Last minute holidays you can still book for the early May bank holiday

The first May bank holiday is looming, and with the possibility of international holidays still a glimmer in Grant Shapps' eye, that means those hoping for a getaway will have to look for it close to home.

For those who have booked their domestic bank holiday trips months in advance, there’s no problem (unless you count the threat of apparent holiday ‘gazumping’). But what of those who have put off making plans? Thankfully, there are still options. Previously locked down Britons are flocking to campsites and self-catered accommodation now that domestic holidays have become possible in England, but not everything is booked up just yet.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best last-minute holiday options across England that still have space for travellers over May 1 to 3.

1. Campervan Hire Co, Somerset

This company rents out beautiful VW campervans from Somerset, and can be found on the M5, en route to Devon and Cornwall. They have one campervan left for the May bank holiday weekend: a T5 manual. Ideal for anyone hoping to do some last minute camping around the South West, or even into Wales.

Prices start from £95 per night. thecampervanhirecompany.godaddysites.com

2. Cotswolds Hideaways, Gloucestershire

You’d think the Cotswolds would be fully booked up by this stage, given the area’s popularity. Those keen on some charming chocolate box villages are in luck however, as Cotswolds Hideaways have limited availability. Their Tally Ho Cottage, for instance, is a short drive from Bourton-on-the-Water and is available for four-night stays.

Tally Ho Cottage costs £1,262 for four nights over the May bank holiday. cotswoldshideaways.co.uk

3. Home Farm, Cornwall

The Cornish town of Porthleven is a great base to explore the rest of the county – one of England’s most favoured holiday retreats. Home Farm, a luxury home stay in the town, is dog-friendly and comes with a hot tub, Aga, wood-burning fires and huge kitchen and garden. It also sleeps 10 across five bedrooms, should you need plenty of space or have a large family.

Entire property rental costs £2,073 for the May bank holiday weekend. boutique-retreats.co.uk

4. Le Boat, River Thames

Self-catered accommodation is now allowed to reopen – and this includes boat rentals. Take to the waters with Le Boat, a provider of inland water boating holidays. Their fleet of large self-drive cruisers is great for larger families or households to bubble in. There’s still availability on the company’s self-drive Benson Return river cruise, which takes in the western section of the River Thames. Moorings are easy to find, and no previous experience is necessary.

Three-night self-catered cruise on the River Thames over the early May Bank Holiday priced from £1,229 per boat / £307 pp. leboat.co.uk

5. Combermere Abbey, Cheshire

This beautiful estate in Cheshire was founded by Hugh de Malbank, Lord of Nantwich in the 12th century, as a Cistercian monastery. Now a has a number of self-catered cottages with availability from April 30 to May 3. The biggest is the Malbanc, which sleeps eight, and there are two smaller cottages that sleep four. Dogs and children are welcome.

Prices start from £445 for two nights. combermereabbey.co.uk

6. Eastbury Cottage, Dorset

This stone period property was fully refurbished just last year, and is situated in Sherborne, a supremely pretty market town and the ‘ancient capital’ of Dorset. It has three bedrooms, all ensuite, and is on the grounds of the The Eastbury Hotel and Spa. The cottage is dog friendly, has a large Inglenook wood burning fireplace, and a south facing walled garden.

Rental is £625 per night or £4,375 for seven nights for two people; or £850 per night or£5,950 per week for four people. theeastburyhotel.co.uk

7. Lulworth Cove House, Dorset

This thatched cottage sits in a corner of Dorset made famous by Enid Blyton’s children’s books, and looks out onto acres of sumptuous countryside. Lulworth Cove House, sleeping up to 20, is located in the quaint village of West Lulworth and has Lulworth Cove and the iconic Durdle Door on its doorstep. The property has ten ensuite double bedrooms, so plenty of space to stretch out, and features a bar, underfloor heating, cinema room, games room, and heated indoor pool complex.

One week’s self-catering rental over the May bank holiday from £9,995. thewowhousecompany.co.uk

8. Rockliffe Hall, Durham

This Victorian mansion has been turned into a five-star luxury hotel, and gives great access to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. There are also nearly 400 acres to explore of the wider estate, all crisscrossed with walking paths, many with stellar views across the River Tees. Though the hotel won’t be open until May 17, the property opened up one and two bedroom self-catered holiday homes on April 12. On-site bikes and tennis courts are also available, as are artisanal breakfast hampers.

From £290 per night. rockliffehall.com

9. Drifters Waterways, Bath

Drifters canal boat hire has a base at Hilperton Marina, which overlooks the Kennet and Avon Canal. Boaters departing from here can travel to Bath and back, and the route travels a total of 25 miles, passing through six locks across 13 hours. Rather than doing the whole trip in one day, it’s much better to moor overnight – Sydney Gardens, a short walk from Bath City Centre, is an ideal place.

