Essex

We selected the [listingCount] homes worth renting in this location

Book a stay in one of the best homes in [destination]

journal-redirect

This modern apartment is the perfect base for a solo traveller or couple looking to explore the beautiful market town of Halstead. Ingeniously designed to maximise the space and comfort, the living area feels much bigger than it really is (it's actually a studio flat). With the use of the industrial-style shutters, the bedroom is cleverly cut off from the open-plan kitchen and dining area, creating a cosy spot to enjoy a restful night's sleep or power through work at the dedicated study area – perfect for those in town on business. The spacious kitchen offers all the mod-cons for a comfortable long-term stay, with sleek worktops and appliances for preparing home-cooked perfection. Natural light pours in through the crittall windows making it a bright and airy apartment, while the private balcony opens the flat out to the lovely green views all around. Step out of the building and be right in the heart of Halstead, boasting boutique shops, coffee lounges and fine-dining restaurants to discover. Plus, you're a twenty-minute drive from Colchester town centre and less than thirty-five minutes from Stansted airport up the road.

All-In-One

Nestled on a campsite in the heart of Hertford lies this fabulous glamping pod, perfect for families and couples with their furry friends wishing to get a little closer to nature. Stay warm and toasty with central heating, or relax in the private wood-fired hot tub and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside and the lake just a stone's throw from your doorstep. Fire up the barbecue for dining alfresco on warm summer evenings, and bring a good quality torch with you for getting around at night, as parts of the camping site are unlit. There are plenty of amenities on-site for the family to enjoy, including a farm park where you can meet the alpacas, lambs, pigs and other farm animals. You'll also get a discount at the on-site farm shop, where you can get some great local produce as well as wood, coal and fuel for fires.

Enjoy the quiet oasis of the site, safe in the knowledge that you're only a short drive from the centre of Hertford. You'll have easy access to the local shops and pubs where you can enjoy a pint with the locals and take a trip to some of the nearby landmarks like Hertford Castle. Lace up your hiking boots and head to the Chadwell Way Sculpture Trail, where you can explore gorgeous scenery as you explore the towns and countryside of Hertford, Ware and Great Amwell.

Lakeside Smial

Delightfully cosy and packed full of charm, this old farm building feels like a hug personified. Step through the front door and you'll find high ceilings, exposed beams and inviting spaces filled to the brim with antique furniture. In the summer, outside is where you'll spend most of your time, exploring the 300-acre grounds, relaxing by the boating lake and cooking up a storm on the barbecue. On chilly evenings, there's nothing better than snuggling up in front of the wood-burner with a glass of wine and a good book. Whether you're tucking into a hearty breakfast around the dining table, watching telly on the sumptuous sofa or snoozing in the comfortable beds, you'll love calling this little hideaway home.

And make sure to pack your walking shoes. Situated on the edge of Dedham Vale AONB, this stunning landscape inspired John Constable's paintings, and there are endless countryside paths, leafy woodlands and rolling Suffolk hills to wander on your doorstep. The nearest village is Layham, only a short walk away, where you can decompress after a hike with a pint at the local pub. For more choice, head to Hadleigh, less than ten minutes by car.

Constable's Muse

Getaway to the Essex countryside with a stay in this Neo-Georgian home. Surrounded by a large garden, you can enjoy total privacy and beautiful views as well as a barbecue – perfect for warm weather afternoons. Inside, you’ll be treated to an indoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi and a steam room – covering all your wellness needs. And when it comes to socialising, take your pick from the impressive dining room, a cinema room and a games room. Events are allowed here for a small additional fee and it’s a wonderful base for exploring the surrounding countryside. 

Total Splendour

It feels like every detail has been considered at this beach village home. Crabbing equipment is provided for days exploring the rockpools of Mersea beach (a five-minute stroll away) and there’s a ping pong table in the summer house, making the perfect secret den for kids. Plus, the garden is planted with fresh herbs and even a walnut tree to add a bit of ultra-local flavour to your cooking. You’re in the heart of the village here too, with a private path leading to shops, cafés and the local fish and chip shop. 

There’s room for dining on the patio, which is a lovely spot surrounded by greenery and there’s a barbecue for summer feasts. Inside, there’s a cottage vibe to the living room with its wood-burning stove keeping things warm in the evening. The modern kitchen has plenty of space for the bustle of family mealtimes and the dining table sits in a sunny, conservatory-style spot overlooking the garden. Should you need to work remotely, there’s a study with a laptop desk and plenty of board games and books to entertain the group.

