Find Your Rural Retreat in the Heart of England, with an English Country Cottage Holiday

Accommodation with Nature on the Doorstep

Diversity is an understatement when it comes to describing the Heart of England's many landscapes, so wherever you take your cottage holiday, a lovely view awaits you. In Derbyshire, Dovedale offers gentle valley walking with lovely views all along the length of the river.

The more serious walker can take on the Pennine Way, which starts its long trek north at Edale. Or perhaps you'd prefer to rent a cottage near to the Wye Valley, which offers canoeing and fishing to complement the shaded woodland walks along its riverbanks?

Don't overlook the opportunity to take your cottage holiday in the 'nearest thing to earthly paradise', as PG Woodhouse described Shropshire, one of the least populated areas of Britain. Whatever landscape you like to explore, The Heart of England will fill your heart with happiness.

Character Cottages Steeped in History and Heritage

Across the region the richly diverse history of England is celebrated in its full glory, Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.

It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Swithun and is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester and centre of the Diocese of Winchester and our range of holiday cottages lays it all at your feet.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in Shakespearian verse while you wander around Stratford-Upon Avon, or bask in the splendour of Chatsworth Hall and the forgotten beauty of Hardwick Hall, a holiday in the Heart of England spans centuries of heritage.

The ancient city of Hereford boasts an imposing Norman Cathedral, and is home to many historic treasures including the priceless Mappa Mundi, which is on display here. Shrewsbury is another ancient town, with 660 listed buildings, a Norman abbey and medieval castle making it well worth a visit.

Choose a Cottage Holiday for Culture and Cuisine

If you want to enhance your holiday with truly fantastic food, then head to Ludlow, the gastronomic capital of Shropshire, described as 'the loveliest town in England'. The town has a lively market, regular food fairs, and speciality gourmet shops, not to mention seven Michelin-starred restaurants!

Culturally speaking, there's plenty on offer at the fascinating living industrial museum of Ironbridge, at Coalbrookdale or at the potteries of Stoke-on-Trent. But the feather in the Heart of England's cultural cap has to be the Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival, which takes place in May.

Writers, artists and musicians gather to share new visions in the staggering beauty of the Brecon Beacons. Find an English Country Cottage nearby and share the magic.

Holiday Homes near the Highlights and Hotspots

If it's family fun that makes your holiday special, then make the Heart of England your home from home. Experience the latest rides at Alton Towers, then on to nearby Waterworld, an impressive indoor aqua theme park.

Or go wild on a fun packed day out in the heart of rural Worcestershire, at West Midland Safari Park, where you'll see animals from across the world on the 4-mile self-drive safari.

Take a boat along the River Avon, from Abbey Park in the centre of Eveham, or hit the slopes of the Snowdome Leisure Island, Tamworth where you can ski or toboggan on indoor snow all year round! Adventure abounds in the Heart of England, for a holiday that pulses to a beat of its own. Visit our availability search page to find your next holiday cottage in the Heart of England.