‘Ivory Gull’, a 66ft narrowboat for up to six people is currently available from April 30 to May 3 for £977. drifters.co.uk

10. The Fir Hill Estate, Cornwall

This glamping site in Cornwall has brought forward its re-opening date to 30 April, giving some availability for the early May bank holiday. The site has views of Porth Reservoir, is just three miles from the beaches of Newquay, and has 12 yurts kitted out with beds and log burners. For now just eight yurts will be made available, each being allocated its own private washroom facility. Each yurt also has its own firepit, BBQ and kitchen area with gas stove, cool box, and running water.

Yurts cost from £110 per night, with a minimum three-night stay. thefirhill.co.uk

11. Kilnwood, Somerset

This beautifully done countryside retreat is situated in the Mendip Hills and has views of Glastonbury Tor. The property consists of former farm buildings that have been restored into a luxury family home – there’s an outdoor heated pool, firepit and rolltop bathtubs. It’s also incredibly roomy, sleeping up to 12 people across six bedrooms. Smaller groups can be accommodated, in light of the ongoing Covid situation.

A four-night stay over the May bank holiday costs £3,250 for 12 people, or £2,950 for eight people. 01637 881183; kilnwood.uniquehomestays.com

12. The Lodge at Brantwood, Cumbria

This lodge house is located on the Brantwood Estate, which was once home to writer and artist John Ruskin. It sleeps up to nine people across five bedrooms, and has incredible views across Coniston Water, one of the Lake District’s most popular sights. Guests have access to the whole of the estate, which comprises 250 acres, and kayaks, canoes and small sailing dinghies are also available to launch from the nearby waters.

Rental for three nights across the May bank holiday costs £510 for four people, £552 for six people, and £605 for nine people. oneoffplaces.co.uk

13. Little Glemham, Suffolk

Glemham Hall, a historic stately home in Suffolk, has recently made its gatehouse available for weekend breaks and holidays – the first time people have been allowed to stay in the past 200 years. The cottage sleeps four across two bedrooms, and is believed to have been built in the mid-1800s. It’s also close to the seaside market towns of Woodbridge, Framlingham, Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Full rental starts from £250 per night. airbnb.com/h/glemhamlodge

14. Haven Cottage, Norfolk

This sweet cottage is a good pick for couples and small families who just want a quiet retreat. It’s set in the riverside village of Coltishall, and is great for a weekend of walking, kayaking and wildlife spotting. The beaches of Norfolk are also an easy distance away.

Rental for three nights over the early May bank holiday costs £795. independentcottages.co.uk

15. Colby Cottage, Devon

This South Devon cottage is mere minutes away from Salcombe, Bigbury-on-Sea and Soar Mill Cove – and only an hour from Dartmoor. There are two bedrooms, sleeping four people, as well as a wood burning stove and expansive gardens.

Rental price £795 for a minimum three-night stay.​ westcharletongrange.com

16. Wilde Lodge, Shropshire

This Shropshire Lodge only has availability this coming bank holiday due to a last-minute book alteration. The four bedroom property is just a short drive from the market town of Ludlow, and has private access to a wild swimming site. A personal trainer and yoga instructor are also available to hire, as is a separate cinema space in a converted barn. Inside, there are king-size beds and a wood-burning fire.

Rental costs from £600 per night. wildelodge.com

17. Pennsylvania Cottage at The Pheasant Inn, Cheshire

The first self-catered property from the Nelson Hotel group, Pennsylvania Cottage is a comfortable property situated on Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail, just 30 minutes from the historic city of Chester. There are three bedrooms, sleeping six guests, and it’s possible to dine alfresco on the outdoor patio. The cottage is also dog-friendly.

Rental price available upon request. thepheasantinn.co.uk

18. Windley, Northumberland

This is a modern, stylishly done cottage in coastal Bamburgh village – the home of striking Bamburgh Castle. The property has views of the castle, a secret garden, and has two-bedrooms. It’s also a good choice should you be keen to explore Lindisfarne, as the Holy Island is very close by. Dogs and children are welcome.

A three night stay over the bank holiday weekend costs £802.50. crabtreeandcrabtree.com

19. Welsh Glamping, Wales

Situated in Powys, Welsh Glamping still has three log cabins available for the bank holiday – and since cross-border travel between Wales and England is now permitted it's a viable option for England-based guests. The site opened mid-2020 and gives campers access to 185 acres of wild farmland and waterfalls, making for a beautiful rural weekend. Cabins have wood burning fires, ovens, and a private deck with fire pit, and can sleep two adults and two children. A 10 per cent discount on stays between now and July 12 is currently being offered – use the code ‘WelshGlamping10’.

A four night stay in a log cabin costs £400. welshglamping.com

20. Jacobite Express Short Break, Scotland

McKinlay Kidd is currently running a ‘First Class Jacobite Express Short Break’, which includes two nights’ accommodation in the Highland village of Spean Bridge on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, followed by a first-class day return trip on the sensational Jacobite Express steam train. The break is still available to start on May 1, 2 or 3.

Breaks starting Sunday -Thursday cost £329 per person, while breaks starting on Fridays or Saturdays cost £365 per person. mckinlaykidd.com