The UK’s unusually warm summer has pushed coolcations into the travel spotlight, with travellers seeking secluded stays beside open water or among cooler upland landscapes.
Provisional Met Office figures put the UK’s mean temperature at 16.48°C between 1 June and 10 August 2026. That was 1.88°C above the 1991–2020 average, making a new record for the warmest summer increasingly likely.
Demand has risen alongside the temperature. Cottages.com reported that searches containing coolcations increased by 420% during the three months before 5 August, while searches for escape the heat rose by 300%. These figures come from the company’s own platform, where Scotland was its most-viewed UK destination.
The season may have another warm spell to come. The Met Office long-range outlook for 1–15 September says overall temperatures are likely to be above average, with late-season hot spells or heatwaves possible, especially in southern areas. This remains a broad forecast rather than confirmation of an autumn heatwave.
Weather may still be warm. The six unranked Coolstays properties below were selected for access to water, remote settings and nature-led experiences that suit both warm days and changeable autumn conditions.
Prices are starting rates supplied by Coolstays and may change according to availability and travel dates.
1. Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage, Inner Hebrides
Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage is a whitewashed coastal retreat on a private four-acre island off Skye, surrounded by ocean and distant mountain views. Sleeping eight across four en-suite bedrooms, it is available from £650 a night.
The cottage sits beside its namesake lighthouse and has access to a private beach, garden and patio. Dark nights, coastal walks and the sound of waves make the island well suited to reading or simply resting without a packed itinerary. There is Wi-Fi but no television, while a wood-burning stove makes the living space inviting when autumn weather moves across the water.
Guests arrive by boat before following a rocky footpath, with transfers governed by the tides and weather. Visitors must be able to disembark safely, so this is best for groups comfortable with the practical demands of an isolated island stay.
2. Arrowdale Holiday Cottage, Ross-shire
Arrowdale Holiday Cottage is an architect-designed home near Gairloch in the Scottish Highlands, with around 100 metres of shoreline and direct access to a private beach. It sleeps six in three bedrooms and costs from £2,050 a week.
Large windows frame the surrounding water and mountains, while the window seat offers a quiet place to watch the weather change. A wood-burning fireplace, a generous dining table and a modern kitchen feature in the open-plan living area. Luxury bed linen and a large bath bring a refined finish to the understated interiors.
Guests can borrow the owners’ kayaks or launch their own paddleboards from the shore. Pine martens and roe deer may also appear around the garden. The house does not accept dogs, although it is family-friendly, and homemade meals can be ordered ahead for arrival.
3. The Kingfisher Houseboat, Pembrokeshire
The Kingfisher Houseboat is a timber cabin at the edge of a secluded lake in the Pembrokeshire countryside. Sleeping two adults plus two additional guests, it offers an off-grid lakeside break from £150 a night.
A ladder leads directly from the deck into the lake for wild swimming, and a Canadian dugout canoe is supplied for unhurried trips across the water. Guests can then settle into the hammock or watch for kingfishers and dragonflies from the deck.
Solar panels support the cabin’s low-impact design, while a wood burner keeps the interior cosy as autumn temperatures fall. The houseboat also has a compact kitchen, shower room and barbecue. Its open position beside deep water means it is unsuitable for children under eight and non-swimmers.
Pembrokeshire’s beaches and coastal paths are within reach, but the lake suits couples seeking swimming, wildlife and a quiet setting.
4. Lilypod, Devon
Lilypod comprises two floating glamping pods on a secluded farm lake near Dartmoor. Named Heron and Kingfisher, each pod sleeps two and is available from £220 a night.
Built using local timber and solar power, the pods combine eco-conscious design with practical comfort. Each has a handmade king-size bed, bamboo bed linen, a wood burner and skylights positioned for watching the night sky. A hammock hangs above the water outside, alongside a private deck and Canadian canoe.
Guests can swim in the lake, prepare simple meals in the compact kitchen or use the barbecue. There is no mobile-phone signal, so guests should be prepared to disconnect.
The farm also has a vineyard offering tours and tastings. Dartmoor’s walking and cycling routes are nearby, while the pod offers a quiet base for mornings beside the fire.
5. Beach House, St Ives
Beach House is a two-bedroom waterfront home in Lelant, overlooking Porthkidney Sands and St Ives Bay. It sleeps five and costs from £250 a night, with the beach less than a minute away.
The former studio of Cornish artist John Miller has an open-plan ground floor, private lawn and sun terrace facing the bay. A hot tub provides a warm place to watch the light shift over Godrevy Lighthouse, even when the breeze has an autumn edge.
Porthkidney Sands is dog-friendly throughout the year, and dogs can stay at the house for £100 per visit. Swimming, surfing and kayaking are available close by, while the South West Coast Path supports longer days on foot.
Lelant station is within walking distance, with a short train journey into St Ives for Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Leach Pottery. Rail access and coastal walking reduce the need for driving.
6. Anglesey Beach House, North Wales
Anglesey Beach House is a historic four-storey home overlooking the Menai Strait and the mountains of Snowdonia. Sleeping 13 across six bedrooms and a nursery, it costs from £1,995 a week.
Terraced gardens descend towards two entrances to a private tidal beach, giving guests direct access to the shore. Inside, a large angled bay window places the water and mountains at the centre of the living room, while original architectural details retain the house’s historic character.
The six bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, and the generous kitchen and terrace are designed for group meals. A converted cave bar is reached through the house’s historic cave entrance.
The 125-mile Anglesey Coast Path offers longer walks nearby, while The Gazelle pub is just 200 metres away. Small, well-behaved dogs may be accepted by prior arrangement with the owner. For extended families or friends planning an autumn gathering, the private shore and broad communal spaces are key features.
What to know before booking a UK coolcation
What is a coolcation? A coolcation is a holiday in a destination chosen for its cooler climate or cooler-feeling environment. Cottages.com says that, at the end of 2025, the term entered the Collins English Dictionary.
Are these properties guaranteed to be cool? No. Local weather can vary widely, and a long-range forecast cannot predict conditions at an individual property. These stays offer access to water, breezy coastlines and upland scenery rather than guaranteed temperatures.
Which stay is best for a digital detox? Lilypod has no mobile-phone signal. Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage has Wi-Fi but no television, and its boat-only island setting provides the greatest physical isolation.
Which properties work for larger groups? Anglesey Beach House has the highest capacity at 13 guests. Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage sleeps eight, while Arrowdale Holiday Cottage accommodates six.
