May bank holiday cottage breaks

Q: When are the May bank holidays in 2027?

There are two May bank holidays in 2027. The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 3 May and the spring bank holiday falls on Monday 26 May.

Q: What is the difference between the early May bank holiday and the spring bank holiday?

The early May bank holiday, sometimes called May Day, falls on the first Monday of May and marks the start of the month. The spring bank holiday falls on the last Monday of May and traditionally marks the end of spring. In 2027 they are four weeks apart, giving you two separate chances to get away.

Q: Is May half term the same as the spring bank holiday?

In most cases, yes. For the majority of schools in England, May half term coincides with the spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May, making it a popular time for family breaks.

Q: Can I book a cottage for just a long weekend?

Yes. Many of our cottages are available for short breaks of two, three or four nights, so you don't need to book a full week to make the most of the May bank holiday.

Q: Is it too late to book a May bank holiday cottage?

It's never too early to book and availability for bank holiday weekends does go quickly, particularly for the spring bank holiday which falls during half term. That being said, cottages.com often has last-minute deals for the May bank holiday weekends. Search your dates now to see what's available.

Two bank holidays, two chances to get away. The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 3rd May 2027, with the spring bank holiday following on Monday 31 May 2027, which also coincides with May half term. So, whether you're planning one trip or two, a long weekend or a week away, there's plenty to look forward to. Search your dates, pick your corner of the country and let the long weekend do the rest.

View all cottages for the Early May bank holiday 2027

Traditional thatched cottage in Hordle, near Lymington, New Forest, Hampshire, UK

Top-rated early May bank holiday cottages for 2027

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Exterior | Wern Ddu Cottage, Penybontfawr, near Oswestry

Customers' Choice

Penybontfawr, near Oswestry, Shropshire

Wern Ddu Cottage

Hot Tub

Luxury

Wifi

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Pets

5

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£767

View

Exterior | Brimble Cottage, Axminster, nr. Lyme Regis

Customers' Choice

Axminster, near Lyme Regis, Dorset

Brimble Cottage

Coastal

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
1 Pet

4.9

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£417

View

Customers' Choice

Horton, Somerset

Whitney Cottage

Hot Tub

Luxury

Wifi

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
1 Pet

4.8

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£423

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Grade II listed holiday cottage in a pleasant village location | Picket Piece Cottage, Chadlington, near Chipping Norton

Customers' Choice

Chadlington, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

Picket Piece Cottage

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

Pub Within 1 Mile

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
0 Pets

4.8

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£533

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Living room/dining room | Y Beudy Gwydir, Trefor Nr Caernarfon

Customers' Choice

Trefor Nr Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Y Beudy Gwydir

Coastal

Hot Tub

Luxury

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
0 Pets

4.8

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£651

View

Exterior | Cart Shed - Fern Farm, Fylingdales, near Whitby

Customers' Choice

Fylingdales, near Whitby, North Yorkshire

Fern Farm - Cart Shed

Coastal

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
2 Pets

4.8

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£353

View

Exterior | The Bobbin, Kelstedge, near Matlock

Customers' Choice

Kelstedge, near Matlock, Derbyshire

The Bobbin

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

Enclosed Garden / Patio

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
2 Pets

4.6

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£367

View

Hot tub | The Barn, Bury Gate, near Pulborough

Customers' Choice

Bury Gate, near Pulborough, West Sussex

The Barn

Hot Tub

Luxury

Wifi

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
2 Pets

4.7

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£611

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Ingoldisthorpe, near Hunstanton, Norfolk

Bramble Cottage

Coastal

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
2 Pets

4.5

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£287

View

Thoughtfully designed stone barn | Bailey’s Barn, Bonsall, near Matlock

Customers' Choice

Bonsall, near Matlock, Derbyshire

Bailey’s Barn

Luxury

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
2 Pets

4.9

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£443

View

Customers' Choice

Stirling, Stirlingshire

Osprey Hideaways - Kestrel Cottage

Luxury

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
0 Pets

4.9

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£533

View

Exterior | Robins Nest - Willersley Farm, Cromford, near Matlock

Customers' Choice

Cromford, near Matlock, Derbyshire

Robins Nest

Wifi

Car Parking On Site

Enclosed Garden / Patio

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
1 Pet

4.8

out of 5

30 Apr•3 nights

^£247

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Top destinations for a May bank holiday cottage break

Cornwall

Turquoise coves, coastal paths & the top surf beaches in Britain

Devon

Fishing villages, wild moors & two coastlines to explore

Pembrokeshire

Clifftop walks, dolphin spotting & the best beaches in Wales

Norfolk

Big skies, lazy rivers & miles of unspoilt beaches

Lake District

Boat trips, lakeside dining & longer evenings on the fells

Yorkshire

Rolling dales, charming market towns & fish suppers on the beach

Scottish Highlands

Ancient castles, crystal-clear lochs & golden evenings over the glens

Northumberland

Dramatic fortresses, puffin islands & miles of wild dunes

Isle of Wight

Coloured sand cliffs & sunsets over the Solent

Cotswolds

Honey-stone villages, wildflower meadows & lazy afternoons by the river

Why a May bank holiday cottage break works

A bank holiday weekend is one of the easiest ways to get a proper break without touching your annual leave - and in May, you have not one, but two to make the most of. Two or three nights away in a cottage gives you enough time to actually unwind, whether that's a long walk on the first day, a slow morning on the second and the drive home on the third. And as the Spring Bank Holiday (31st May 2027) falls during May half term, you can extend into a full week and make the most of the longer days as a family.

May bank holiday deals

Two bank holidays mean two opportunities to find a great deal for your UK break. Browse our cottage holiday deals and offers and secure your perfect property from just £25 deposit, with monthly payment plans and flexible cancellation options for added peace of mind. Fancy staying for free on the third night of your May bank holiday getaway? Use our "3 nights for the price of 2" filter when searching to see participating holiday homes.