Have yourself a cracking self-catering Christmas and a staycation to start the New Year in style – with holidaycottages.co.uk

Too much time at home over the last 20 months? Take your loved ones somewhere fresh and new this festive season; it’s the best gift you can give them.

If ever there was a year to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve away from one’s own home, it’s this one. After an inordinate amount of time within our own four walls, becoming uncomfortably aware of every area that could do with a refresh, it’s time for a change of scene. You need not forfeit your usual customs: you can take your time-honoured decorations with you; hang your stockings by the fireplace; have a turkey and all the trimmings; steep your Christmas pudding in brandy and set fire to it; and fall asleep before the Queen’s speech starts. But why not do it all somewhere else for a fresh perspective as we bid farewell to 2021 and approach 2022.

Self-catering specialist holidaycottages.co.uk has a portfolio of thousands of properties across the UK, with something to suit everyone: singles, couples, families, friends – and, of course, their adored dogs. Here is a selection of country and coastal holiday homes which are currently still available for Christmas and New Year:

SOMERSET – snuggle up, starry-eyed, in an architect-designed stable
For a romantic Christmas or New Year, Cart Shed At Manor Farm (sleeps two) is a beautifully designed stable conversion with panoramic views over the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury Tor. Just two miles from the desirable village of Wedmore, with its excellent restaurants and appealing independent shops, this stylish bolthole has a contemporary open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner where you can cook your festive feast for two (nobody else to please –hurrah!), enjoy the comfort of the underfloor heating and curl up with a good book or watch your favourite series on the Smart TV. At bedtime, head up the steps to the stylish king-size bedroom.
A seven-night self-catering stay costs £428 pp (£855 total) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. Pic below.

NORTH WALES – 17^th century lakeside escape for walkers and dogs
Magpie Cottage (sleeps four, plus one dog) provides a picture-postcard-perfect setting for a convivial Christmas season getaway with a hound in tow. Newly restored and utterly delightful, this 17^th century thatched cottage overlooks the glistening Hanmer Mere water and the quintessential border village with its church, green, village shop, butcher and florist. Reputed to be one of the oldest dwellings in the village, it has been thoughtfully restored, with creature comforts including under-floor heating and a wood-burning stove. Standing at the traditional butler’s sink, you can be peeling the potatoes and stuffing the turkey whilst savouring the view of the lake. The property is an excellent base for exploring the Shropshire Way, Offa’s Dyke, the Cheshire Sandstone Way and Snowdonia.
A seven-night self-catering stay costs £356 pp (£1,424 total) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. £20 supplement per dog. Pic below.

DEVON – cove beaches and a cosy bunk bedroom for families
Weight N Sea (sleeps six) is a fabulous holiday home for comfort and relaxation this Christmas season. Situated in an elevated position within the charming town of Dartmouth, you are a short stroll from Dartmouth Quay and two secluded cove beaches; several larger beaches (including Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands and Broadsands) are just a short drive away. The open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner is jolly and bright, with inviting sofas and a flame-effect fireplace; the kitchen is well equipped and seats six very comfortably. Kids will love the crisp bunk bedroom (full-size single beds built in).
A seven-night self-catering stay now costs £220 pp (£1,317 total – was £1,457) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. Pic below.

WEST YORKSHIRE – a spa town to explore, and a hot tub to soak in
Coachway Cottage (sleeps eight, plus two dogs) is set in the heart of Ilkley, a striking spa town brimming with shops, restaurants and some of Yorkshire’s finest tearooms (including Bettys, where the award-winning mince pies are a must, especially after a demanding yomp through the dales or across the moors). The stylish property is decorated throughout in gentle, muted tones, creating a calm contrast to any Christmas carousing. A large oak dining table provides the ideal place for all the group to gather around and enjoy a home-cooked meal to celebrate. Those who can brave the cold for a second or two can leap into the enclosed courtyard’s hot tub.
A seven-night self-catering stay now costs £306 pp (£2,447 total – was £3,046) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. £20 supplement per dog. Pic below.

NORTHUMBERLAND – unique property with beaches and boat trips
The Fat Badger (sleeps six) – near the gorgeous village of Bamburgh, its castle and its beach – is a hugely stylish property flooded with light by magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen is ideal for Christmas or New Year’s Eve entertaining, with a large central island, a wine fridge, a coffee maker and a Smart TV to keep the cook entertained. With a week to play with, there is time to sail over to the Farne Islands on a boat trip from Seahouses to see a range of wildlife and cross the causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for its history and a taste of local mead. Berwick upon Tweed to the north and Alnwick Castle and its pretty market town to the south are also within easy reach by car.
A seven-night self-catering stay costs £390 pp (£2,340 total) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. Pic below.

ISLE OF WIGHT – work and play on an island break amid countryside
Chillerton Farm Barn (sleeps six) is a spectacular Grade II listed thatched barn conversion in the middle of the island – somewhere special to make a memorable Christmas or New Year’s Eve. The fantastic open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, enhanced by vaulted ceilings, boasts wonderful views over Chillerton Down. There is a study for any member of the party who might need to work and, for those who don’t, there is a games snug with games consoles and a multi-function gaming table that can be used for pool, air hockey or table football. The property is located within a rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are many enjoyable walks (including a rewarding two-mile mission, to the pub at Shorwell!).
A seven-night self-catering stay costs £264 pp (£1,580 total) arriving Wednesday 22 or 29 December. Pic below.

BOOKING WITH CONFIDENCE
holidaycottages.co.uk offers a number of options for guests in the event that their holiday needs to be cancelled due to coronavirus or changing travel restrictions. Detailed information about the company’s coronavirus policies, which adhere strictly to Government guidelines and have been developed to be fair both to its guests and to its property owners, can be found in the helpful FAQs section of its website.

Ends

Press:  For further information, photography or to discuss a review stay for a confirmed commission, please contact Mischa Mack (m.mack@travelpr.co.uk; tel: 07875 389 017) or Karen Carpenter (k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk; tel: 07879 458 482) at Travel PR.

Notes to Editors:

holidaycottages.co.uk has a diverse collection of over 8,000 holiday homes and has been operating for more than 30 years. Spanning England, Scotland and Wales, all its properties have been personally inspected to meet the company’s high-quality standards.

holidaycottages.co.uk has been recognised for its outstanding customer service with a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an accolade that honours companies which have upheld a very high standard in terms of customer experience consistently for over three years.

holidaycottages.co.uk is part of the Travel Chapter, one of the UK’s leading holiday letting agencies.