Wonderful holiday cottages in Shropshire

This delightful, land-locked county is bursting with high-quality Shropshire holiday rentals, from small, cosy cottages in charming villages to large, countryside retreats off the tourist trail - great for gathering friends and family and often with walks from the door. For those of you not restricted to peak times of year (summer school holidays, for example), do look out for off-season breaks - check your preferred Shropshire holiday let for details and late offers. Or see what accommodation in Shropshire is available just before you plan to travel - grabbing a last-minute bargain means spare cash for holiday treats! Whenever you plan a trip, you're certain to find your perfect holiday rental in Shropshire. Read on and discover each property below, or narrow your search and check live availability of all our holiday lets in Shropshire using the map and tick boxes above.

Exploring Shropshire on your cottage holiday

An unassuming county, nestling alongside the Welsh border yet tucked away in the deep, lush heart of England, Shropshire is a region to surprise and delight the most well-travelled of visitors.

Away from the masses, Shropshire quietly celebrates its unspoilt, rolling countryside, its gentle hills ideal for walkers yet so relatively empty, its ancient Tudor market towns of half-timbered houses, sleepy canals and proud industrial heritage. Ever since the Romans first passed through, this region has honed the art of hospitality to perfection. A Shropshire holiday cottage allows you to dine out in the region's fine restaurants, pubs and inns, or source your own ingredients at established towns that are a gourmet shopper's delight, such as Ludlow, Shrewsbury or Oswestry.

Shropshire holiday cottages are the ideal place to retreat from the stresses and strains of modern life. Keen walkers and casual ramblers alike will find sanctuary amid the quiet trails and pathways of the Shropshire Hills, free from the throngs of visitors so often found at better known beauty spots. Soak up the views from the high tor of Stiperstones, enjoy an idyllic ramble on Wenlock Edge or at the Long Mynd in the south of the county, or enjoy the freedom of cycling on two wheels, lapping up the miles of well-mapped routes along canal paths and bridleways through sleepy country villages with welcoming local pubs. But if you prefer things a little livelier, for all the peace and tranquillity to be found on a Shropshire cottage holiday, the county is also rich with visitor attractions, making it equally appealing as a destination for families or those seeking a balance between leisure and more active pursuits. With all there is to see and do while staying in a cottage in Shropshire you are sure to have a truly unforgettable holiday experience!

Plenty to see and do on your Shropshire Holiday

Many of the region's attractions are linked to its industrial heritage. The story of the industrial revolution unfolds at designated World Heritage Site, Ironbridge, with its nine different gorge museums. You can follow the trail of legendary King Arthur at Wroxeter; the mythical setting of Camelot and the authentic location of a Roman city complete with remains, ruins and artefacts. It also has vineyards that are well worth visiting too! Take a trip back in time on the Severn Valley Railway, visit historic Stokesay, Acton Burnell, Whittington or Ludlow Castles or the Royal Airforce Museum at Cosford. Those with older children will enjoy innovative Enginuity in Telford, while families with little ones will never be far from one of the many farm experience attractions to be found in this agricultural heartland.

If you're looking for an indulgent break with fine foods, wine, culture and shopping then a Shropshire cottage holiday is the perfect solution. Choose a cosy Shropshire cottage near Ludlow, the region's gourmet capital, and enjoy Michelin starred restaurants. Alternatively, you can linger among its ancient streets brimful of enticing specialist shops and mouth-watering delis, dedicated to every imaginable delight from chocolate to cheese and much more besides. Or pick out a Shropshire cottage near an historic market town, such as Church Stretton, Bridgnorth or Oswestry in the Welsh Borders, and join in with market day in time-honoured fashion. If more contemporary shopping is your bag, then enjoy it with a twist of history in the Tudor half-timbered shops of Shrewsbury or Ludlow.

The gardens of Shropshire and its neighbouring counties come in all shapes and sizes. From those at Powis, Chirk and Cholmondeley Castles to the National Trust gardens at Attingham Park, Erdigg and Benthall, and not forgetting Weston Park and Hawkstone Historic Park, there are water gardens and formal gardens, plantsmen's gardens and nurseries, all blooming furiously thanks to the county's uniquely rich geological structure. Little wonder then that the region hosts acclaimed flower festivals, such as Shrewsbury's Flower Show and the Wem Sweet Pea Festival.

And did you know that Shropshire has it's own 'Lake District'? The northern part of the country is home to 'The Meres', a series of nine glacial lakes. Nature lovers will want to spend a day at Ellesmere; take a boat out on the water and indulge in a spot of fishing or bird watching, or enjoy a circular ramble around Colemere.

One famous author poetically described Shropshire as 'the nearest earthly thing to Paradise'. So whether your idea of a Shropshire cottage paradise is a cosy hideaway with a wood-burning stove near Church Stretton, a break in a holiday cottage in Market Drayton or a luxury cottage for a weekend break in Cleobury Mortimer, your Shropshire cottage holiday is sure to provide the key to a tranquil yet energising break.