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Your Perfect UK Holiday Cottage Awaits
Sykes Holiday Cottages has been a trusted name in UK self-catering holidays for over three decades. With a portfolio of more than 20,000 properties across the UK and Ireland, we specialise in connecting guests with unique holiday experiences ranging from traditional cottages to modern lodges and glamping pods. As a certified B Corp, we prioritise sustainable practices while maintaining rigorous quality standards through our comprehensive property inspections. Our team combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to customer satisfaction, offering 24/7 support for both guests and property owners. We maintain transparent operations through regular customer reviews and have been recognised as 'Best UK Holiday Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company' at the British Travel Awards. Our technology-driven platform ensures secure payments and flexible booking options, while our local market knowledge helps guests discover hidden gems in popular destinations like the Lake District, Cornwall, and the Scottish Highlands.
Services
Holiday Cottages
Pet-Friendly Stays
Romantic Retreats
Lodge Escapes
Glamping Pods
Cosy Cottages
Hot Tub Hideaways
Beach Holidays
Group Accommodation
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of expertise in UK self-catering holidays
- B Corp certified for environmental and social responsibility
- 24/7 emergency support for guests and property owners
- 20,000+ vetted properties across the UK and Ireland
- Award-winning customer service at the British Travel Awards
Associations and certifications
- B Corp Certified
What people say
Superb cleanliness
Well-maintained
Wonderful stay
Exceeded expectations
Spacious accommodation
Services
Holiday Cottages
We offer a comprehensive selection of self-catering holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland. Our properties range from traditional stone cottages to modern eco-friendly homes, all meeting strict quality standards. Guests benefit from flexible booking options and 24/7 support during their stay.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Our pet-friendly accommodation network allows guests to travel with their animals. We maintain rigorous standards for pet-welcoming properties, including secure outdoor spaces and cleaning protocols. Over 60% of our properties accept pets, with specific amenities listed for each.
Hot Tub Hideaways
We curate luxury properties featuring private hot tubs across scenic UK locations. Each hot tub accommodation undergoes regular maintenance checks and includes safety information. These properties are particularly popular for romantic breaks and special occasions.
Group Accommodation
Our platform specialises in large group accommodations suitable for family gatherings and celebrations. Properties include multiple bedrooms, spacious communal areas, and specific amenities for groups. We offer booking assistance for coordinating large parties.
Glamping Pods
We provide access to premium glamping pods and shepherd's huts across the UK. These eco-friendly accommodations combine rustic charm with modern comforts like Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities. Our glamping options cater to nature lovers seeking comfortable outdoor experiences.
Questions
How do I book a holiday cottage with Sykes?
Bookings can be made through our website or mobile app. Search by location, dates, and preferences, then complete the reservation with secure online payment options.
Are pets allowed in Sykes holiday properties?
Yes, over 60% of our properties welcome pets. Filter options include specific pet-friendly amenities and restrictions.
What payment methods does Sykes accept?
We accept major credit/debit cards and offer flexible payment plans for bookings made more than eight weeks in advance.
Can I get a refund if my plans change?
Cancellation policies vary by property. Flexible options are available with 80% refund up to 28 days before arrival for selected properties.
How are properties inspected for quality?
All properties undergo regular quality checks against our 100+ point inspection criteria, with recent guest reviews contributing to ongoing quality assessments.
Is Sykes a certified sustainable business?
Yes, we are B Corp certified and maintain environmental initiatives including energy-efficient property guidelines and local tourism partnerships.
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Reviews (21)
Emma Smith
Mar 20, 2024
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We have used Sykes Cottages a few times over the years and never had any issues. We visited Wales to one of their listings and due to it being owner managed it was way below standard and the owner was uncontactable. I contacted Sykes Cottages and they were beyond excellent when handling the many issues that the property revealed. They were polite, efficient and did their utmost to find a resolution even when the owner was not very helpful! I can not speak highly enough about them! 10/10
Shirley Howson
Feb 19, 2023
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Communication very good, response to booking with relevant information, directions etc was almost instant, cant fault, cant comment on property as not started holiday yet.
Marc Church
Feb 19, 2023
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Poor booking experience! We paid the deposit and then we were told we had to pay the remainder 6 weeks before the holiday date, but not given a choice of dates to pay. The date they gave us to pay was 4 days before my payday. When I asked if I could delay payment for 4 days until I got paid, I was told "No"! It was also made clear that this was non-refundable and I'd lose the deposit if I never paid on (their) time.
I had to get a 'payday' loan to pay for the remainder because they wouldn't extend the date by 4 days.
