A New England style wooden holiday lodge. In the foreground are sloping fields while behind the lodge is a wood.

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in Essex

To discover this sunny (and that's official) corner of south-east England, rent an Essex holiday cottage to see this land, bounded by the North Sea and Thames Estuary. Essex shares its ancient Anglo-Saxon origins between ancient woodlands, pastoral farmlands and busy estuaries. From the decorative Byzantine frescoes of Copford Church and Layer Marney Tower, which has the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England, Colchester, the earliest Roman settlement in Britain, to the busy port of Harwich, gateway to Europe, and Stansted airport, Essex has seen it all. Forest walks, rides and glades for picnics, and a lake are all to be enjoyed in Hatfield Forest. Visit Audley End House and admire the Adam-design Tea House Bridge and Finchingfield, an authentic chocolate-box village - so don't forget your camera. Real history can still be seen at the medieval bridge in Pleshey, a village which existed long before the Normans arrived.

Exterior of a 3-storey holiday cottage on Osea Island overlooking a large lawn with sun lounders beneath a shade of tree
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

Rosetti House is a spacious holiday cottage located on Osea Island, near Maldon. The cottage is situated on the ground floor and features a large private garden. It is equipped with a communal pool, tennis court, and cinema room for easy access. The living area has three comfortable sofas and the kitchen-diner seats up to 14 people, making them ideal spaces for gathering.

Osea Island is located in the Blackwater Estuary and offers a memorable escape with its private beach, saltwater lido, heated outdoor pool, gym, and event spaces. The cottage features six bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, ensuring comfort and relaxation. It is perfect for special celebrations or family getaways.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Discover the secluded luxury of Chapel House One, an Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, surrounded by the Blackwater Estuary. Revel in the exclusive tidal island, a 90-minute escape from London, with private beaches, an outdoor pool, tennis court, cinema room, games room, and more. This dog-friendly waterside cottage offers flexible accommodation, ideal for family get-togethers—Book Chapel House One for a unique, beautiful getaway with stylish living areas and mezzanine space. Explore the island, visit The Puffin Pub, and enjoy EV charging facilities.

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A two-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooking a lawn with a parasol on Osea Island
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Garden House is a warm and inviting Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island located near the waterfront, boasting a charming and cosy atmosphere. The interior is tastefully decorated, radiating comfort and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for a luxurious holiday retreat. This holiday home is situated in the central village area of the island, providing convenient access to all the island's attractions while also offering a private and secluded refuge.

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A single-storey eco-lodge surrounded by a deck and open fields.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Championship golf courses and spa treatments beckon at Ramson Lodge, a contemporary cottage near the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Suffolk. Walks and fresh air also await at the surrounding Constable County Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while lovely views are promised at the cottage.

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A 3-storey, wood and glass holiday home in a rural location.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Scarlet Pimpernel is a sophisticated rural cottage offered by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Colchester, Suffolk. The contemporary retreat boasts beautiful views of the golf course and gardens and features open-plan spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and large balconies.

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Gable end of a 3-storey period house with 2st floor balcony flanked by mature treees
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Observatory is a delightful holiday cottage located in Essex on Osea Island. It offers a serene escape for those seeking a peaceful getaway. To access the private island, guests can cross over a tidal causeway. Once there, they can enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, a saltwater lido, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and other amenities. The cottage features a comfortable lounge, a well-equipped kitchen diner, and a private balcony with outstanding views of the island. Two stylish bedrooms ensure guests have a restful stay. Its remarkable location makes it an ideal spot for special celebrations or family holidays.

 

 

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A timber-framed holiday cottage on Osea Island with two sun-loungers on its lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Sweet Shop, a charming cottage on Osea Island, is perfect for couples seeking a tranquil getaway. This bijou retreat in the island's village area offers an open living and bedroom space, a well-equipped kitchen, and a shower room. Guests enjoy access to private beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor heated pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, a gym, and four event spaces. The island's communal facilities include a pool, tennis court, The Shack, free bicycles, a lido pool, a cinema and more. Bring up to two dogs for a weekly fee of £30 each. Short breaks are available.

