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Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

cottage with turf roof
Veranda of cabin in woods by mountains and a lake
Living room with log burner looking through a picture window to a lake and mountains
Brightly coloured living room sofas by fireplace

Alastair Sawday's Special Escapes has unearthed quirky, comfortable, independent self-catering places run by people who care. Each has been visited by and written about by us - we like them all and we don't include ones we wouldn't stay in ourselves. Don't spend another moment trawling through the insanely complex and unreliable world of self-catering websites. Special Escapes has what you're looking for...

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Latest escapes...

Church Farm Cottage, Wiltshire

No madding crowds in Kington Langley – one reason why Kate and Will fell for this cluster of...See the full entry »

Church Farm, Middle Common, Kington Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5NN

Mazzard Farm, Devon

Seven miles from sleepy Sidmouth, at the foot of East Hill, are 17 acres of old apple farm, now...See the full entry »

East Hill, Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11 1QQ

Gossel Ridding, Cumbria

You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd walked onto a lavish film set. Every room has a view, every...See the full entry »

Craig Walk, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2HT

Editor's picks...

Hatswell Meadows, Devon

Ferns spill from hedgerows, ancient trees arch above and, at the end of the narrow lane, is a...See the full entry »

Lower Washfield, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 9PE

Jasmine Cottage, Dorset

In a peaceful Dorset hamlet (whose church Thomas Hardy helped restore) is this deep-country...See the full entry »

No. 9, Turnworth, Dorset, DT11 0EE

The Granary, Swansea

Across the lovely open space of Cefn Bryn ridge, past wild ponies, sheep and cows, and on to the...See the full entry »

Hayes Farm House, Reynoldston, Swansea, SA3 1HN

A selection...

Swallow's Nest, Yorkshire

Hole up for a week and you'll go home happy. The views are green, the walks are heavenly, the...See the full entry »

1 Chapel Lane, Hebden, Grassington, Yorkshire, BD23 5DT

The Apartment, 25 St Nicholas Court, Cornwall

Wander St Ives' cobbled lanes, visit the Tate, surf the blue waves, then return to a sheltered...See the full entry »

St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2DH

Wharfside, Mousehole, Cornwall

The views from this listed quayside cottage are worth staying in for: boats in the harbour before...See the full entry »

Mousehole, Cornwall, TR19 6RT
Anchor Butter Competition