Shocking in this climate with rising costs and inflation. You;d think Sykes would want to help, not hinder.
I had to get a 'payday' loan to pay for the remainder because they wouldn't extend the date by 4 days.
Shocking in this climate with rising costs and inflation. You;d think Sykes would want to help, not hinder.
Stewart Stone
Feb 18, 2023
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Last minute 5 day short break. Booked three days before going as weather was nice . Fabulous country annexe , spotlessly clean in lovely location ready for exploring many different places. Welcome pack for us and our dog was a lovely touch. Would definitely recommend.
Sue & Phil
Feb 17, 2023
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Ryepiece, a lovely cottage
Ryepie cottage was very cosy , clean and well equipped
Our host Ant was helpful and extremely knowledgeable on the local area . The village of Ettington is peaceful
and has the basics, shop and pub etc. It's location is perfect for exploring the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Leamington spa . Overall a very pleasant experience and we would definitely recommend it !
Ryepie cottage was very cosy , clean and well equipped
Our host Ant was helpful and extremely knowledgeable on the local area . The village of Ettington is peaceful
and has the basics, shop and pub etc. It's location is perfect for exploring the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Leamington spa . Overall a very pleasant experience and we would definitely recommend it !
Linda Woodman
Feb 17, 2023
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Myrtle cottage in Wyke Regis was a beautiful home to stay in its very cosy & warm
It had everything we needed and more for a relaxing holiday it was clean and tidy had comfortable beds clean bedding and towels The cottage is in a peaceful quiet area it is fairly secluded when the gates are closed but well within reach of local amenities should you need them
We would definitely stay here again
Whats more it accepts 3 dogs which means we can all have an enjoyable time away
Thank you
It had everything we needed and more for a relaxing holiday it was clean and tidy had comfortable beds clean bedding and towels The cottage is in a peaceful quiet area it is fairly secluded when the gates are closed but well within reach of local amenities should you need them
We would definitely stay here again
Whats more it accepts 3 dogs which means we can all have an enjoyable time away
Thank you
Angela Brown
Feb 16, 2023
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Young lady was most helpful and phoned the owner direct to see if we could take our budgies to which the reply was yes Thank you for all your help
Simon Cawrey
Feb 16, 2023
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A fantastic cottage in a great location with wonderful owners. Enjoyed our short stay and would go back there again
Joanne Burd
Jun 14, 2022
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Not a good booking experience! The booking confirmation email received all as expected - then an hour later another email was received with a link to complete the booking process, and when the link was clicked on it said "Booking now cancelled - We're sorry to inform you that the property you are trying to book, is no longer available for the dates you have requested". A frantic phone call to the help line and speaking to a helpful lady established that this was a computer glitch, and that the booking was in fact in place - but it's all very unnerving, and without making the phone call we would have assumed the booking had been cancelled and may well have double booked a holiday elsewhere.
John Hughes
Jun 04, 2022
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Two and a half years ago we booked an 18 person cottage in the Lakes. I paid the deposit and then Covid arrived. I phoned Sykes to see what we could do to postpone our holiday. They informed me they had taken the full balance for the holiday that day but we could go in a years time. I had at no point given permission to take the balance but they had kept my debit card details and took the very large balance for all 18 people from my bank (no permission and no notification).
As our holiday was now over a year away I asked for our money to be returned in the mean time. They would not return the balance. I spoke to the manager who couldn't care less that I would be out of pocket by 3,000 for a year. The year came around and we were forced to postpone another year due to Covid. Again they insisted on holding my money. We have now had a good holiday (the cottage owners were lovely) but Sykes held my money, taken without agreement, for 26 months. Untrustworthy company - never use Sykes is my advice.
As our holiday was now over a year away I asked for our money to be returned in the mean time. They would not return the balance. I spoke to the manager who couldn't care less that I would be out of pocket by 3,000 for a year. The year came around and we were forced to postpone another year due to Covid. Again they insisted on holding my money. We have now had a good holiday (the cottage owners were lovely) but Sykes held my money, taken without agreement, for 26 months. Untrustworthy company - never use Sykes is my advice.
Tina Durrant
May 11, 2022
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Very good service booking on the phone. But having been with Sykes at least on three other occasions, I have not once been offered a voucher or discount that I have been assured I would get. My other gripe is that the booking fee has been increased to 55.00 from last years 40.00. Hard to find justification for such a rise. Obviously taking a leaf out of the energy suppliers book.
