Top properties for a city break

Accommodation, Family, Romantic breaks

Posted by Kate Williams on 31st March 2022

Brinkworth Park House

Take a city break to one of these bustling hubs of art and culture that can be found all over the UK. See iconic sights, explore magnificent cathedrals, and shop your way down ancient streets before partying the night away in the stylish city bars. Wherever you decide to visit on holiday, look out for special events including music nights or performances you might like to catch during your time away.

Head to the city lights of Edinburgh or wander the honeyed streets of Bath, soak up Hereford’s history or sunbathe on the beach during a city break to Swansea. If you know where you’d like to go and are ready to browse our beautiful city retreats, take a look through our collection of UK cottages.

UK Escapes


22a Douglas Row, Inverness | sleeps 2 and 2 dogs

Overlooking the River Ness, this cosy cottage offers a serene base from which to discover the city of Inverness. 22a Douglas Row is a wonderful waterside destination for a break with beaches 15 miles away and Loch Ness, famed for its mysterious monster, within 10 miles. This cottage sits right in the centre of the city so you can walk down to the magnificent castle, cathedral and riverfront eateries during your city break stay.

Things to do on a city break to Inverness:

  • Step inside the magnificent Inverness Castle
  • Walk over the suspension bridge to discover the Ness Islands
  • Pop inside the quaint shops of the Victorian market

'The House was very cute. Has everything needed to have a comfortable stay in Inverness downtown. Neighborhood is very quiet and relaxing, next to the beautiful River Ness. Parking place is just in front of the house and always has space in. If you want to be in a strategic place to enjoy Inverness downtown by walking, this is almost the perfect choice.' – Jesse 

Inverness cottages


Brinkworth Park House, Elvington, York | sleeps 8 and 2 dogs

Stylish, contemporary, stunning – this is a wonderful place to lay your head during a city break to York. With exquisite standards of décor, invite the whole family or a group of friends to stay in this holiday cottage and get out and about in the cathedral city of York visiting bars and restaurants, exciting attractions and independent boutiques. The River Ouse cuts through the heart of the city and there are parklands and gardens all around.

Things to do on a city break to York:

  • Enter the world of JORVIK Viking Centre
  • Take a walk down the historic Shambles
  • Sip craft beers at York Tap

'We loved this place. The online photos don't do it justice. You get a genuine home from home. It's got everything you need and is close to York so the touristy side of things is easy. The owners are very friendly and have even put together a useful welcome pack. You won't regret your stay here.' – Victoria

York cottages


Brundall Boathouse, Norwich | sleeps 2

A wonderful riverside retreat that’s close to both the bustling city of Norwich and the famous Norfolk Broads, this holiday cottage is a great choice for a waterside getaway. Enjoy a romantic retreat sitting out on the fantastic decking and watch boats float by as you enjoy your lunch. When you’re ready to venture into Norwich, there are museums, outdoor centres and exquisite manor houses which this region is well known for.

Things to do on a city break to Norwich:

  • Pick up supplies at Norwich Market
  • Walk the grounds of the serene Plantation Garden
  • Go wild at BeWILDerwood Norfolk

'The weekend was fabulous. The location was amazing. The premises were very clean and well equipped. The owner was very friendly and on hand if you needed anything.' – Denise

Norwich cottages


Arthur's Seat - Imperial Heights, Edinburgh | sleeps 4

Arthur's Seat - Imperial Heights, Edinburgh | sleeps 4

Set right in the heart of the impressive Scottish city of Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat - Imperial Heights has awesome views of the ancient landform it's named after. This apartment is a cosy, contemporary bolthole, and a great base from which you could explore the cobbled city streets of Edinburgh and enjoy attractions like Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace.

Things to do on a city break to Edinburgh: 

  • After gazing at Arthur's Seat all day from your apartment, go and enjoy a visit up close!
  • See the world in a new light at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
  • Meet a menagerie of animals at Edinburgh Zoo

'Lovely apartment, very clean, and it was nice to be greeted by the owners - they left us a lovely some lovely welcome treats. A great walk at Holyrood park, just a few minutes away. Easy to catch the buses into the city. We really enjoyed our stay.' – Jean 

Edinburgh cottages


Three Hares Carriage, Exeter | sleeps 2

This wonderful quirky and unique holiday cottage is the perfect place to stay for train enthusiasts and those who are looking for something a bit different! This two-person retreat offers a fantastic base for a city break with delightful surroundings yet is only a couple of miles from Exeter city centre. Wind your way through this beautiful destination whose university and city streets inspired parts of the Harry Potter series, and see if you can soak up some of that magical atmosphere during your city break.

