Our Google Reviews
Elizabeth Gerber
1 month ago
Reading all the positive reviews about the English Cottage Vacation it seems too good to be true. However, It is true! Laura and Nathan are amazing hosts! They were professional from day one on planning our trip. They listened to us and helped to create the perfect experience for our 6 person family.
They took care and effort in all facets of the trip. From booking events in advance so we had tickets (a must for Stonehenge), to driving all over the countryside with care and efficiency. Nathan was the perfect Guide and facilitated every need.
The cooking was amazing. The meals were well prepared and beautiful to look at. The ambiance Laura created was stellar. I cannot praise her enough. She even allowed my teenage daughter to cook with her to pick up on some tips from an experienced professional chef.
The cottage is as advertised. Comfortable and full of all needed amenities. It is tucked away into a small village with hedge lined roads and fields for days. The garden is what you would picture when thinking of an English garden.
Overall we would give them more stars if we could. We are looking forward to our next visit at the English Cottage Vacation.
Catherine Carter
2 months ago
Excellent communication with hosts. Nathan knows England, its streets, back roads, and places for views and great pics. Laura’s meals are delicious and healthy! Just warning for those not used to three meals a day - her meals are scrumptious and satisfying. Bring the stretch waste bands and good supportive walking shoes to walk off the calories! However - know your body will appreciate her herbs, fresh fruit and veggies, and attention to detail at each meal.
The itinerary is set in communication with Nathan. Or it’s set based on occupancy and timing. Every place visited was delightful and with first class treatment.
Truly a vacation I won’t forget! Friends made and hopefully I will be blessed to visit again soon.
Carol O'Connor
4 months ago
Beyond our expectations! Food, drinks, excursions, beautiful warm and cozy cottage and Laura and Nathan are so warm and welcoming, you feel so comfortable and peaceful here!
Missy Chance
8 months ago
Perfection from the time you are picked up at airport until you are dropped off. Nathan and Laura have seen to every detail of your stay in the beautiful English countryside. The cottage, the food and the itinerary are beyond compare. Best vacation ever.
Phil Moore
8 months ago
I joined this vacation with my wife, who was making her second journey to Well Cottage in six months! It was everything she promised: unmatched service, delightful and charming accommodations, 5 star meals and enchanting countryside. Nathan and Laura made this experience one I will never forget. In fact, it took several weeks to catch my breath once I returned to the US. I highly recommend The English Cottage Vacation.
Diane Capone
11 months ago
Staying at this quintessential English countryside cottage was pure magic. Every detail was perfect, from the cozy thatched roof charm to the incredible white-glove service that anticipated our every need. Laura and Nathan handled every bit of the planning and logistics, making it the best and most effortless way to experience the English countryside. We were so touched by the incredible surprise the they put together for my mom’s birthday. A beautifully decorated dinner and the most stunning cake, all planned simply because we’d mentioned it was her special day. Truly above and beyond in every way. Can't wait to go back!
J J
1 year ago
We truly loved each and every moment. We were taken care of from the first day to the last. Nathan and Laura are fabulous host.
Beth Mobley
1 year ago
From our pickup at the train station till our drop off at the airport, everything was handled perfectly. Could not have asked for a better experience at the English Cottage and all the tours we did and the adventures we had. Laura and Nathan took care of our every needs and wants. Amazing hosts. Absolutely amazing time. Would highly recommend it for anyone to experience it too. Five stars for everything!
Tina Vernet
1 year ago
Outstanding attention to detail. Varied meals, absolutely delicious with great drinks and canapes, an abundance of food for lunch, loved eating lots of local ingredients. Very warm, personable hosts, yet not intrusive. Spotless bedroom and bath. Lovely snug, dining and living room. Appreciated all the space for guests. Pretty gardens with games. We wanted for nothing. And I had a the iced tea I could drink!
Katrina H
1 year ago
One of the best weeks of my life. All my expectations were exceeded. The service, knowledge, care, and personal touches are something I have never experienced. Nathan and Laura know how to read guests needs and desires and by the end of your stay you feel like you are friends. Nathan and Laura know how to create a balance of vacation and experiencing local life. You have opportunity to experience as much as you are willing to or have the energy to participate in. For example, walking with Nathan to a local farm to get eggs or taking a different hiking path if you can't handle the incline of another route. Staying at Well Cottage was one of the best weeks of my life. Unbelievable experience. I can't believe I actually got to do it!
Larry P
1 year ago
We’ve just returned from a week at English Cottage Vacation, and I can honestly say it was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. Imagine the luxury and service of a high-end cruise, but instead of being at sea, you’re in a beautiful thatched-roof cottage surrounded by the English countryside. That’s exactly what Well Cottage feels like—cozy, comfortable, and absolutely first-class.
The biggest surprise for me was the food. I expected good, homey meals, but what we got was restaurant-quality cuisine every single night—and we got to enjoy it in our comfy clothes! Laura is a professional chef, and her talent shows in every dish. From our elegant anniversary dinner (filet mignon, scallops, fancy cake and all!) to the cozy canapés by the fire, every bite was memorable. Even the picnic lunches were next-level. These weren’t sandwiches on a park bench. We had linen tablecloths, real china, and gourmet food—even in the back of the van during a rainy day!
Nathan, our host and guide, has an amazing knack for avoiding the crowds. We visited popular destinations like Corfe Castle, Durdle Door, and the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum, yet it never felt hectic or rushed. Every day’s itinerary was thoughtfully planned, balancing big sights with quiet corners. A highlight for me was the Castletown D-Day Centre—an interactive, hands-on WWII museum where I got to sit in a jeep, hold a rifle (heavy), and even operate an anti-aircraft gun. It was both moving and fun.
Back at the cottage, the evenings were a true treat—cocktails in the garden, sitting by the fireplace with a dram of whisky, and great conversation. Laura and Nathan made everything feel so personal. From surprising us with a beautifully decorated dining room for our anniversary to sharing stories from their garden and kitchen, they went above and beyond to make us feel at home.
If you're looking for a luxurious, personalized, and utterly unique English countryside experience—without needing to dress up or drive yourself around—this is it. We felt pampered, relaxed, and completely taken care of. Already dreaming of our next visit!
Steve Buckley
1 year ago
From the time we stepped into the arrivals hall at Heathrow until we left, every detail of our visit to Well Cottage was handled perfectly. The accommodations were excellent. The food was well beyond expectations. As we told friends, all we had to do was show up when suggested, and everything else was taken care of. As well as the set itinerary Nathan and Laura had surprises for us nearly every day of our stay. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.
Deborah Goss
2 years ago
Nathan and Laura have created a luxurious English cottage complete with beautiful gardens amazing food and drink comfortable rooms and well planned excursions. The pace of each day was perfect, leaving the cottage after a scrumptious breakfast to enjoy all the countryside has to offer, ruins castles small villages and a picnic lunch. We would return to a wonderful cocktail hour and then a gourmet three course dinner. The area was peaceful and many times we would take a walk before dinner to work off all that delicious food. Our hosts spoiled us completely, it was hard to leave.
natalie green
2 years ago
Our week with English Cottage Vacations was a truly delightful experience.
Hosts Nathan and Laura have curated an experience that allows guests to immerse in the English countryside, while relieving guests of the burdens of decision-making that travel often entails.
Each day of the stay was planned to give guests a glimpse into the history, culture and picturesque beauty of the Dorset region. Nathan is the tour guide, chauffeur, and picnic host. On the daily excursions, we visited two to three different gems of the region, and at each location, we had plenty of time to explore and engage.
Chef Laura prepared scrumptious breakfasts to start the day, and packed personalized lunches for our afternoon picnics. After each exciting day out and about, Laura welcomed us back to the cottage with snacks and drinks, and we took time to enjoy the cottage’s garden and snug to relax and reminisce on the day’s adventure.
In the evening, dinner began with a visually stunning tablescape, matching the vibe of the menu to come. Chef Laura tailored her menus to incorporate traditional English fare with more modern dishes, and she accommodated each diner’s dietary needs and wants.
Each aspect of the trip and the cottage itself has been crafted with the guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind. The van is spacious and rides smoothly. The common spaces in the cottage (snug, garden room, gardens, etc.) are cozy and plush, inviting guests to sit a while. Our bedroom (the beehive room) was spacious, inviting and comfortable. But what made our time at Well Cottage truly exceptional was Nathan and Laura’s hospitable nature, their ability to anticipate guests needs and interests, and their sense of pride in sharing their very special part of the world with others.
English Cottage Vacations, notably Nathan and Laura’s approach to hospitality, provided a travel experience unlike any other.
Carla
2 years ago
We visited Well Cottage in June with our family and it was easily one of the best vacations we have ever had. From the moment Nathan picked us up in the luxury vehicle, to the moment he dropped us off at Heathrow airport, we were completely spoiled. Nathan and Laura are outstanding hosts! They take so much time and effort to get to know their guests, and everything is done for you. Laura is an incredible cook, and every day that we had a picnic lunch, we were excited to unveil the little delectable treasures she had packed for us that day. The cottage is absolutely lovely, so quaint yet modern and every evening, we enjoyed experiencing the stunning garden and walking through the lovely country side. I cannot say enough good things about English Cottage Vacations, and I look forward to going back.
John Hoppers
2 years ago
Ken Fleming
2 years ago
The last week of May 2024 was our second stay with Nathan and Laura at Well Cottage. While the weather was a little nicer when we visited last year, everything else about our visit was up to our hosts' usual high standards. Laura's meals were superb, and Nathan helled us develop an itinery different from but just as appealing as last year's. If you like good food, attractive surroundings, English history, and luxury, try Well Cottage. You won't be disappointed.
Nancy Gilbertson
2 years ago
Do you want to be pampered and taken care like you are family? Do you want to relax and feel at home? This is the place to be. We ate delicious home cooked Michelin-worthy foods; were chauffeured to all the places we wanted to visit; AND we never had to pack and unpack every night OR stay in some impersonal hotel. It was a wonderful experience (our second time!).
Elizabeth Deterding
3 years ago
This experience was by far the most all inclusive vacation I have ever experienced. From the moment I was arrived at LHR and transported to the charming cottage I was treated like royalty! Nathan and Laura are hosts extraordinaire. Everything and i mean literally everything was included with the exception of gifts I took home. This included, meals at the cottage and outside, alcohol, transportation, and tickets to venues. In addition they provided local cell phones so I kept my cell phone on airplane mode using WhatsApp when I had internet service (which they have in the van and the cottage). This is the first time I have been out of the country and never incurred international roaming fees!
I was the inaugural visitor for their Winter Holiday stay. I am so happy I had the chance to experience this! With Laura as the chef every meal was a culinary delight. She and Nathan helped celebrate my December birthday in style along with a proper British Christmas Lunch. It was the first time I had ever experienced Christmas Crackers! They were so much fun I ordered some for my grandchildren for Christmas dinner ( you cannot transport these home on the plane. They have to be ordered stateside). A special treat was the "spa day" where I had a chance to relax and be pampered (all apart of the AIF).
I loved this stay so much I have already planned a ladies trip for 2025. I can't wait to share my experience with my friends!
Stephanie Black
3 years ago
Hands down, the best vacation we’ve ever had. Nathan and Laura of English Cottage Vacation go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and cater to your every need. We had a group ranging from 8yrs old to folks in their 70’s. Somehow they structured our days to keep my two kids entertained, well fed and educated in a fun way every day. But the adults didn’t feel like they were on a kids trip either.
Laura’s skills in the kitchen are as good, if not better, than any award winning restaurant in major cities. We had a few special requests including a Beef Wellington night and my daughter’s 11th birthday party and she knocked them both of the park!
Nathan is your tour guide extraordinaire! We let him plan our entire stay and there wouldn’t be one thing we would change. As I said before he kept both the adults and kids entertained each day.
Your accommodations will be welcoming, charming, comfortable and clean. We had the largest group they could accommodate and everyone had their own private space to relax and unwind each evening. The grounds are beautifully kept and we loved spending most dinners on their patio soaking in the fresh air and scent of their beautiful garden.
We never repeat vacations as we always feel there’s more to see and experience, but I can say with confidence we will be back to spend more time with Nathan and Laura! Thank you two for such an amazingly unforgettable family vacation. ????
Carrie Herndon
3 years ago
While we had visited England before, this was our first visit to Dorset. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience staying at Well Cottage. No detail was overlooked. The cottage is cozy but spacious, and the garden is beautiful and perfect for lounging or birdwatching. Laura is an amazing chef. She was able to create delicious meals with our differing tastes and my dietary restrictions. We did a bespoke package and Nathan organized an itinerary for us that incorporated our planned requests as well as seamlessly incorporating a couple of “oh while we’re here can we” requests. Nathan and Laura are the perfect hosts and are great company. They made sure our vacation was truly memorable.
