Cracking cottages to gather the clan for Christmas
Gather your clan and celebrate in rural style for as little as £15 a night each, says Eve McGowan
THERE is nothing more magical than a cosy family Christmas, with an open fire, idyllic views and scenic walks on your doorstep. Escaping to a countryside bolthole is surprisingly affordable when the cost is divided between family or friends. The price per person, per night for this festive selection of Christmas crackers starts from just £15 – leaving enough money to lavish on gifts, games and an even bigger turkey…
1. MILL HOUSE, MONZIE, CRIEFF
Where: Perthshire, about a 60-minute drive from Glasgow.
Cosy credentials: The newly converted Mill House is set on the 4,000-acre Monzie Estate, with winter walks aplenty. The festive package includes the cottage being decorated, wood for the fire, home-baked treats and a tour of Monzie Castle. Five elegant bedrooms – think velvet throws and warm tones – each come complete with a flatscreen TV and en suite bathroom.
Sleeps: Ten in five bedrooms.
Price: £3,500 for seven nights, or £50pp a night.
monzieestate.com
2. THE MILL MEADOW, SOMERSET
Where: Kingston St Mary, a pretty village near Taunton, at the foot of the Quantock Hills.
Cosy credentials: Ten super-luxe eco-friendly lodges and cottages, including the five-bedroom Robins Lodge, sit on a peaceful rural site, a former plant nursery. Hire a hot tub for the week for an additional £95.
Sleeps: Ten in five bedrooms.
Price: £1,066 for seven nights, or £15pp a night.
millmeadow.co.uk
3. MOSCAR LODGE, DERBYSHIRE
Where: Near the village of Bamford in the Peak District National Park.
Cosy credentials: The Victorian Moscar Lodge has six bedrooms in the main house and a further four in the adjoining annexe, all set within 6,000 acres of moorland. Besides the prerequisite living room with open fire and a woodburning stove, there’s an atmospheric cellar with a bar, snooker room, cinema room for showing Christmas classics, a sauna, tennis court and outdoor heated swimming pool (if you dare) for working off those festive calories.
Sleeps: 20 in ten bedrooms.
Price: £9,500 for seven nights, or £68pp a night.
sykescottages.co.uk
4. TREVOSE VIEW, NORTH CORNWALL
Where: Between Widemouth Bay and Bude.
Cosy credentials: A stunning modern house set on one level has jaw-dropping sea views from the decked terrace. Alternatively, snuggle up by the wood-burner and take it all in through the floorto-ceiling windows in the striking open-plan living space. The coastal path, just across the road, is perfect for a Boxing Day walk.
Sleeps: Ten in five bedrooms.
Price: £2,854 for seven nights, or £41pp a night.
helpfulholidays.co.uk
5. THE OAKS, CUMBRIA
Where: Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.
Cosy credentials: Set among beautiful woodlands on High Lindeth Fell, the house has recently been renovated and includes a cosy living room, from where you can admire the spectacular views. There is a lovely modern kitchen, a games room and two hot tubs, plus period features including a grand staircase and mullion windows.
Sleeps: 25 in 12 bedrooms.
Price: £7,950 for seven nights, or £45pp a night.
sykescottages.co.uk
6. TIMBERS, DEVON
Where: Newton Ferrers. Cosy credentials: Timbers has idyllic views over the River Yealm estuary and a pretty living room with open fire. There is also a wellequipped kitchen for preparing Christmas lunch, and if cabin fever strikes, there are two good pubs nearby.
Sleeps: Eight in four bedrooms.
Price: £2,251 for seven nights, or £40pp a night.
helpfulholidays.co.uk
7. THE PARSONAGE, WORCESTERSHIRE
Where: Ombersley, seven miles from Worcester.
Cosy credentials: With its sweeping driveway and striking topiary, could there be a prettier place to spend Christmas? The wisteriaclad parsonage is surrounded by 12 acres of landscaped gardens that include a fruit orchard, ponds and arboretum. The six luxurious bedrooms offer views of the Malverns.
