Whether it’s just the two of you, or you have a branching family tree, the joy of Christmas is being able spend proper quality time with loved ones – preferably around an open fire with a mug of something mulled.
But for many, the idea of hosting at home somewhat detracts from the magic of the festive period, filling it instead with visions of endless slaving over the stove and fixing beds for guests.
So to keep your festive cheer alive, why not decamp to one of these cosy cottages this Christmas instead?
We’ve rounded up a collection of the best properties available over the period, so you can make more of a break. Ranging from one-bedroom getaways to expansive countryside homes, there’s something for every type of family affair.
Cosy in Cornwall
Set high above Port Isaac’s harbour, The Port Hole is a stylish three-bedroom cottage offering unbeatable views over the clifftops of one of Cornwall’s most-loved seaside villages.
The Port Hole’s views make it a perfect spot for a winter getaway
With Port Isaac close by, guests can brave wintry walks along the South West Coast Path before ambling back through narrow streets lined with fishermen’s cottages and stopping off for a tipple in one of the local hostelries. For the big day itself, the cottage is replete with open-plan social spaces, as well as a brand-new kitchen well-equipped to prepare favourite festive foods.
Book it: Spend seven nights here from December 20 from £1,480, based on six people sharing, which works out at £35pp per night (latitude50.co.uk).
A very Cotswolds Christmas
Located in chocolate-box Castle Combe – often described as England’s prettiest village – the self-catering cottages at boutique hotel The Manor House are ideal for a relaxing winter retreat. Gather round wood-burning fires on chilly evenings in the privacy of your own little cottage home, or hunker down at award-winning gastro pub the Castle Inn for a sumptuous Christmas meal when the day arrives.
Exposed brick and open fires add to the charm of the Manor House
Book it: Available from £250 a night, sleeping four adults or two adults and three children (exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house).
Hunker down in Norfolk
A former store, this quirky, three-bedroom cottage, named The Old Village Shop, in the heart of Winterton-on-Sea, is just a ten-minute walk from some of Norfolk’s best seal-spotting beaches.
The converted shop is a great base from which to explore Norfolk’s beaches and countryside
The shop has been developed into a cosy bolthole
For outdoorsy types, the Winterton Dunes and Norfolk Broads are on the doorstep, with 300-year-old local Fishermans Return serving pub classics such as beer-battered fish and honey-roasted ham throughout the festive season.
Book it: A seven-night stay for six – and up to three dogs – is available from £1,303, arriving on December 20 (wintertoncottages.co.uk).
A Welsh wonderland
Dating back to 1352, Glebe House is a Grade II-listed rectory in Nolton Haven, Pembrokeshire, sleeping up to 14 – ideal for a big family get-together.
Set within acres of landscaped grounds, the property features wooden floors, ornate fireplaces and A-frame beams, plus there is a large kitchen for preparing festive feasts.
Sleeping up to 14, Glebe House is ideal for large family gatherings
Book it: Arriving on December 20 or 27, a seven-night stay is available from £3,432, based on 14 sharing (coastalcottages.co.uk).
Peak festivity
Less than a mile from Pilsley and Bakewell, Dunsa Cottage is a snug retreat for couples, with cots on hand for any additional little ones. There’s plenty of access to footpaths for those wanting to explore the surrounding Peak District, as well as a comfy living room for hunkering down on chillier evenings.
Dunsa Cottage has immediate access to the footpaths of the Peak District national park
Book it: A seven-night stay from December 22 costs from £896 (chatsworthescapes.co.uk).
Mountain retreat
Without a neighbour in sight, two-bedroom cottage Tincture offers a lovely escape in the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales. Built from 17th century stone foundations, this fairytale-esque home is entirely off-grid, using solar panels and fresh spring water – but provides comfort and luxury within.
Tincture is perfect if you really want to get away from the crowds at Christmas
Book it: A four-night stay is available from £2,550, sleeping four (uniquehomestays.com).
Highlands hideaway
Part of the UK’s most northerly five-star hotel, The Torridon, one-bedroom Chestnut Cottage offers a luxury escape for couples in the heart of the Highlands. The property features an outdoor bathtub to stargaze beneath Scotland’s deep and clearest skies and a log burner inside to warm the winter nights.
Book it: Prices start from £635, sleeping two (thetorridon.com).
Snuggle down in Sussex
On the edge of Cowbeech, East Sussex, Granary is a three-bedroom cottage that sits on a cattle breeding farm, enjoying panoramic views provided by a wide, south-facing patio.
Onsite catering and spacious rooms make The Granary a highly relaxing option
If you don’t fancy slaving over the stove on the big day, there’s catering available onsite, as well as fine dining and simpler village pubs within a few miles. It’s also a short drive away from the beach for Christmas walks.
Book it: Spend four nights here from £1,071, based on six sharing (premiercottages.co.uk).
Herefordshire for couples
For couples looking to escape this Christmas, one-bedroom Welsh Cottage in Ledbury, Herefordshire, offers a peaceful retreat from the usual noise of a bigger family gathering. As well as a well-equipped kitchen, there’s an open-plan living room, a twin set of squishy armchairs and a gas-fired ‘wood-burner’ stove to keep toes toasty.
Welsh Cottage may be compact, but offers couples a peaceful festive retreat
Book it: Available for three nights from £390 between December 23 and 26 (whitehousecottages.co.uk).
Quirky in Suffolk
Built into the walls of the estate’s original flower and vegetable garden, Garden Cottage on Sibton Estate is a beautifully restored quirky cottage – and a great pick for a festive family do.
There are three double bedrooms, as well as a six-person dormitory perfect for a collection of cousins bunking up. The living room has a large open fireplace to gather round with presents, and there are heaps of board games.
Garden Cottage on Sibton Estate is a great pick for a family festive do
Book it: Available from £8,250 for five nights from December 22, sleeping 12 (wildernessreserve.com).
Wintry coastal walks
Cornwall is a good choice in the winter because loads of holiday lets usually booked in the summer need to be filled in the off-season. Resoon is a house with four large bedrooms and a comfortable sitting room close to Roskilly beach and Mousehole harbour. There’s plenty of room for all to relax and lots of nearby wintry coastal walks.
Resoon has four large bedrooms and is close to Roskilly beach and picturesque Mousehole
Book it: Available for up to eight over Christmas week for £2,275 (aspects-holidays.co.uk).
Delightful in Newquay
Yet another Cornwall find, Number 71 is a Victorian townhouse atop Newquay’s working harbour offering fantastic views of the Atlantic – an unforgettable sight to wake up to on Christmas morning. The property sleeps 12, and there’s a well-equipped kitchen and spacious dining room for festive feasting.
Number 71 offers spectacular views of the Atlantic above Newquay’s harbour
Book it: Available from £2,797 for Christmas week for up to 12 (aspects-holidays.co.uk).
Nestled in Northumberland
Tucked on the edge of historic village Bamburgh, looking over Budle Bay, The Watchtower is a cottage ideally located for spotting seals and birds. For those wanting to brave the great outdoors, Northumberland National Park is just 30 minutes away, and Bamburgh Castle just a five-minute drive. Dogs are also welcome.
The Watchtower overlooks Budle Bay in Bamburgh on the spectacular Northumberland coast
Book it: Available between December 21 and 28 from £201 a night (plumguide.com).
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