By Lucy Richardson, i-escape Assistant Editor
If all you want for Christmas is a cosy cottage to snuggle up in, you’re in luck! We’ve found 10 UK house rentals, all with availability over Christmas 2019. But be quick, they’re filling up fast…
House rentals for families
1 Barsham Barns, Norfolk
These blissful barn conversions (sleeping 4-6), close to the north Norfolk coast, couldn’t be better set up for family Christmas breaks. Their smart, open-plan layouts are perfect for communal living, with chunky oak dining tables for Christmas feasts and adjacent kitchens for cooking up a storm. There’s underfloor heating, wood-burning stoves and DVD players for cosy evenings in, plus a shared steam room, Jacuzzi and games room with ping pong and football tables. Head out for a Christmas walk on the empty yet stunning local beaches, or go wildlife spotting – the coast is terrific for seals and birdlife.
Price over Christmas: From £171 per barn per night (seven-night minimum stay)
2 Bruern Cottages, Oxfordshire
Look no further than these classic country cottages (sleeping 2-14) for a good old-fashioned English Christmas with the family. Set in the grounds of a Cotswolds abbey, they exude elegance, with floral patterned wallpapers, porcelain tea sets and four-posters. The well-stocked kitchens have ample space for preparing Christmas dinner, and kids can keep themselves entertained in the games room and the shared indoor pool. Outside, there are rambling English country gardens and rolling valleys for bracing winter walks.
Price over Christmas: From £260 per cottage per night (two-night minimum stay)
3 Bude Hideaways, Devon
Deep in the countryside on the Cornwall-Devon border, these colourful barn conversions sit within seven acres of rural farmland. Spend a peaceful Christmas here and you can while away your days admiring the meadows and letting the kids run free on the lawns. Help yourself to fresh eggs from the roaming chickens for breakfast, and when the weather turns, snuggle beneath chunky woollen blankets and recline in front of the wood burners. Be quick though, there’s only one barn left (sleeps 4) with availability over Christmas!
Price over Christmas: From £213 per barn per night (three-night minimum stay)
4 Sea Garden Cottages, Tresco, Isles of Scilly
For your best shot at good weather over Christmas, escape the UK mainland and head for Tresco, on the Isles of Scilly. It’s renowned for its mild climate (we’re talking a few degrees warmer here, not tropical temperatures!) and beautiful landscapes. These gorgeous seafront cottages (sleeping 2-10) have fully-equipped kitchens, spacious dining areas, underfloor heating and wood-burning stoves for keeping cosy. There’s an indoor pool (closed on Christmas Day) and a leisure spa offering treatments. And just for the holidays, you get a Festive Hamper on arrival and a Christmas tree for stashing the presents under.
Price over Christmas: From £336 per three-bedroom cottage per night (seven-night minimum stay)
5 Cotswolds Place, Worcestershire
The picture-perfect Cotswolds village of Broadway is a magical setting for Christmas. Honey-coloured cottages with thatched roofs line the streets, shop windows are decorated with gifts, sweets and twinkling lights, and Christmas trees illuminate the pavements. This gorgeous, Grade II-listed hideaway (sleeps 4) sits slap bang in the middle of the action. Inside, it’s all exposed oak beams, wonky walls and designer-meets-retro furniture. There are two bedrooms, making it perfect for a family of four, plus a fully-fitted kitchen. For a treat, go for a festive dinner at the historic coaching inn, The Lygon Arms, located opposite the apartment.
Price over Christmas: £200 per night (two-night minimum stay)
House rentals for couples
1 Blackdown Hills Hideaway, Devon
Blackdown Hills Hideaways couldn’t look more like a cosy fairytale cottage if it tried: its marvellous stone and thatched exterior overlooks miles of rolling fields in every direction – just imagine that view in the snow! The building is a former cowshed, but you’d never know it. Inside, it’s got high-tech gadgetry and sleek styling. Everything is top of the range – from the Bosch touchscreen oven to the Bamford toiletries – and there’s a huge roll-top tub-for-two that gazes out over the fields. We can’t think of a more magical place to hole-up in with a loved one over Christmas.
Price over Christmas: £263 per night (five-night minimum stay)
2 St Ives Boutique Hideaways, Cornwall
Who says seaside escapes are just for summer? This collection of gorgeous little cottages are right by the beach and feel super cosy at Christmas. Most have just one bedroom, so it’s more for couples looking to escape, though there is a larger three-bedroom cottage that would suit families. All have underfloor heating for keeping you toasty, some have log burners and one even has a steam room. Countless coastal walks are on your doorstep, and if you feel like heading out for Christmas lunch with trimmings, St Ives has no shortage of homely pubs.
Price over Christmas: From £146 per cottage per night (three-night minimum stay)
3 Bridport Hideaways, Dorset
For those of you who prefer a little festive cheer around Christmas, the delightful market town of Bridport, close to the Jurassic Coast, is buzzy all year round. Located above a gorgeous vintage bookshop, these apartments-for-two are perfectly positioned in the centre of town, and one still has availability. Curl up in luxury linens and enjoy a long, warming soak in the roll-top bath. The open-plan living space has a small kitchenette, but you’ll probably want to head out for your Christmas meal. In town, make sure you check out the festive screenings at the Electric Palace, one of the best-preserved Art Deco cinemas in the UK.
Price over Christmas: £150 per apartment per night (three-night minimum stay)
4 Blue Door Barns, Sussex
These boutique barns are great couples’ hideaways for Christmas, with fairy lights and candles festooning the rooms. They’re decorated with flea-market finds, upcycled furniture and cowskin rugs, and they look out over an enchanting, fairy-lit courtyard. The largest barn, The Lodge, still has availability over Christmas and comes with a lovely open-plan kitchen-living-bedroom space, plus a cosy mezzanine level with twin beds. The nearby town of Lewes makes for a delightful day out – think independent chocolatiers, bookshops and vintage clothing – or you could brave a blustery walk on the South Downs.
Price over Christmas: £150 per barn per night (three-night minimum stay)
5 The Boathouse at Knotts End, Lake District
If you hate the hype of Christmas and just dream of escaping, this very secluded lakeside cottage – an i-escape bestseller – keeps the world at bay. It’s set on a private stretch of waterfront, so there are no neighbours and no passing cars. And with no WiFi and no TV reception, you have zero risk of getting caught up watching cheesy Christmas reruns. Instead, you gaze out over unbroken views to the fells. If you’re up for braving the elements, there are loads of outdoor activities, and you get your own rowing boat for exploring the lake. Or, simply stay put and get stuck into a good book or board game.
Price over Christmas: £295 per night (two-night minimum stay)