing too much troublethe food was delicious and the staff very helpful and efficientRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location surrounded by countrysidegreat space and great location for a holidaya lovely quiet location and lots of places to visit within a short distancethe location is perfect and the actual lodge is beautifully donethe cartlodge is perfectly located close to local villages and towns but situated within beautiful rural essex countryside
Superhost
7. Cottage for aspiring sailors, West Mersea (from USD 173)
Just a 10-mile (16-kilometer) drive south from Colchester and you’ll arrive at West Mersea, the location of this rustic cottage by the water. With its seaside location, you can easily hop on a boat and live your dreams of becoming a sailor (at least for a day or two).
The cottage is perfect for one to two people with its double bedroom and bathroom with an over-bath shower. There’s an extra futon bed, a galley-style kitchen, central heating, and of course, Wi-Fi. There’s also a designated parking spot for you.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very lovely quint and quirky comfortable fantastic location review independently collected and verified by reevoocomfortable bed so great nights sleepCleanliness:
the whole cottage could do with a good cleanHost:
the owners are very friendly and mersea island is a great place to relaxeveryone in west mersea is very friendlyRead more reviewsLocation:
a great location for a holiday by the sea which is what we wantedwell maintained and a beautiful locationperfect accommodation and location for exploring mersea islandlovely pub only a few minuets walk away serving some very nice ales
8. Self-contained historic cottage, Clacton-on-Sea (from USD 113)
For history lovers, this cottage is particularly exciting. Dating back to the 16th century, it boasts unique provenance: it was built for the local church then later gifted to Thomas Cromwell and then Princess Mary by none other than Henry VIII! Much of the original features of this one-bedroom one-bathroom cottage for four has been preserved, from the wooden beams to the brick. And with 2 acres (0.8 hectares) of surrounding lot, you’ll get plenty of privacy.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
margas place was homely comfortable and had everything we neededreally lovely accommodation large rooms private garden with table and chairs well equipped and marga very friendly and helpfulwe stayed as 2 adults and 2 children and had plenty of room to be comfortablecontains absolutely everything you need for a comfortable staythe shower was great as was the book collection if you have time for that sort of thingCleanliness:
it was also spotlessly clean and set in peaceful surroundingslovely place very clean and made to feel welcomesuch lovely well equipped and exceptionally clean accommodationthe accommodation was very beautiful clean comfortable and well maintainedgreat place spacious clean and everything you could needHost:
great host and great placegreat hosts very welcoming and helpfulmarga is such a lovely hostcharming and friendly hostsmarga is the perfect hostRead more reviewsLocation:
close to all supermarkets and entertainmentgreat location to explore locally and into suffolkthe quiet location was perfect for usperfect location to visit the seafront and also perfect for a peaceful weekendthe location is better then the pictures it feels like a castle: vintage simple and wonderful
9. Idyllic terraced cottage, Saint Osyth (from USD 99)
Comfort and history go hand-in-hand in this three-bedroom one-bathroom cottage in the waterfront village of Saint Osyth near Clacton-on-Sea. It is estimated to be about 150 years old and is part of a larger structure.
Despite its age, It’s been upgraded with modern amenities, including a stainless-steel gas stove. You’ll still see some of its original features such as the gates and exposed beams. The best spot, however, is the rear garden, that’s wonderfully secluded from the hubbub of the village.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds are super comfortable there are fans in the roomslots of space lovely garden and extremely comfortable bed which made for a good nights sleeplovely little cosy cottage very comfortable and everything you would need to self caterwe arrived to find yellow roses in an attractive jug to dinner mints on the dining tableCleanliness:
beautiful clean house with some lovely extra toucheseverything feels clean and new and it’s cosy and comfortablegreat place that is clean and very welcomingthe place was sparkling clean and there were lots of lovely touchesexceptionally clean tidy and homey too…we all loved itHost:
the host made us feel very welcomethe owner did everything she could to make our stay feel like homethis is a gorgeous little cottage with wonderful hostslots of lovelytouches from the ownerlovely host who kept in touch to make sure everything was ok really helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
a great location in a lovely little village with loads to do close bygood location in st osythgreat little house in a great little locationthe location was perfect for frinton and walton on the wazegreat location for walking the dogs and the garden was lovely
10. Stylish converted barn, Great Bentley (from USD 132)
If you’re one to shy away from older properties, you’ll love this converted barn in the village of Great Bentley near Colchester. It’s a three-bedroom two-bathroom holiday rental with contemporary features such as heated towel rails. There’s a fully functional kitchen with plenty of space, a stable Wi-Fi connection, and a courtyard patio.
Outside, you’ll be greeted by a different scenery– a working farm! Say hello to the farmhands at work as you take a stroll or learn pottery at the on-site Pink Parrot Pottery studio. There’s also a fishing reservoir if you want some quiet time.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we were glad we brought a playpen/room divider to keep our toddler away from the kitchen and stairsthe double beds were exceptionally comfortablethe attached barn cafe is delicious for a great breakfast or lunchthe beds were super comfy and the rooms had plenty of storage and socket accessit was extremely comfortable and tastefully presentedCleanliness:
very clean and stylishvery clean tidy and spacious propertyit was sparkling clean and beautifully decoratedthe accommodation was spotlessly clean and just as described on airbnba clean well-equipped stylish and homely placeHost:
fiona is the perfect hostfiona was an excellent and attentive hostfiona was an excellent host and the house provided everything we neededfiona was a kind and thoughtful hostcomfortable stylish and a great hostRead more reviewsLocation:
great location for the coastgreat location and lovely accommodationvery comfortable barn conversion close to pubs tesco extra and railway stationa lovely location and really nice cafe next doorspacious barn accommodation in a lovely location
Your UK trip isn't complete without seeing Essex
Don’t miss Colchester, Britain’s so-called First City, the small villages that dot the Essex countryside, and of course, the seaside towns bordering the North Sea. Check out the accommodations above for a comfortable stay.
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