The Winkle Picker

This stunning 4-bedroom home is the perfect escape for families, friends, or groups looking for a spacious and comfortable stay. Professionally managed by Pass The Keys with a Sky TV package, a large garden super fast Wi-Fi, and parking for up to 6 cars, you're in for a delightful stay.

Howe Green Haven

In the heart of Stoke-by-Nayland — one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages — this immaculate cottage has stunning views over Box Valley. You’ll find a delightful mix of traditional and quirky here, with a battered leather chesterfield and a farmhouse table sitting alongside a supersized wall map and exposed bulb lighting. We love the surprising use of colourful wallpaper behind the bookshelf and in the second bedroom’s alcove, too. Wake up to the peal of the church bells and enjoy breakfast in the beautifully landscaped garden before taking a wander into the village. The church was the subject of a number of John Constable’s paintings, and he knew a thing or two about landscapes, so you can imagine how pretty it is round here. There are bountiful country walks in the surrounding Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and two of the best pubs in the area are less than a hundred metres from your front door, so after a long ramble, you can reward yourself with a pint of local ale.

The Perfection of Art

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a stay at this dreamy holiday home in the heart of rural Essex. Just twenty minutes from the historic market town of Bishop's Stortford, this gorgeous property is perfectly placed to explore everything the county has to offer. Jump in the car and head to Southend-on-Sea for a relaxing walk along England’s east coast or cycle into Takeley, where you’ll find a smattering of local pubs and restaurants to satisfy your hunger. 

Back at your cosy home from home, you’ll find everything you need for an exceptional stay. While two barns adjoin to this one, they are not interconnected, making this barn perfect for unwinding with friends or family. Gather everyone outside for a picnic by the meadow or share a bottle of English fizz at the spacious dining table before heading to bed for some well-deserved rest. 

Millers Mead

From its charming seafoam-green exterior to its sunny loft living space – a delightful area to unwind after a busy day – this home is the perfect marriage of period features and modern comforts. Tucked away in the village of Thaxted, it's right next to Clarence House – a beautiful 18th-century, Grade 1, Queen Anne listed property. 

Inside, the living room is a bright and welcoming space with its wood staircase, original beams and wall mouldings, and sash windows that flood the loft in natural light throughout the day. There's a sleek, modern kitchen ladened with everything needed for rustling up hearty breakfasts. It's been recently renovated so everything here is sparkling new, from the stylish bathroom to the comfortable bedroom. You're sure to get a peaceful night’s sleep thanks to the striking four-poster bed and church facing position.

While you could easily spend all day tucked inside your cosy cottage, go out and explore your surroundings. Head to the local market on Fridays, which takes place opposite the Guildhall. Here, you'll also find plenty of boutique-style shops, cafes and pubs to stop for a drink. Just beyond is John Webb's windmill (three minutes on foot), which is the gateway to many country walks accessible from the village. 

Postcard from Thaxted

For a secluded coastal getaway just an hour away from London, they don't come much better, or more picturesque, than this stunning cottage at the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. On one side, you've got yachts and barges passing on the sea lock and, on the other, a nature reserve that's a haven for migrating birds.

Despite its eighteenth-century origins, your hosts have modernised the cottage in a sympathetic way that pays homage to its humble roots, housing the foremen that worked on the canal. So while the exposed beams and wood burner in the living room probably haven't changed much over the years, the stainless steel kitchen and stunning glass sunroom ensure that it works perfectly for modern living. Meanwhile, upstairs, you'll find two elegant king-size bedrooms, a single room (available at an additional cost) and a luxurious marble shower room, with a second down on the ground floor.

Step out, and you'll find coastal walks that start right from your front door and a wide variety of wildlife to catch your eye. For those that want to get out on the water, why not take a trip on a Thames barge along the canal to Maldon (of sea salt fame). Here, you'll find posh pubs and charming tea rooms to cater to your every need. Six miles outside the town, Crouch Valley is home to a growing number of vineyards where you can sample the best that this little corner of Essex has to offer.

Foreman's Cottage

Hidden away next to ancient woodland in rural Essex, this cabin is a British getaway that overflows with quirk and charm.

Inside, classically styled furnishings, such as the tufted Chesterfield, oak dining table and the four-poster bed that's come straight out of a fairytale, rub shoulders with the eclectic animal portraits that dot the wall, the antler chandelier and antique-style gramophone — which actually works in case you're in the mood for a boogie. The copper rolltop bathtub that lies just next to the bed is another decadent touch that we can't help but salute.