Stuart Wilson
Mar 17, 2022
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Terrible experience with this company, there is no point making complaints they simply do not care. They cannot take any responsibility for failing to deliver on the promises they make. Very poor level of bookings & always low booking values. Their pricing system is built on week stays which just isn't suitable for properties that are more suited to short stays. They claimed it could work for promoting short stays, the reality is they failed.
They are not suitable for unique properties, mass market approach just doesn't work. Never list your property with them they are fully focused on their best interests. Our property is no longer on sale with this company & we will never list with them again.
They are not suitable for unique properties, mass market approach just doesn't work. Never list your property with them they are fully focused on their best interests. Our property is no longer on sale with this company & we will never list with them again.
Glenys Brown
Mar 09, 2022
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First time we have booked accommodation with Sykes Holiday Cottages. Great experience, picked our perfect house but made an error in the booking! Rang customer service straight away and without any fuss or bother the lovely lady amended the details and within a very short time everything was perfect. So helpful and efficient, thank you. Now looking forward to our holiday in August.
TonySue Zz
Mar 05, 2022
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Great cottages (5*), booking process easy (4*) online and by phone, but beware of hidden added charges (1*) and Sykes accounting (0*). One booking has added 14% charges (admin fee+booking charge) to the rental cost. It then demanded 29 due now - without any explanation. Making a booking should involve the same work regardless of the cottage, yet booking fees differ (no explanation - booking charge this year is cheaper than 2 years ago). Sykes keep your card details, but offer no facility to see the card information which they hold.
I asked them to introduce this 2 years ago - no response (it was COVID). Is it legal to hold card details without allowing the card holder to see what is being held? It is easy to update the card for a new card - but you cannot see the old card details. You will love the cottages, but watch your Sykes account like a hawk.
I asked them to introduce this 2 years ago - no response (it was COVID). Is it legal to hold card details without allowing the card holder to see what is being held? It is easy to update the card for a new card - but you cannot see the old card details. You will love the cottages, but watch your Sykes account like a hawk.
Christine Sharp
Feb 25, 2022
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All the properties we have stayed in have been very good and descriptions have been accurate. Up to my latest booking the staff have been excellent and when a house we booked withdrew from the market and we did not want the alternative offered our refund came through very quickly. However, on our latest booking I had a question. I rang Sykes and was told they would look into it and call me back. I did not receive a call so I rang the property owner directly who willingly answered me but also told me Sykes had already contacted him. So why did Sykes not call me? Customer service in this instance was poor. My rating would otherwise have been higher
Carol Forster
Jan 20, 2022
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Everything from start to end of holiday was perfect lucker is situated to get to any beautiful beach easily vicarage cottage is a little piece of heaven just the peace and tranquility we needed the owner on the phone if needed and very friendly cake delicious we coming back next January
Kate Dawson
Jan 18, 2022
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Recently booked accommodation with Sykes. We needed a property with an EV charging point. We used the chat function to double check the property had what we needed on site. Staff were so, so helpful in answering our queries, keeping us updated and ringing us back with the information. Managed to book an amazing place thanks to Vicky. Brilliant customer service!
Rupert Bobrowicz
Jan 06, 2022
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This is our first booking with Sykes Holiday Cottages for the Peak District for a party of 4 elderly persons. Although the website was brilliant in determining our requirements, yet we needed further information on our chosen property. Having eventually found a contact number, Lisa gave us first class professional, polite and courteous customer service who took responsibility to seek our answers, phone back later at an agreed time and beautifully and clearly took us through the booking process answering any further questions. It was a delight to speak with her.
Amy Cannings
Sep 23, 2021
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We spent five nights at this fantastic location. A great base to get out and explore lots of different attractions. New Forest on the doorstep and also close to beach locations. Property done to the highest standard, love that it was pet friendly and also housing a hot tub in the garden which was lovely to relax after a days walking or biking. Owners could not of been more accommodating and all the extra touches were very much appreciated and only added to the stay. A must visit !
Adam Deary
Sep 15, 2021
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Perfect. Our first experience of a shepherd's Hut and it won't be our last. Incredible views, well equipped hut, ample parking and a very friendly and helpful host. A ton of things to do close by and our 5 day getaway felt like 2 weeks, we had so much to do! If you come to this place and don't like it - you need to stop going on holidays!!! The views from the hut arre amazing and the scenery changes by the minute. Great local restaurants, walks, attractions and beaches. Can't wait to come back.
Bradley Levitan
Aug 03, 2021
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Sarah, was an absolute joy to deal with for a property at extremely short notice. Very warm, bubbly and wonderfully helpful. You have a real gem there. Thanks so much for your First Class service Sarah!