Types of Self-Catering: Cottages, Glamping, and More for Your Perfect Stay

When you think of self-catering, a stay where you cook your own meals and control your schedule, often in a private home or cottage. Also known as self-contained accommodation, it’s the quiet alternative to hotels—no room service, no fixed meal times, just you and the place you’ve chosen to call home for a few days. In Croyde, this isn’t just a trend. It’s the heartbeat of seaside getaways. Whether you’re bringing the kids, planning a quiet weekend with your partner, or flying solo to reset, the right self-catering setup makes all the difference.

Not all self-catering is the same. There’s the classic cottage, a small, often stone or weatherboard home with character, usually in a rural or coastal setting. Also known as country cottage, it’s the kind of place where the windows are a little crooked, the kitchen has a cast-iron stove, and the garden leads straight to the dunes. Then there’s glamping cottage, a blend of camping comfort and luxury amenities, often with heated floors, proper beds, and even hot tubs. Also known as luxury camping, it’s for people who love the outdoors but draw the line at sleeping on the ground. And if you’re looking for peace without kids, you’ll find adult only accommodation, properties that welcome only guests 18 or older, offering quieter pools, later check-outs, and no early morning noise. Also known as adults only cottages, these are designed for relaxation, not chaos. Family-friendly options? They exist too—think kitchens big enough for a crowd, bunk beds, and toys tucked in the cupboard.

What ties them all together? Control. You pick the breakfast. You decide when to leave the house. You choose whether to eat on the beach or in pajamas on the sofa. That’s the real value of self-catering. It’s not about saving money—it’s about saving your rhythm. You don’t have to follow a hotel’s schedule. You don’t have to pay extra for a coffee you could’ve made yourself. You don’t have to explain to a waiter why your toddler won’t eat fish fingers.

And in Croyde, the options are shaped by the coast. The wind blows salt into the woodwork. The tide dictates when you walk the beach. The cottages face west so you can watch the sun drop into the sea. Glamping pods sit on the edge of the dunes. Adult-only places are tucked away from the main road. Each type of stay matches a different kind of traveler—and each one is waiting for you to show up.

Below, you’ll find real guides that break down what each type actually means—what to look for, what to avoid, and which one fits your next trip best. No fluff. Just the facts from people who’ve stayed in them all.