‘Stop looking, stop browsing, you’ve found the right accommodation!’

Looking for a getaway this autumn without having to fork out to jet off overseas? A national awards ceremony has just named the best holiday cottage in the South West of England.

Booking a holiday abroad can be a hassle, not to mention expensive, and there’s always stress that comes with deciding what and how much to pack. But with a staycation, you can simply throw everything into the car and arrive at your destination in just a few hours, ready for a relaxing break.

That’s why one of the UK’s leading holiday rental companies, Sykes Cottages, holds the Sykes Gems Awards each year, to celebrate all the property owners who strive to provide excellent holiday experiences for guests at their homes around the UK.

The awards include national categories such as Best Luxury Property, Best Quirky Property, Best for Glamping and Best for Walking, as well as recognising the cream of the crop in each region of the UK.

And after weeks of deliberation, a panel of property experts have now named the winners in each category of the Sykes Gems Awards – with Devon winning out over Cornwall in the South West.

Best south-west holiday cottage: Butterwell Barn in Dartmouth, Devon

This pet-friendly, four-bedroom property has been named the Gold winner for the south-west at the awards.

The 19th century Victorian barn sleeps up to eight guests, and is situated just a 10-minute drive from the waterfront in Dartmouth, as well as the stunning, 15-mile stretch of coastland at Start Bay in south Devon.

An outdoor patio area comes furnished with a garden picnic table and bench seating, as well as four sun loungers and four deck chairs. There is even a large fire pit than can be used as a charcoal barbecue or a pizza oven.

This fabulous property is perfect for extended family parties, two families holidaying together, or up to four couples looking for a special break in delightful surroundings. It also includes parking for up to four vehicles, as well as two EV chargers.

With a row of boutique shops and restaurants just a stone’s throw away, and a close proximity to National Trust sites including Greenway and Coleton Fishacre, this is an ideally situated coastal cottage that will guarantee your holiday is ‘perfect in every way’.

You can book now to stay at Butterwell Barn from October 5, costing £1,345 for four nights, or £1,796 for seven nights. That’s £42 per person per night for four nights, or as little as £32 per person per night for seven nights, based on a group of eight guests. Book it here.

Best South West holiday cottage: the runners-up

Devon may have taken the top spot, but two properties in Cornwall were runners-up in the South West region.

Silvermine House in Charlestown was awarded the Silver prize, celebrating another ‘magnificent’ barn conversion which sleeps up to 12 guests in six bedrooms. The property boasts a lawned front garden with a lower patio area complete with furniture and hot tub, and an external games room and gym with a pool table, juke box, and a multi-gym.

Silvermine House also has off-road parking for ‘several’ vehicles, with an electric charging point available, and is located just 1.5 miles from the nearest shop and pub. The next availability at this property is from October 4, costing £2,271 for 7 nights – that’s just £27 per person per night, based on 12 guests.

And the third place in the South West went to See Two Seas in Cape Cornwall, St Just. This is not the first time this property has been a winner at the Sykes Gems Awards, having been named Best Luxury Property in 2023.

The four-bedroom barn conversion sleeps up to eight guests, offering stunning sea views from its private garden and decking area. It is even pet-friendly, welcoming up to three dogs. There is off-road parking for up to five vehicles, and the nearest pub, restaurant and shop are less than a mile away.

Unsurprisingly, See Two Seas is an incredibly popular cottage, with the next availability not until December. However, you could stay here over Christmas for £3,415 for five nights, or £85 per person per night, based on eight guests. Book it here.

South West holiday cottage winners in other categories

It wasn’t just in the regional awards that Devon and Cornwall won big. Properties in Cornwall also secured the Gold prize in the Best Luxury Property and Best for Walking categories, competing with holiday homes from around the UK.

Best Luxury Property went to Salt House in St Ives, which sleeps up to 10 guests in five bedrooms. If sea views are what you’re looking for, this is the holiday home for you, with floor-to-ceiling glazed doors in the living room/dining room area offering panoramic views across St Ives Bay.

There is off-road parking for three vehicles, and EV charging available. The cottage even includes complimentary Spa Passes for two guests at a time at the nearby St Ives Harbour Hotel, complete with swimming pool, sauna, gym, treatment rooms and sun terrace.

You can book Salt House here, with a seven-night stay from November 15 costing £1,914, or just £27 per person per night, based on 10 guests.

And the best property for Walking Holidays was awarded to The Wink in Cape Cornwall, St Just. This cosy, single-storey cottage is ideal for couples, with just one king-sized en-suite bedroom, and even a hot tub for a romantic night out under the stars.

The holiday home is on the Cornish coast path, among the scenic rolling hillside of Cape Cornwall – which fans of ‘Poldark’ may recognise from the hit BBC drama series.

The Wink is pet-friendly, with off-road parking available for one car and free electric vehicle charging included. You can book it here, with a three-night stay available for £605 from October 31.

Meanwhile, over in Devon, two properties on Dartmoor won Silver and Bronze in the Best National Park category: Michaelmas Cottage in Drewsteignton, and Little Orchard in Ashburton, respectively. And the Silver prize in Best Hot Tub category also went to a Devon holiday home, Little Silver Owl in High Bickington, which sleeps two guests.