Last Updated on 14 January 2025 by Colette
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
With foreign travel this year looking decidedly wobbly and lots of us having had our holidays cancelled thanks to Coronavirus, self-catering accommodation in the UK is proving to be a popular alternative particularly in terms of maintaining social distancing.
As a family of five, self-catering holidays have been a good option for us for quite a few years now. Once the kids were too big for us all to fit into a family hotel room, self-catering cottages made perfect sense. Aside from providing us with a better value trip, they also offer a great deal of flexibility – being able to put the children to bed and relax downstairs rather than hiding in the hotel bathroom or having to go to bed early ourselves obviously makes for a much more relaxing break!
I wanted to share a list of self-catering accommodation recommendations – places we have stayed ourselves and have loved. The list is in no particular order, and it is a list I will aim to add to over time, but hopefully it will be helpful to you.
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
Landal Darwin Forest – Peak District
Landal Darwin Forest is owned and operated by Pinelodge Holidays in partnership with Landal GreenParks – and is, to my mind, an ideal alternative to Center Parcs. Set in woodland in the stunning Peak District, Landal Darwin Forest is perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer escape. They have a range of accommodation available to sort a variety of budgets and needs – meaning you can find a cosy little hideaway for two, or a spacious lodge for your extended family to share! They even have special accommodation for dogs too.
You can read more about Landal Darwin Forest here:
Landal Darwin Forest – Glade Exclusive Lodge Review
Landal Darwin Forest – A Weekend Stay
Landal Darwin Forest – A mid week break for two
or for a smaller site, check out Darwin Forest’s sister site Landal Sandybrook
Or watch a video tour of a Landal Darwin Forest Lodge here:
Click through to book your Landal Darwin Forest Stay here.
Cwcw Barn at Penygear Farm – Llandovery, Wales
Cwcw Barn is the larger of two modern barn conversions at Penygear Farm near Llandovery in rural Carmarthenshire. Cwcw Barn sleeps six with one double room and two twin rooms making it perfect for a family of five. (We actually pitched Ben’s two person tent in the enclosed garden (with permission from our host) and he chose to sleep outside for a few nights! We spent a full week in Llandovery and found plenty to do in the surrounding areas.
You can read more about Cwcw Barn, Llandovery here:
Cwcw Barn at Penygaer Farm – Review
Click through to book your Cuckoo Barn stay here.
Low Moor Cottages – Scarborough
Low Moor Cottages is a group of four cottages built on old farm land – we stayed in Stable Cottage which is the largest of the four self-catering cottages. The views from both the front and back of the cottage are those of rolling green fields and farm animals. So, whilst you’re only a ten to fifteen minute drive from Scarborough sea front, you are also well and truly out into the countryside and able to escape all the hustle and bustle of the coastal town. The peaceful setting of Low Moor Cottages felt pretty perfect to us! (No pets allowed at Low Moor Cottages.)
You can read more about Low Moor Cottages here:
Click through to book your Low Moor Cottages stay here.
Ox Hey Barn – Yorkshire Dales
Ox Hey Barn is situated near Clitheroe not to far from the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It is a luxurious five bedroom, four bathroom property which will sleep 11 making it perfect for a two families or a group of friends. I actually stayed at this property for a girlie weekend and we were wowed by the high end finished and of course we made full use of the hot tub. If you’re visiting as a family, you’ll appreciate the private, external games room too! (There are no pets allowed at Ox Hey Barn.)
Click through to book your Ox Hey Barn stay here.
Birdforth Hall Cottages – North Yorkshire
Birdforth Hall Cottages is a small group of cottages just off the A19 near Easingwold, North Yorkshire. We stayed at The Mill House for Kirsty’s hen do a couple of years ago. This vast property has 9 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, sleeping up to 18 guests and boasts access to a private swimming pool (this is on a rota and shared with the other Birdforth Hall Cottages). It’s the perfect place for a big celebration or a multi generational holiday! (No pets are allowed at Birdforth Hall Cottages).
Click through to book your Birdforth Hall Cottages stay here.
Keldy Forest Woodland Cabins – North Yorkshire
It’s a long time since I’ve stayed at Keldy Forest – in fact it was pre-children – but we absolutely loved the woodland cabins and peaceful rural setting. The cabins are naturally spaced out through the woodland meaning you don’t have to see or hear anyone else. There’s a choice of accommodation to suit your needs from one bedroom cabins for couples, to the Golden Oak Treehouse which sleeps up to 10. Some of the lodges even have a hot tub. Sadly pets aren’t allowed at Keldy Forest which is a real shame as it’s the perfect location for some beautiful dog walks!
Click through to book your Keldy Forest stay here.
Center Parcs – various UK locations
Of course no round up of self-catering accommodation would be complete without a mention of Center Parcs. Center Parcs have six parks across the UK and Ireland. Obviously one of the big draws for Center Parcs is the convenience of having so many activities and restaurants onsite as well as the “Subtropical Swimming Paradise” or the Aqua Sana Spa (which is honestly one of the nicest spas I’ve been to – but facilities will be limited over the coming months so it’s worth checking what will be available before you book. (Dogs are allowed at Center Parcs however there is a surcharge)
You can read more about Center Parcs here:
A Rainy Weekend at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Center Parcs Three Bed Executive Lodge (Whinfell Forest)
Center Parcs Woburn Forest Accommodation
Center Parcs Waterside Lodge Elveden Forest
Three Bedroom Woodland Lodge at Elveden
Or watch a video tour of a Center Parcs Lodge here:
Click through to book your Center Parcs stay here.
Would love to know if you’ve got any self-catering gems to share!
If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:
Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!
I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit
Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review
Share this post with your friends – you’ll be helping me and them!
Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram
