UK winter escapes from holidaycottages.co.uk

Self-catering specialist, holidaycottages.co.uk, delivers some of the best UK options for an early 2021 getaway…

There are no two ways about this: 2020 has been a year unlike any other, with coronavirus affecting everyone’s home, work and social lives in a way not seen before. As the year comes to a close, there’s never been more of a need for us to take a breather, appreciate both the great outdoors and each other, and set ourselves up for what we can cautiously hope will be a better year ahead.

Get 2021 off to a bracing start with a restorative winter break from self-catering specialist, holidaycottages.co.uk. With thousands of properties across the UK, there’s something for everyone… whether your idea of staycation perfection is active, cosy, coastal or countryside… with properties to suit singles, couples, families, friends and much-loved canine companions.

BEST FOR A COASTAL BREATHER…

SUSSEX: bang on the beachfront, a Joules-styled retreat with Instagram appeal
Winter may be cold, but its crispness can be seriously invigorating. Where better to feel optimistic about a fresh start to 2021 than by the sea? Pevensey Bay Beach Retreat (sleeps eight, plus one dog) is a fantastic holiday home, right on the beach, that cleverly blends contemporary living with seaside charm. Panoramic sea views through the bi-fold doors, coupled with colourful accessories, hand-selected from the Joules Collection, will have you posting pics and racking up likes. Within walking distance is the village of Pevensey with its striking castle, now an English Heritage site.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £94 pp (£747 total). £20 supplement for a dog. 

BEST FOR COUPLES…

NEW FOREST: total privacy on the Beaulieu Estate, save for ponies peeking over your picket fence
A romantic getaway deep in the New Forest, Old Telephone Exchange (sleeps two, plus one dog) offers open-plan studio-style accommodation. The stylish kitchen has a dining table that is perfect for enjoying a meal with spectacular lake and meadow views. Ponies graze freely in the lane and often peek over the property’s picket fence. With walking routes straight from the doorstep, this single-storey abode is an ideal base from which to explore a truly beautiful part of southern England. Located in a peaceful and secluded area of the Beaulieu Estate, the 18^th century village of Buckler’s Hard is just up the lane. A welcome hamper will be waiting for you on arrival.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £266 pp (£532 total). £20 supplement for a dog. 

BEST FOR A COUNTRYSIDE BREAK…

SHROPSHIRE: walks galore, straight from your door – and a shabby chic stable-block bar with wood-burner and darts
Tenbury Cottage (sleeps four, plus two dogs) is situated deep in rolling South Shropshire countryside, with a wealth of walks direct from the door, plus 12 acres of lush farmland to explore. The Clee Hills and Mortimer Forest are both within easy reach, too. The interior design of this open-plan property is very tasteful, with neutral and pastel colours dominating the palette. Make the most of the separate stables, which house a rather unique bar with a lovely fireplace. Simply bring your own beer, stoke up the wood-burner and test your skills at traditional darts. Dogs, physically fatigued from their rural adventures, can conk out in front of the fire, bask in its glow and dream of the next day’s excitement.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £153 pp (£609 total). £20 supplement per dog. 

BEST FOR FAMILIES…

NORTH YORKSHIRE: Alpine-style lodge with hot tub, hammock, trendy interior and Moorish attraction
Don’t let short days or dreary weather dampen your family’s vibe. Keep it colourful with a stay at The Scandinavian Lodge (sleeps eight, plus two dogs), a rustic, Scandinavian-designed wooden lodge set in beautiful grounds in North Yorkshire. Between the property’s painted exterior, its sky-blue-sparkling hot tub and the vibrancy of its interiors, seasonal dreariness doesn’t stand a chance. The open-plan living space is characterful and will delight children of all ages (as will the Smart TV with Sky). Hoodies mean hammocks aren’t just for summer: there’s one on the veranda on the first floor, and it’s a great spot to swing and take in the view. Four-legged friends have their own space in the ‘Doghouse’, and walks are wondrous across the North York Moors.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £128 pp (£1,021 total). £20 supplement per dog. 

BEST FOR DOGS… 

CORNWALL: Holiday indulgence, hot tub and beaches – for pampered pets and their humans
Many properties welcome one or two dogs but Penny Bun Cottage (sleeps five) invites three, making it an ideal holiday home for guests with more pets than people. The property is situated in a tranquil location in the heart of Polyphant, near Launceston, and within easy reach of the stunning beaches of both the north and south coasts of Cornwall. The private garden is fully enclosed, meaning a free rein for the dogs and total peace of mind for you. Plus, there is a hot tub, so relax and watch your pooches play! Inside, the sitting room has plenty of seating, Smart TV and a wood-burner. Each fresh and cosy bedroom is themed: ‘The Hive’, ‘The Pen’ and ‘The Warren’. Dog towels, poo bags and treats are provided – and, for the humans, there’s a bottle of bubbly and scones.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £91 pp (£451 total). £20 supplement per dog. 

BEST FOR GLAMPING…

DEVON: Lakeside shepherd’s hut with atypically generous dimensions, and beach and moor in easy reach
Glamping is a spectrum and Florence (sleeps two, plus one dog) sits pretty at the more spacious, more sophisticated end. It’s still blissfully off the beaten track and presents life’s simple pleasures in abundance. But, unusually, it has a king-size bed, a substantial wood-burner, guaranteed peace by being adults-only, and a generously proportioned shower room. From its idyllic lakeside setting, close to the Devon and Cornwall border, nearby attractions include the sandy beaches at Bude, Tintagel Castle, Dartmoor National Park and Bodmin Moor. While away wintry days in the glorious outdoors, and spend peaceful evenings cooking in Florence’s well-equipped kitchen, and perhaps enjoying a warming brandy by the fireside with a good book.

A three-night stay this winter costs from £185 pp (£370 total). £20 supplement for a dog. 

STILL NEED CONVINCING OF THE CHARMS OF A WINTER BREAK?
As a well as a tempting array of cosy and stylish properties, holidaycottages.co.uk offers a wealth of winter holiday inspiration on its blog that will tempt even the most ardent objector out of hibernation. Click on the links here for Top 10 Winter Walks in the UK, Five Winter Activities You Never Knew You Could Do in the UK and Top Winter Surf Spots.

BOOKING WITH CONFIDENCE
Holidaycottages.co.uk is all too aware that these are uncertain times for customers considering a 2021 trip, and offers a number of options for guests in the event that their holiday needs to be cancelled due to future tier changes and/or lockdowns. 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 this helpful FAQs section of its website.

To book your winter escape, visit holidaycottages.co.uk … and get ready to blow away those cobwebs!

Ends

Holidaycottages.co.uk has a diverse collection of over 6,000 holiday homes and has been operating for 30 years. Spanning England, Scotland and Wales, all properties have been personally inspected to meet the company’s high quality standards.

Holidaycottages.co.uk has been recognised recently for its outstanding customer service with a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. This accolade, new for 2020, 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.

Press:  For further information, photography or to discuss a review stay for a confirmed commission, please contact Mischa Mack (m.mack@travelpr.co.uk) or Karen Carpenter (k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk) at Travel PR, or call 020 8891 4440.