Sykes Holiday Cottages has crowned some of the UK’s best holiday cottages in its latest awards including best for young families, with the best views and pet-friendly properties
The UK is filled with beautiful holiday homes whether you’re after a cosy cottage for a romantic break, or a castle-turned-holiday-rental for a weekend away with a huge group of friends and family. The sheer amount of offer can sometimes make it a little trickier to unearth the hidden gems.
Luckily, Sykes Holiday Cottages have helped to narrow it down as they have unveiled the winners of their 2026 Sykes Gem Awards. I was a judge as part of a wider panel, with scores based on a number of factors including guest reviews, the quality of a property, amenities on offer, and even overall popularity.
This year’s winners have included a Grade II-listed lighthouse, a stay in the grounds of the historic Culzean Castle, a cosy glamping hut in the heart of Herefordshire, and a romantic bolthole on the Isle of Lewis.
You can check out the full list of winners here, but below are 12 properties which won gold that we think you’ll definitely want on your radar for your next UK holiday…
- Best Farm Stay – The Sty in Derbyshire
- Best for Beaches – Bucket and Spades in East Sussex
- Best for Couples – Hona on the Isle of Lewis
- Best for Young Families – The Olde Cow House, Shropshire
- Best for Glamping – Evendine Hut @ Evendine Cottage in Herefordshire
- Best for Large Groups – Oakdene Country House in The Yorkshire Dales
- Best Pet-Friendly Property – Estuary View in Cornwall
- Best for Views – 2 Channel View in Devon
- Best for Walking – Larch Cottage in the Lake District
- Best Historic Property – Clocktower at Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire
- Best Luxury Property – The Ridge in the Lake District
- Best Quirky Property – The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse in Lincolnshire
It’s not just Sykes Holiday Cottages that’s been serving up a dose of staycation inspiration. Earlier this year, HolidayCottages gave us plenty of UK holiday ideas when it unveiled its 2026 Showcase Awards with categories including winners for Most Iconic Design, Extraordinary Stays and the best in UK and Ireland.
Have you got a holiday story to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com