Find self catering and cottages that are great for a short break in South East England

Stokers Loft, West Mersea, Essex, South East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in West Mersea sleeps 4.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Located in West Mersea just 20 yards from the sea, this delightfully converted property offers fantastic views from its upstairs living area. Stokers Loft is the ideal holiday location for sailing enthusiasts, the public hard for dinghies is just a few yards from the property. It is also conveniently situated for two renowned fish restaurants (the Company Shed and the Oyster Bar), local shops and pubs. Mersea Island is the most easterly inhabited island in the UK and is reached by crossing the Strood causeway (liable to be cut off for short periods during high/spring tides). Only 9 miles from the county town of Colchester with its famous castle and zoo, Mersea is also conveniently located for exploring Dedham Vale, the Stour Valley and Constable country. A superb location for walking, bird-watching, swimming and cycling, Mersea boasts a beach of sand and shingle. A country club with golf and health club is a short drive away. Shop 75 yards, pubs 250 yards.

Double bedroom. Bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. First floor: Beamed open-plan living/dining room with Velux windows, wooden floor and compact beamed galley-style kitchen.

Heron Cottages - Fuchsia Cottage, Biddenden, Kent, South East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Biddenden sleeps 4.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Golf nearby • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: These two delightful holiday cottages enjoy an idyllic setting, surrounded by trees and an abundance of wildlife, in six acres of shared grounds. Converted from former stable buildings, both cottages overlook the lake where herons, kingfishers and moorhens can be spotted, and benefit from views over the surrounding Kent farmland, each with its own patio from which the country air and unspoilt scenery can be enjoyed. This is a genuine rural haven, far from major roads and an excellent area for walkers, it is accessed along a farm road and has many good foot paths to explore. Within easy reach are the famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Smallhythe Place, featuring the Dame Ellen Terry Museum and a timbered, 16th-century yeoman’s home. The magnificent cathedral city of Canterbury and the beach at Camber Sands are both 20 miles away. Golf, tennis and riding are available locally. Shop 1½ miles, nearest pub just over a mile away.

These two cottages are furnished to similarly comfortable standards throughout, and enjoy identical layouts. Each has an attractive, spacious living/dining room with open fire, rugs on wooden floor, door to terrace, and large window overlooking lake. Small, well-equipped kitchen. First floor: Two small, pretty carpeted bedrooms; one twin and one double. Bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. Very low sloping ceilings and doorways throughout first floor (limited headroom).

The Courtyard, Barnham, West Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 6
Weekly prices from: £900 to £1299

Self catering accommodation in Barnham sleeps 6.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Easy Walking • Sleeps 6

Accommodation overview: Perfectly situated between the South Downs and the sea for stunning natural countryside and unspoilt beaches...

These delightful holiday properties are all situated within an arable working farm, with horse stables, riding and livery, which are all available to guests by prior arrangement. Surrounded by miles of open countryside, fields and scenic walks along a historic disused canal, it is abundant in wildlife, including many birds, as well as rabbits, hares and deer.
Paddock Barn and The Courtyard are attached, and have been designed with a similar layout, including open plan living rooms and kitchen/dining rooms with natural slate floors, wood-burning stoves and spacious bedrooms with vaulted ceilings.
The Little Yard is adjacent and provides cosy, comfortable accommodation, ideal for couples or smaller families. West Cottage and Canal Cottage lie slightly apart, about 150 yards from the other 3 barn conversions, and are adjoining 19th-century refurbished cottages. These properties can all be booked together to accommodate larger groups, to sleep a maximum of 32 guests in total.
Barnham Court Farm is located just 4 miles from the nearest quiet beach at Climping, whilst the unspoilt beach at West Wittering is only about 20 minutes’ drive away. Chichester is only 6 miles away, with its beautiful ornate cathedral and abundance of pedestrianised cobbled lanes with various shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants. Other amenities include a leisure centre with indoor pool, a cinema complex, the popular Festival Theatre which has year-round productions, and famous Goodwood Races for horse or motor racing; Fontwell racecourse is also only about 3 miles away.
Other places of interest include The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, and historic Arundel with castle cathedral, various book and art shops, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust – ideal for bird-watchers. Slightly further afield is Brighton, perfect for a family day out, boasting the decadent Royal Pavilion, art galleries, theatres and Sea Life Museum, plus seaside entertainment along the promenade and pier.
The South Downs National Park is less than 3 miles away with wonderful opportunities for walking and riding, with many footpaths. Horse riding can be available by prior arrangement from the riding school in the farmyard, and livery can also be arranged. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

