Floral chintz fabric and fiddly cross-stitch were once the domain of sweet, countryside-dwelling grandmas. But now every millennial is trying to ape their elders, spending long days hunched in the garden and decking out their homes in gingham and lace.

Why? Chalk it down to ‘cottagecore’ – part aesthetic movement, part lifestyle choice, it emerged on social media in 2020 as a means of retreating from the modern world and into a simpler, softer, sourdough-scented way of life.

But if you really want to go the full monty, you have to get yourself an actual cottage – so we’ve rounded up the dreamiest spots for all that bread-making, flower-foraging and frolicking you’re going to do. Oh yes, you are. 

Spinks Nest, Norfolk

A challenge of a woodpile at Spinks Nest cottage

Good things definitely do come in small packages when it comes to this bijou converted historic cottage in a pretty village in Norfolk. Spinks Nest may be very compact but it packs a lot in: cosy chairs by the wood burner, all mod con kitchen, weird and wonderful taxidermy and a huge sunken concrete bath that makes for a very atmospheric soak with lots of heavenly smelling bathing products. There’s plenty of seriously cute towns, epic beaches, grassy marshlands and local bakeries and delis nearby to check out too.

Nearest airport: London Stansted
spinksnest.booksterhq.com 

Coral Cottage, Yorkshire

Coral Cottage is brimming with antiques sourced from near and far / Image: Yorkshire Hideaways

Sitting pretty on the historic Castle Howard Estate, this super-trad stone cottage is chocka with intriguing antiques sourced from the castle and beyond. There’s something to ogle in every corner – blue and white porcelain on display in the kitchen, vintage oil landscapes studding the walls and a cornucopia of lamps to softly light the pages of that novel you’ll finish over the weekend. You’re also well-placed to explore both the bumbling bridleways of the North York Moors or – if you have a car – the ruggedly pretty Yorkshire coastline, where you’ll find throwback fishing villages like Filey and Whitby.

Closest airport: Newcastle
yorkshirehideaways.co.uk