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A wooden 2-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden, shaded by tall trees with four sun loungers on the grass.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

"The Limes" is a charming Island holiday cottage located on private Osea Island on the enchanting Essex Coast. It is perfect for a cosy and inviting escape for up to five guests. The cottage features a warm lounge with garden access, two spacious double rooms, and an additional single room. It also boasts a well-equipped kitchen, two elegant bathrooms with roll-top baths, and a private garden. Osea Island is a private island that offers a lot of attractions, including a private beach, saltwater lido, outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and 4.5 miles of coastline to explore with bikes. If you're looking for a tranquil getaway, "The Limes" is the perfect place to discover and plan your next seaside escapade.

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A grand Victorian Manor House with two turreted wings overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
10

Manor House, located on Osea Island, offers a remarkable escape. Accessible via a Roman tidal causeway, this exclusive Essex holiday cottage is an extraordinary retreat. Explore a range of activities, including an outdoor pool, saltwater lido, tennis court, cinema, and 4.5 miles of coastline. The grand Edwardian house boasts ten bedrooms, most with four-poster beds and en-suite bathrooms. It's an ideal celebration venue, with reception rooms, a country kitchen, and captivating water views. Book this extraordinary destination for a minimum of 2 nights, with flexible arrival days.

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While known by many outside of the County as the bustling area with wild nightlife and extravagant characters due to certain popular TV shows, Essex itself is a beautiful place steeped in culture and fascinating history. Essex offers its visitors more than 350 miles of coastline, ancient market towns, traditional villages and tiny hamlets nestled within the County’s rolling countryside hills. There are many delightful holiday cottages along the coast and further inland from which visitors will find plenty to see and do during a holiday in this fine and sunny County in the South East of England.

Essex is also known as the ‘sunshine county’, with the Victorian village of St Osyth being recorded as the driest place in the UK. Its excellent location links to Europe’s most desirable locations, such as the City of London and Cambridge. If you’re looking for something completely different, why not hop on the ferry at Harwich to spend a night or two in Germany and the Netherlands?

Essex is one of those England counties all too often overlooked by visitors – and that’s their loss. Essex is fascinating for its culture, historical sites, shoreline, and seaside resorts. There are many attractive landmarks to discover in the area. Southend-on-Sea is a great place to start, with its Pier, the longest in the world – you’ll need to take the train to get to the end! Essex also has some beautiful castles, including Colchester Castle, the largest Norman Keep in Europe.

The town of Colchester itself is known to be the oldest in Britain. Still, it also has some outstanding contemporary buildings, such as ‘Firstsite’, a contemporary visual arts building with lots of exhibitions, a café and a local arts & crafts shop. Even if contemporary art isn’t your thing, the building is worth visiting due to its fascinating and modern architecture that juxtaposes nicely with the nearby Victorian buildings.

There’s an abundance of activities to get involved in during your cottage holiday in Essex. The Lee Valley White Water Centre offers one of the best places to experience white water rafting and is used by some of the Olympic kayaking team. For something a bit more relaxed, Great Notley Country Park has bike trails with links to over 15 miles of off-road walking and cycling routes. The park also has bike hire, so you don’t need to worry about bringing yours along with you.

For some retail therapy, head to High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford. It’s regarded as one of the biggest shopping centres in Essex, with over 80 stores, and one of the prettiest too, with the River Can flowing peacefully alongside it and a large open park nearby.

Being in a great position in the UK, Essex is home to some of the biggest festivals and events that run throughout the year. V Festival, hosted in Chelmsford, attracts over 180,000 each year, and with household names, it is widely regarded as one of the biggest music festivals in the UK. There are many more festivals, including Chelmsford Blues Festival, Leigh Folk Festival and Colchester Food and Drink Festival - all of which will ensure a stay in an Essex holiday cottage will be anything but dull.