The Mill House, Brightstone, Isle of Wight, South East England

Sleeps 11
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Brightstone sleeps 11.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 11

Accommodation overview: This beautiful detached Georgian house dates back to the 1700s and stands elegantly within its own well maintained gardens. Peacefully located along a quiet rural lane country lane, The Mill House offers spectacular far reaching views across fields to the Downs, and is only 10 minutes’ walk to the sea. Across the lane is a pleasant walk beside the stream, also only 10 minutes, which leads to the picturesque village of Brighstone with its thatched-roof village shops, tearoom, pub/restaurants, and NT museum. This welcoming holiday home has been tastefully and lovingly refurbished throughout. Awarded the VisitBritain 5 star Gold Award, it offers a lovely country house feel, still retaining many features such as stone and wood floors, ornate fireplaces and high ceilings. Ideal for families, there is a formal living room with grand piano and a family room with TV. A selection of games, books and toys is also supplied. This area is fantastic for scenic walking and footpaths can also be followed to join the coastal path leading to Tennyson Down with its monument and breathtaking routes across miles of Heritage coastline. West High Down and Headon Warren are other popular walks in the area. The secluded sandy bays of Compton Totland and Colwell are all within 10 minutes’ drive and plenty of outdoor pursuits including sailing, fishing, golf, cycling, swimming and watersports can be found locally. West Wight is also home to the famous rock formations of The Needles, where there is a visitors park, amusements, chair lift, boat rides, lighthouse and the coloured sands at Alum Bay. The quaint historic sailing town of Yarmouth is also within easy reach, with promenade, fine restaurants and historic pub. Discover adventure/theme parks, NT homes and gardens, such as Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, also the Pearl Centre, Calbourne Water Mill which has 17th century water and stone mills boat rides, renewable energy centre and still provides flour to the island, vineyards, museums and wildlife centres. Shop and pub ½ mile.

Large living room with open fire and grand piano. Sitting room with wood-burning stove and TV. Dining room with wood-burning stove. Well-equipped kitchen with breakfast area, electric Aga and electric cooker. Twin bedroom. Shower room with toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with four-poster bed. Double bedroom with additional single bed (for +1). Two further double bedrooms. Bunk bedroom (for 1+1). Bathroom with roll-top bath, shower attachment and toilet. Bathroom with corner bath, separate shower cubicle and toilet.

Stable Cottages - Paddock View, West Meon, Hampshire, South East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in West Meon sleeps 4.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Easy Walking • Garden • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Set along a country lane, these attractive and skilfully converted self catering holiday cottages offer a very good specification of holiday accommodation, and being single storey, they are suitable for all ages. They lie within beautiful rolling countryside and farmland, within the grounds of a working farm, next door to the local pottery. Offering plenty of light, they have been tastefully refurbished, furnished with guests’ comfort in mind. Spacious, open-plan Church View is wheelchair-friendly with large windows to take advantage of the superb countryside views. These pet friendly properties enjoy shared use of a large lawned garden and direct access to miles of scenic walks. Just under a mile from the quaint village of West Meon with pubs serving fine fayre, and where the founder of Lords cricket rests. Within easy reach are the glorious South Downs, Portsmouth and Spinnaker Tower, waterside dining, extensive designer shopping, ferry trips to the Isle of Wight, Winchester Cathedral, Southampton with its extensive maritime history, the vast heathland walks and riding in the New Forest, historic Chichester, beaches at Witterings or Hayling Island. London is about an hour by train from nearby Petersfield. Shop and pub ¾ mile.