Sleeps: 12 in six bedrooms.
Price: £7,450 for seven nights, or £89pp a night.
uniquehomestays.com
8. BROWNBER HALL, YORKSHIRE DALES
Where: Newbiggin-on-Lune, near Kirkby Stephen.
Cosy credentials: This boutique hotel is available for private hire over Christmas. It has recently undergone a makeover but still includes a wealth of period features, including fireplaces with ceramic tiles and stained-glass windows. Guests can expect a hamper including home-made mince pies and a bottle of fizz. Sleeps: 15 in eight bedrooms. Price: £5,950 for seven nights, or £57pp a night. brownberhall.co.uk
9. DRAKESTONE HOUSE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Where: Stinchcombe. Cosy credentials: The Arts and Crafts-style Drakestone House is set on a ten-acre estate with a tennis court. The owners really go to town at Christmas, providing no fewer than four trees, table decorations in the dining room and twinkling lights outside. Sleeps: 16 in eight bedrooms. Price: £6,500 for seven nights, or £58pp a night. drakestonehouse.co.uk
10. CLARENCE HOUSE, SUFFOLK
Where: Sibton.
Cosy credentials: Not to be confused with the London residence of Prince Charles, this grand manor house overlooks a large lake. It ticks every box, with open fires, antique furniture, a plethora of reception rooms, an impressive dining hall, a wine cellar and 14 bedrooms, most of which have roll-top baths in their en suites. There’s also a cinema room, a games room, gym and tennis court.
Sleeps: 27 in 14 bedrooms. Price: £22,022 for seven nights, or £116pp a night. thewowhousecompany.co.uk
11. FOREST DROVE COTTAGE, HAMPSHIRE
Where: Hangersley, in the New Forest National Park. Cosy credentials: Hunker down in this chocolate-box thatched cottage full of old-world charm. It comes with six bedrooms and four bathrooms, an airy modern kitchen/diner extension and a charming sitting room with beams, lattice windows and inglenook fireplace. There are two pubs and a shop close by. Sleeps: 11 in six bedrooms. Price: £3,300 for seven nights, or £43pp a night. shortstayhomes.co.uk
12. MIDDLETON HALL, NORTHUMBERLAND
Where: Belford, 13 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed. Cosy credentials: Guests at this magnificently restored Grade II listed 17th Century mansion will be wowed by the ornate ceilings in the Great Hall, an open fire, and palatial dining room with a table that can seat 24 people. There is also a games room with snooker table, while the beautiful grounds of 30 acres include a boating lake. Sleeps: 24 in ten bedrooms. Price: £6,819 for seven nights, or £41pp a night. sykescottages.co.uk
13. HOME FARM, CORNWALL
Where: Near Porthleven. Cosy credentials: This Georgian house has a formal sitting room with large marble fireplace and comfy White Company sofas, a five-oven Aga in the kitchen, and a separate dining room. Sleeps: Ten in five bedrooms. Price: £4,258 for seven nights, or £61pp a night. boutique-retreats.co.uk
14. THE LIMES, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Where: Great Missenden. Cosy credentials: Keen cooks will fall in love with the large kitchen with double Aga in this beautiful country house. Enjoy open fires in the living room and stunning views across the Chilterns. There’s also a Swedish hot tub in the immaculate gardens. Sleeps: Ten in five bedrooms. Price: £10,350 for seven nights, or £148pp a night. booking.com
15. THE BEAUTIFUL BUNKHOUSE, WALES
Where: Near Hay-on-Wye. Cosy credentials: One for a group of (fun) friends. This converted chapel beside the River Wye features an indoor tubular slide that shoots you from upstairs to the ground floor in seconds. There’s just one bedroom, which has a super-king bed and 12 single pod bunks. The striking living area features a sumptuous corner sofa and wood-burning stove. Sleeps: 14 in one bedroom. Price: £2,709 for seven nights, or £28pp a night. thebigdomain.com