Bagging the perfect self-catering stay? Frankly, who has the time to trawl endless listings when there are outfits to plan and rosé to chill. Enter Holiday Cottages – your shortcut to a seriously good UK break without the faff.

Once a small, family-run business (hello humble beginnings), it’s now a slick operation with over 16,000 properties across the UK’s most lusted-after locations – think Cornwall, Devon, Scotland, Dorset, Norfolk, the Cotswolds and beyond. Basically, wherever you’re dreaming of escaping to, they’ve probably got a key waiting.

The beauty is in the breadth. Romantic boltholes with hot tubs? Tick. Big, blow-the-budget houses with pools, tennis courts and room for the entire WhatsApp group? Also tick. There are even dog-friendly options that don’t feel like a compromise (finally). Whatever your vibe – off-grid hideaway or glossy family HQ – they’ll match you to it.

And because they’ve been doing this for over 30 years, they don’t just know the cottages – they know the postcode. When you’re not devouring Muddy for all your insider intel, check out their local guides. In short: less Googling, more holidaying. You’re welcome.