Best Lakeside Cottages for a Relaxing Getaway | Top Waterfront Stays

Set high on a private plateau within 500 acres of wild Scottish woodland, Loch Long View does exactly what its name promises. With sweeping views across the loch to the surrounding peaks, this retreat enjoys cinematic landscape views.

The cottage, clad in weathered Siberian larch and framed by dark green windows, blends effortlessly into its surroundings. Outside, Highland cows and sheep roam freely across the hillsides, while red deer, pine martens and soaring eagles provide a daily reminder that this is deep wilderness. Behind the house, the loch teems with brown trout, reflecting the ever-changing Highland sky.

Inside, the ground floor offers a bright, dual-aspect kitchen and a generous living room with a wood burner. Upstairs, two tranquil bedrooms - a master and a twin – have uninterrupted views along the loch.

Despite its remote feel, Loch Long View is ideally positioned for day trips to the Isle of Skye, with the Skye Bridge just ten minutes away by car.

Lakeview Cottage, Yarrow Moor, near Bellingham, Northumberland

Sleeps 4. 3 beds. 7 nights from £685

Tucked on the edge of Kielder Water and Forest Park - within the celebrated International Dark Sky Park - this charming 19th-century cottage offers shimmering waters and starlit skies.

Set back from the road with uninterrupted views over the water, the cottage is full of rustic elegance. Inside, character is in abundance, with wooden shuttered windows, exposed beams and a generous multi-fuel burner perfect for post-walk unwinding. Large windows in both the kitchen and living room flood the space with light by day, while tiered decking to the rear provides the ideal spot for evening stargazing. With minimal light pollution, the Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park offers the rare chance to spot the Milky Way - or, with luck, the Northern Lights themselves. A visit to Kielder Observatory (advance booking essential) completes the experience.

Outside, the Northumberland landscape beckons. Just five miles away, Leaplish Waterside Park offers a swimming pool, spa and a hop-on ferry service.

The Lodge at the Lakehouse, Plaistow, West Sussex

Sleeps 2. 1 bed. 7 nights from £1,009

Set within more than 20 acres of manicured grounds, ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, The Lodge at the Lakehouse is a serene West Sussex hideaway with all the elements of a true rural idyll - including a private trout lake, a tennis court and freshly laid eggs from the owner’s hens.

Tucked on the edge of the South Downs National Park, this secluded one-bedroom cottage sits in the grounds of the owner’s home, but with its own private entrance and peaceful courtyard. But it’s what’s outside that really sets this place apart. A short stroll from your front door brings you to a private lake where you can fish for trout, walk beneath towering trees in your own patch of woodland, or enjoy a game on the tennis court. Wildlife is abundant - birdsong wakes you gently in the mornings, though earplugs are thoughtfully provided if the hens get ahead of schedule.

Perfect for a romantic escape, the setting is both luxurious and unspoilt. The South Downs are on your doorstep, and charming Sussex villages are just a short drive away.

South Snowdon Wharf, Porthmadog

Sleeps 2. 1 bed. 7 nights from £435

Perched on the edge of the tranquil Glaslyn estuary, this elegant second-floor apartment at South Snowdon Wharf offers sweeping water views and front-row access to one of North Wales most beautiful regions. Though technically wharf-side rather than lakeside, the setting more than delivers on serenity and scenery - from the private balcony, you’ll catch mesmerising sunrises and shifting tides.

Beyond the balcony, Snowdonia National Park unfolds - perfect for hiking, zip-lining, or exploring by rail on the historic Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, with Porthmadog station just minutes away. The Italianate village of Portmeirion is a short drive, as is the mighty Harlech Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with views as striking as its history, and with a ‘floating’ footbridge. And when the weather calls for it, head to Black Rock Sands - one of the few UK beaches you can drive onto, and with water sports to enjoy.

The Horse Gin, East Worlington, near South Molton, North Devon

Sleeps 4. 2 beds. 2 dogs welcome. 7 nights from £575

The Horse Gin sits within one acre of landscaped grounds, offering sweeping south-facing views towards Dartmoor. With wildflower meadows, a private lake, and a sense of stillness, this is rural living at its most peaceful. Part of a Grade II-listed Devon long barn, the cottage retains its original stonework, exposed beams, and vaulted ceilings, paired with modern comforts like underfloor heating, sleek kitchens, and walk-in showers.

The lake, just 50 yards from the property, is a centrepiece for lazy afternoons - with picnic spots and uninterrupted views. And when you feel like exploring, the village of Witheridge is a three-minute drive away, where locals queue for wood-fired pizza on Wednesdays and fish and chips on Fridays.

Nearby you’ll find the Michelin-starred Masons Arms in Knowstone, the CAMRA-awarded Grove Inn at King’s Nympton, and Devon’s oldest pub, The Stag Inn at Rackenford. For beach days, Saunton, Croyde and Westward Ho! are within easy reach.

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