Renting a beach cottage in the South West of England has never been more popular, with many couples and families choosing to holiday in the UK rather than abroad this year. Cornwall has Britain's longest coastline, consisting of nearly 400km of sweeping bays and world class surf beaches dotted with fabulous coastal cottages for rent. One of the most popular destinations in Cornwall is Newquay, browse our extensive range of Newquay accommodation today. If you are travelling to Cornwall don't worry about your four legged friend, as they are well catered for in our selection of over 300 dog friendly cottages in Cornwall. We have over 900 beach cottages in Cornwall, many just a short walk from the seafront, from large beach houses to studio apartments with sea views, check out our collection of Cornwall cottages by the sea. For those who prefer to stay put and enjoy the comfort of their self catering cottage and aren't too fussed with the whole idea of sandy feet and crowded beaches you might prefer to rent cottages in Cornwall with a pool so you don't even have to leave your front door! If you are a large group or two families sharing be sure to take a look at our large cottages in Cornwall which sleep 10 or more making them ideal for functions, parties or large family get togethers.

Devon is a very popular holiday destination for those looking for a beach holiday in the South West, especially our selection of Devon holiday cottages by the sea, which mean you can step out of your front door and take in some fresh sea air before you plan the day's activities. Many of the self catering coastal cottages Devon are pet friendly so be sure to browse our pet friendly cottages in Devon. From Woolacombe in the North of Devon down to St Ives in Cornwall and from Lands End to Plymouth, we have over 1500 of the best self catering holiday cottages for rent near the beach in the South West of England.

Another popular beach holiday destination in the South West is Dorset. Our selection of Dorset cottages by the sea will not disappoint as they are all located right on the seafront. The cottages enjoy spectacular sea views and are ideal for families or couples who prefer to be based right near the beach.

For surfers the South West coast of England or the West coast of Wales offers some of the best surfing conditions in Europe. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you are sure to find your perfect wave. On many of the popular surfing beaches you will find surf shops where you can hire equipment or even book a lesson, no matter what your level of expertise. Some of the more popular locations where you will find particularly good surf include Caswell Bay in Wales, Sennen Cove or Newquay in Cornwall and Croyde in Devon.

If you’re less inclined to tackle the many water sports available and it’s more about buckets and spades or relaxing, then you might like to try Watergate Bay or St Ives in Cornwall, Woolacombe or Bigbury on Sea in Devon or Camber Sands in Sussex. The UK has literally hundreds of pristine beaches and hidden coves to choose from, many which hold the coveted Blue Flag European accreditation.

Many of the beach cottages or apartments offer lockable storage for such items as surfboards, body boards and wetsuits, a very practical addition to your beach accommodation. After a hard days surfing, sunbathing or coastal walking you can kick back and relax on your outdoor balcony, decking or garden, enjoying the views, the sound of the sea or the sizzle of the BBQ. Heaven…

Following a very busy summer season we would like to thank you for all the feedback we have received. We have now read through it with great interest and have made a few wholesale changes, which we believe address the main issues that were highlighted. The overwhelming message was that you want all the holiday cottages to offer ‘live availability’ and the opportunity to ‘book online’. Well, as we do not own or manage any of the properties this presents a few challenges. So we came up with what we believe is a solution that works for everyone.

We have teamed up with a number of selected agents and owners in the UK and Europe who display real time availability and have the facility for online booking on their website and implemented a ‘Book Now’ button on their adverts on our site. When you click on ‘Book Now’ it takes you directly to the corresponding advert on the owner/agent’s website allowing you to check availability and book direct with the owner/manager of the property. The added benefit being that you are always assured of the lowest rates because you are dealing directly with the owner or the owners appointed agent. Also any current special offers will be displayed on their website which you may not have been aware of previously. So it’s a win-win situation for everyone!

We currently have about 1000 of the 3000 properties on the site set up in the ‘Book Now’ mode with many more being added over the coming months. We would also like to thank you for all the positive feedback we received. Many of you like the idea that we only take a selection of all the best holiday cottages, apartments and villas on or near the beach and advertise them on the site, offering what we think is the best choice of beach holiday rentals on the web. We also got some great comments from you about our easy to use interface and the uncluttered look and feel of the site. So thank you. We are working hard to make sure you have an even bigger and better selection to choose from in 2012, so why not join up to receive our free newsletter so you can keep up to date with any new properties and features as we introduce them.

Gavin - Managing Director

Wales is a land of contrasts, from secluded mountain valleys to crowded cities, with a heritage spanning the whole spectrum from rich poetry and song to the grit of the coalmines. For many people, self-catering holiday cottages in Wales are the ideal place for a family holiday as this unique country has an abundance of breathtaking scenery from coast to coast, and with activities that will appeal to people of all ages. Holiday cottages or apartments in Wales make the perfect base from where you can plan an endless variety of activities, including walking, pony trekking, cycling, bird watching or water sports, especially surfing.

If you are looking for an active holiday Anglesey has a lot to offer, as it is an ideal place for water sports right throughout the year. Golfers are also well catered for with numerous courses including four 18-hole courses. Another way to discover the delight of Anglesey is by bicycle, which is becoming more popular, whether you consider yourself a serious cyclist or just enjoy a casual ride. Many of the self-catering Anglesey cottages listed here are very close to one of the many beaches so in most cases you won’t even need a car.

If you enjoy visiting ancient historic sites, museums and cathedrals or places of national interest and importance, Wales certainly won’t disappoint. But if you're idea of perfect relaxation is to feel warm sand between your toes, then you are in for a real treat given the beautiful beaches that exist in Wales. Self catering apartments or holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire, Cardigan, Powys or, in fact, anywhere from north to south Wales, will provide an excellent base from which to visit the many idyllic beaches that Wales has to offer.