Oaklands, Chiddingly, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 10
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Chiddingly sleeps 10.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview: Located in the charming village of Muddles Green within the historic parish of Chiddingly, this elegant Edwardian detached home has been lovingly and tastefully refurbished throughout. An ideal holiday home for families, it benefits from a separate TV room and games area with Xbox 360, a family area with TV and a detached garden with pagoda, an ideal spot to enjoy al fresco dining in the warmer months. There is a large wood-burning stove within a brick surround in the living room, and further ornamental wrought iron fireplaces in most bedrooms.

Other features include restored wooden floors, dining table to seat ten (on request), a superb family bathroom with roll-top bath and a dressing area in the master bedroom. The area is ideal for scenic walks both locally and along the nearby South Downs, and there is an abundance of sightseeing opportunities, with many NT homes and gardens within easy reach, such as Batemans, home of Rudyard Kipling, Glyndebourne, Herstmonceux Castle and Observatory and Wakehurst Place.

The popular seaside resort of Eastbourne is about 10 miles away, with its pier, marina, harbour village, seaside entertainment and various shops, cafés and international restaurants. Also within easy reach is Pevensey with its castle, or for horse racing enthusiasts, Lingfield, Brighton and Plumpton. Other places of interest include The Long Man of Wilmington, Cuckmere Valley, Beachy Head and Seven Sisters Park. The property is also ideally situated for golf lovers, with many golf courses within the area, including the East Sussex National. Shops 1 mile, pub 500 yards.

Large living room with wood-burning stove and wooden floor. Dining room. Kitchen with electric Range (for cooking). TV room. Family room with TV. Utility. Separate toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with 5ft bed, dressing room and en-suite shower room with toilet. Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with roll-top bath, double basin and toilet. Spiral staircase to second floor: Games area. Two double bedrooms. Shower room with toilet.

Combe Hill Farm - The Dairy, Ninfield, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from: £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in Ninfield sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Detached • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: Situated in the owners’ grounds on a 16th-century Grade II listed site, these well-appointed, beamed holiday cottages (PCCX and PCCY) occupy a truly peaceful setting. Located amidst 1066 countryside and ancient woodlands, this was once part of the Ashburnham family estate. Combe Hill Farm is ideally placed for visiting many NT and English Heritage sites, including Batemans - home of Rudyard Kipling, Battle Abbey and Bodiam Castle. The famous Glyndebourne Festival takes place from May to August and the ancient town of Lewes celebrates Bonfire Night with a magnificent procession and firework display. Hastings, with old fishermen’s huts and fresh fish, is worth a visit, as is the cobbled town of Rye and beautiful golden sand and dunes of Camber which await exploration. Shop and pub 1 mile.

Drayton Farm Barns - Shepherds Den, East Meon, Hampshire, South East England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from: £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in East Meon sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: Amidst beautiful rolling countryside and farmland, set in the grounds of the owner’s farmhouse within a working farm, Drayton Farm Barns (PDDP, PDDQ & PDDR) have been skillfully converted from one large barn. Offering plenty of light and space, these beautifully presented barns have been tastefully furnished to a high specification. Henwood (PDDR) is an ‘upside down’ house, designed with the living area on the first floor to take advantage of the superb countryside views. They enjoy shared use of a large lawned garden, and direct access to miles of scenic walks in this wonderful part of Hampshire within the Meon Valley, with the river meandering through the farmland.
Just over a mile is the quaint thatched roof village of East Meon, which has shops, a church and two renowned pubs serving good food. West Meon (where Thomas Lord rests, founder of Lords cricket) is also close by with award-winning butchers and pub. Within easy reach are the glorious South Downs, Portsmouth with Nelsons Victory, The Mary Rose, waterside dining, designer shopping and ferry trips to the Isle of Wight, as well as Winchester Cathedral, Southampton with its extensive maritime history, the vast heathland walks and riding in The New Forest, historic Chichester with cathedral and festival theatre, beaches at the Witterings or Hayling Island, Watercress steam train, Jane Austen’s House, Gilbert White’s House, Birdworld and Marwell Zoo. London is about an hour by train from nearby Petersfield. Shops 1½ miles.