The home's exterior is full of pleasant surprises, too. When the weather's warm enough — and even when it's not — you can sit out in the home's hot tub, before drying off on one of the egg chairs next to the roaring fire pit. It's possible to hear the sounds of wildlife from the neighbouring forest, as well as the occasional roar from Colchester Zoo, which is less than ten minutes' drive from the home.

Elsewhere in the local area, the huge Abberton Reservoir takes five minutes to reach in the car and offers spectacular birdwatching opportunities. The local village of Layer de la Haye, with its pair of pubs and farm shop, is a ten-minute walk away, too.

Kooky Cabin

It’s not often you stumble upon a family home near London with a swimming pool in its back garden. The modern house sits in the idyllic, riverside village of Amwell, within walking distance of a cosy local pub and a handful of shops, cafés and restaurants. It’s a fifteen-minute walk from St Margeret’s (Herts) train station if you’re arriving by rail or want to get into London. The swimming pool in the back garden, flanked by palms, wouldn’t look out of place in Palm Springs, and a bubbling hot tub awaits at the side of the pool house. Inside, it’s a classy, monotone affair, as though a black and white filter has been applied. The main lounge is a vision of dove-grey velvet, from floor to sofas (there’s plenty of room for the whole group in here) and the kitchen is sleek slate and black with all the mod cons of the 21st century. Gather the group at the long dining table for a big meal before heading off to bed in one of the stone-grey and white havens.

Hillside Retreat

United Kingdom luxury cottages

England luxury cottages

Wales luxury cottages

Scotland luxury cottages

Edinburgh airbnb alternatives

York airbnb alternatives

Cornwall luxury cottages

Cumbria luxury cottages

Devon luxury cottages

Dorset luxury cottages

Kent luxury cottages

Norfolk luxury cottages

Northumberland luxury cottages

Pembrokeshire luxury cottages

Somerset luxury cottages

Suffolk luxury cottages

The Cotswolds luxury cottages

Yorkshire cottages

United Kingdom

London airbnb alternatives

London luxury aparthotels

London luxury serviced apartments

London luxury short stay rentals

London luxury vacation rentals

London

Paris airbnb alternatives

Paris luxury aparthotels

Paris luxury short stay rentals

Paris luxury vacation rentals

Paris

Los Angeles airbnb alternatives

Los Angeles luxury vacation rentals

New York airbnb alternatives

New York luxury short stay rentals

New York luxury vacation rentals

Joshua Tree airbnb alternatives

Palm Springs airbnb alternatives

Palm Springs luxury vacation rentals

San Diego airbnb alternatives

United States

Italy luxury villas

Rome airbnb alternatives

Rome luxury vacation rentals

Milan airbnb alternatives

Florence airbnb alternatives

Venice airbnb alternatives

Apulia Luxury Villas

Sicily luxury villas

Tuscany luxury villas

Lake Como

Sorrento airbnb alternatives

Amalfi Coast airbnb alternatives

Italy

Spain luxury villas

Barcelona airbnb alternatives

Barcelona luxury aparthotels

Barcelona luxury vacation rentals

Madrid airbnb alternatives

San Sebastian airbnb alternatives

Canary Islands luxury villas

Costa del Sol luxury villas

Ibiza luxury villas

Malaga airbnb alternatives

Mallorca luxury villas

Marbella luxury villas

Spain

Portugal luxury villas

Lisbon airbnb alternatives

Porto airbnb alternatives

Algarve luxury villas

Madeira luxury villas

Portugal

Greece luxury villas

Athens airbnb alternatives

Crete luxury villas

Corfu airbnb alternatives

Mikonos airbnb alternatives

Rhodes luxury villas

Santorini airbnb alternatives

Greece

Berlin airbnb alternatives

Cape Town

Copenhagen airbnb alternatives

Dubai airbnb alternatives

Tel Aviv airbnb alternatives

Barbados luxury villas

Cyprus luxury villas

French Riviera luxury villas

Other

Top Destinations

Destinations

Essex Accommodation

Essex Accommodation for Groups

Essex Airbnb Alternatives

Essex Boutique Hotel Alternatives

Essex Holiday Rentals

Essex Hotel Alternatives

Essex Long Stay Rentals

Essex Monthly Rentals

Essex Self-Catering Apartments

Essex Short Stay Rentals

Essex Vacation Rentals

Types

Book a stay in one of the best homes in Essex

We selected the 6318 homes worth renting in this location

Who's coming along?

Home spotlights in Essex

We selected the top 3% holiday homes in Essex

Most popular homes in Essex

Check upcoming rates & availability for Essex

Frequently asked questions