Things to do on a city break to Exeter:

  • Delve underground into the Exeter Passages
  • Admire the objects and artwork at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) and Art Gallery
  • Shop your way around the streets of Princesshay shopping precinct

‘Such a beautiful find and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Perfect location for Exeter and the surrounding area. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip.’ – Eloise 

Exeter cottages



The Malvern Heron, Worcester | sleeps 6 and 2 dogs

One of several delightful lodges set in an idyllic Teme Valley farm location, this city break accommodation sits on the outskirts of Worcester and the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Take your pick between discovering the sights of this historical city and hiking the hillsides being rewarded with unforgettable views. History permeates every corner of ancient Worcester, from the Tudor architecture to the many museums dotted along the streets.

Things to do on a city break to Worcester: 

  • Take a boat ride on the River Severn
  • Climb Worcester Beacon for impressive snaps  
  • Head to the Heroes Bar Worcester for a selection of cocktails

‘The cottage is in beautiful grounds, a wonderful hot tub which we used every day. The owners are investing in a new games room area and will be converting the existing games room into a coffee shop where you can purchase breakfast on-site if you prefer not to cook. The farm animals are a treat to go and visit we especially liked the goats and potbellied pigs. There is a fishing lake which was fished daily. The countryside is stunning lots of great pubs that take dogs too. We thoroughly enjoyed it.’ – Julie

Worcester cottages



4 The Lodge, Oxford | sleeps 6

4 The Lodge, Oxford | sleeps 6

This wonderfully stylish chalet-style holiday home on the banks of the River Cherwell is a winning prospect; it's a gorgeous retreat situated 2 miles from the centre of Oxford and is a fantastic choice for families looking to explore this historic city. Admire the beautiful architecture, steeped in the famous honey-coloured stone local to the area, and visit the renowned Oxford University. There are museums, gardens and riverside walks for tranquil days out and, of course, plenty of shopping all across the city too.

Things to do on a city break to Oxford 

  • Check out what’s on offer at The Covered Market Oxford
  • Investigate historic Oxford Castle and Prison, and also the fascinating Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museums too
  • Walk the grounds of the serene Oxford Botanic Garden

‘The lodge was very well-equipped and was in a great location to explore nearby Oxford and The Cotswolds. The owners were excellent hosts, always available to offer recommendations for places to visit and local information.' – Louise

Oxford cottages


Bwthyn Derw - Oak Cottage, Swansea | sleeps 4

Just outside of Swansea, this pretty stone bothy for four is a delightful place for a city break to a peaceful location yet just 3 miles from the heart of this bustling waterfront city. From this idyllic cottage with rural views, you can head into the city to discover the ancient ruins of Swansea Castle, drop by restaurants, shops and galleries, and take a walk on Swansea Beach.

Things to do on a city break to Swansea:

  • Venture down the coast path to the iconic Mumbles landmark
  • Spend time on the waterfront at The National Waterfront Museum
  • Visit Dylan Thomas’ Birthplace

‘The property is very well maintained, modern and cosy. It's in a great location and the owners were extremely friendly.’ – Jason 

Swansea cottages



Quercus, Hereford | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

Quercus, Hereford | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

This very attractive single-level holiday home is a superb choice to base yourself for a city adventure. It's also well-situated for long winding walks, and is just the place to relax and unwind during your city break. It’s 7 miles from the city centre where you can enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing, there are museums and parks to visit, and you could even go kayaking on the River Wye, which runs through Hereford if you fancy an active day trip.

Things to do on a city break to Hereford:

  • Take a tour and have a tipple at the Hereford Cider Museum
  • Enter the half-timbered Black and White House Museum for an  insight into Jacobean times
  • Head to Hereford Cathedral to see the magnificent medieval Mappa Mundi

‘Wonderful location, cottage and stay. Ideal for what we wanted, lovely garden, very secure for our dogs, lots of lovely walks to take the pets on (lots of maps and guides in the cottage which were excellent help finding places to go). We'll definitely be coming back!' – Russell

Hereford cottages


Stay in a self-catering holiday cottage

Begin browsing our full collection of holiday cottages and stylish apartments throughout the UK and find your ideal property whether you decide to stay in the city, hideout in the country, or lounge by the coast.

Browse cottages

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.