Uttlesford

If you're planning to stay in self-catering accommodation, you'll want to think ahead about provisions and activities. The cottages offer the independence of a home from home, which suits families or groups spending several days in one place. Beyond the immediate vicinity of your cottage, you'll find yourself in Essex countryside, with the freedom to venture out at your own pace.

The district includes several villages worth exploring at leisure, and its position means you're within reach of larger towns and attractions across Essex and the borders with Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. A self-catering stay here works best if you're comfortable being self-sufficient for meals and entertainment, or if you're using it as a base for days out elsewhere in the region.