The new BBC thriller, The Nest, was filmed at Cape CoveHave you ever spotted a gorgeous property on your favourite TV programme or film and thought, ‘I'd love to stay there’? Well, now you might just get the chance!
We’ve got some extraordinary holiday cottages hidden within our collection that are also the filming locations for some of the UK’s most popular shows. Imagine cooking in a kitchen that’s been used by Nigella Lawson, sleeping in a bed that’s featured in one of this year’s top thrillers, or soaking up the same breathtaking views that the cast of Doc Martin have enjoyed.
Read on to discover incredible properties that have featured on TV or in film. You can also view our full collection of UK cottages by clicking the button below.
UK cottages
Summercombe, Ilfracombe, North Devon
Sleeps 4 + 1 dog
This gorgeous detached Grade-II listed barn conversion featured in episode 8 of Holiday Homes in the Sun – and it’s not difficult to see why. Surrounded by picture-postcard countryside on the outskirts of the popular resort of Ilfracombe in North Devon, Summercombe is the perfect place for a small family or group of friends to get away from it all. The reverse-level layout means the living space is accessed by a stylish metal and oak staircase; a vaulted ceiling, oak beams and large skylights make this open-plan area special. It’s the ideal spot for sociable meals and relaxing evenings in, with a wood burner taking the chill off in cooler months.
The idyllic outdoor space sits well alongside the beautifully presented interiors. As well as a patio area, with BBQ and sun loungers, there is access to a pretty meadow and dog walking field. The property is within easy reach of surfing hotspot Woolacombe, the captivating cove at Hele and the charming village of Berrynarbor. From Ilfracombe, you can catch a ferry across to Lundy, an island renowned with nature lovers for its wildlife and seabirds.
Book Summercombe
Filming The Nest at Cape Cove credit: Instagram @mrmartincompstonCape Cove, Cove, Argyll and Bute
Sleeps 10
Set to be the most gripping show of 2020, The Nest is a new five-part BBC thriller starring Line of Duty's Martin Compston and Gentleman Jack actress Sophie Rundle. This intriguing drama is written by Nicole Taylor, who penned the five-time Bafta-winning BBC drama, Three Girls. The story sees a wealthy couple make a pact with a down-on-her-luck teenager (Mirren Mack) to carry their baby, which unwittingly changes all their lives forever. The couple’s enormous waterside house where the main scenes have been shot is our extraordinary holiday home, Cape Cove in Scotland.
An award-winning luxury house with its own private beach, this blissful retreat lies on the shores of Loch Long in Argyll. The open-plan living space boasts sleek lines, contemporary features and seamless wall-to-wall windows looking out over the ebbing water below, creating the illusion of walking on water. Drink in the panoramic views from beside the warmth of the wood burner, out on the balcony, or from the soothing bubbles of the cedar hot tub on the terrace. There’s even a private mooring and jetty if you want to bring a boat, or a charter boat can be arranged locally for the ultimate VIP experience.
Book Cape Cove
Blistors Farm - The Bull Pen, near Coleford, Forest of Dean
Sleeps 9 + 3 dogs
Tucked away in the heart of the Forest of Dean, you will instantly recognise the distinctive yellow front door of this unique property if you’ve been watching Netflix’s comedy-drama, Sex Education. This beautifully converted bullpen overlooking the Wye Valley has become as much a star of the series as the actors. Blistors Farm is the fictional home of two of the programme’s key characters: no-nonsense, 16-year-old Ola and her DIY-mad father Jakob. Step inside and you’ll soon see why the crew chose this iconic cottage.
When the house isn’t being used for filming, you can make yourselves at home and enjoy the colourful interiors which retain much of the 70s style used in the series. You’ll find everything you need for a cosy country retreat including a sitting room with squashy sofas and an open fire, four spacious bedrooms, and large mature gardens with plenty of sunny spots to enjoy some al fresco dining while admiring the views. For added indulgence, there is also a private hot tub, tennis court, a 2-acre enclosed area for dogs and, bizarrely, a Tardis tucked away in the garden.
Book Blistors Farm – The Bull Pen
Nigella Lawson at Redford Farm Barns. Credit: Instagram @nigellalawsonRedford Farm Barns, near Ludlow, Shropshire
Sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
In 2017, the festivities were in full swing at Redford Farm Barns in Shropshire which played host to Nigella Lawson’s Christmas special of At My Table. Festooned in fairy lights, the enviable kitchen was transformed into a yuletide scene while the celebrity chef demonstrated some of her decadent recipes. Roast duck with orange, soy and ginger; parmesan mashed potato gratin; devilled eggs; sticky toffee pudding; chocolate pistachio meringue cookies, and a Christmas martini were all on the menu of this hour-long show. And of course, there was the trademark midnight fridge raid, complete with a red silken dressing gown!
If you’d like to recreate some of the indulgent treats from the show in this well-equipped and stylish kitchen, then click the button below to book a stay. Hidden away within 12 acres of farmland, this big and beautiful bolthole is perfect for a special occasion or an extravagant celebration. Collect fresh eggs for your dishes from the chickens and ducks on the farm and whip up a feast in Nigella’s kitchen, before ending your evening in the entertainment barn featuring a traditional bar, wood burner and darts board.
Book Redford Farm Barns
Sycamore Barn, near Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons
Sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse who stayed in Sycamore Barn in the Brecon Beacons during episode 1, series 2 of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. After spending the day fishing for wild brown trout on the picturesque River Usk nearby, where Paul’s father first taught him to fish as a young child, they retreat to this cosy cottage in the heart of the rolling countryside. A relaxing evening follows as the two friends compare old school photographs and discuss their respective childhoods before Paul serenades Bob with his guitar.
Enjoying a magical hillside setting with awe-inspiring views across to the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Black Mountains, this traditional stone barn is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While the interiors are beautiful, with exposed beams and stone walls, sloping ceilings and an abundance of character and charm, the real highlight is the garden. During the day, sit outside and watch the light drift across the surrounding mountain scenery, and at night, make use of the cottage’s telescope and tilt your head to the skies to marvel at the twinkling stars of this International Dark Sky Reserve.
Book Sycamore Barn
Dinnabroad Cottage, near Port Isaac, Cornwall
Sleeps 6 + 3 dogs
Enjoying a prime spot on a 140-acre farm in Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Dinnabroad Cottage was also the setting for 'Aunty Joan's Farm' on ITV’s hit series, Doc Martin. Aunty Joan was one of the most beloved characters until she sadly departed at the end of series 4, so this is a wonderful place to stay if you’re a big fan of the programme. It’s also less than 5 miles from Port Isaac where more Doc Martin filming locations can be found such as Doctor Ellingham’s surgery, the local school and the church.
Perfect for families looking for peace and solitude, this charming abode offers miles of scenic walks along valleys and windswept clifftops from the front door, including the wildlife-rich Nature Trail. When you return, take a seat in the garden and drink in the far-reaching vistas over patchwork fields and the sparkling sea. Then, when night falls, there are three restful bedrooms to lay your head and dream of your next adventures.
Book Dinnabroad Cottage
The Retreat - Sandsend, Sandsend, North Yorkshire
Sleeps 4
There’s a very good reason that this chocolate-box cottage in North Yorkshire was chosen to feature on Season 2 of Channel 4’s Homes by the Sea in 2014. As if plucked from the pages of a storybook, this fairy-tale cottage dates back to the 17th century and stands proudly amidst its award-winning gardens. Parcelled between the moors and sea in Sandsend, this five-star retreat is an idyllic luxury escape for couples and small families.
On a sunny day, you can easily while away an hour or two in over half an acre of exquisitely landscaped gardens, perhaps sharing a traditional English cream tea in the scented rose garden or the divine little summer house. The interiors are equally as illuminating, with white painted timbers and shades of soft cream – it’s no surprise that this was once the glamorous home of the American editor of Vogue. Curl up by the glowing flames of the wood burner in the lounge and enjoy an indulgent soak in the roll-top bath before bed.
Book The Retreat - Sandsend
Old Crofftau, Cantref, Brecon Beacons
Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Not all lamb is created equal and nor are all cottages. This rustic detached property in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons was the showcase cottage for the 2014 TV advert for Welsh Lamb, and it’s easy to see why it was chosen. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, valleys and undulating hills, this converted farmhouse exhibits the best that Wales has to offer and so when you want to demonstrate the quality of your lamb, you have to choose the finest setting.
Fun fact: in the video, it was raining but on the day of the shoot, no drizzle appeared so they had to create their own weather using water from the back of a truck! If you find yourself here on a damp day, fear not as the rustic interior welcomes you in with vaulted ceilings, exposed stonework, original beams and a wood burner to warm your toes by.
Book Old Crofftau
Holidays from the small screen
Why not enjoy a staycation somewhere different this year and follow in the footsteps of your favourite celebs in one of these famous UK properties? We’ve got even more beautiful holiday cottages in the UK within our collection for you to browse, whether you fancy a romantic retreat for two, a big family getaway where everyone’s invited or even a dog-friendly stay. Create extra special memories with your favourite people by clicking the button below!
UK holiday cottages