Lane Foot Cottage (Image: NC)
YORKSHIRE
Just outside the pretty town of High Bentham, Lane Foot Cottage couldn’t be better for walkers. It’s a half-hour drive from Horton in Ribblesdale where walkers set off for the Three Peaks. The area abounds with caves and waterfalls. The famous Settle-Carlisle Railway is nearby, as of course are the glorious Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities.
The stone-built three-bedroom property is set over two floors.The cosy sitting room has a large wood burner, exposed beams and tiled floors covered with rugs.
Seven nights from December 20 from £1,758 (£293pp), sleeps six. sykescottages.co.uk, 01244 356666
WALES
Cad wan, near Amlwch, is one of two stone cottages at Cae Pant Cottages on the island of Anglesey.
The contemporary slate grey and white interiors are fresh and the four bedrooms are minimal yet stylish with wood panelling, throws on the beds and crisp white linens.
The fishing village of Amlwch is a short drive away and the pretty harbour has shops, pubs and restaurants aplenty. Nearby are Anglesey Sea Zoo, Beaumaris Castle and golf courses.
Seven nights from December 20 from £1,529, (£191pp), sleeps eight. cottages.com, 0345 498 6900
Cad wan, near Amlwch (Image: NC)
CORNWALL
Samphire Beach House, just 10 minutes from Newquay, is a showstopper with a blue and white beach vibe style.
The living, dining and kitchen areas are intertwined and feature modular pale grey sofas and a blondewood kitchen.
Overlooking the dunes of Holywell Bay and located in a gated development, it sleeps eight in four bedrooms; two twins, one king and super king with ensuite and a private balcony.There are footpaths and secret caves to explore. Crantock and Porth Joke beaches are nearby.
Seven nights from December 20, £1,395 (£175pp), sleeps eight. forevercornwall.co.uk, 01326 567 838
Relais & Chateaux Airds Hotel in Argyll (Image: NC)
SCOTLAND
Here you get the best of both worlds – your own private cottage in the grounds of the glamorous Relais & Chateaux Airds Hotel in Argyll, on Scotland’s west coast, as well as access to the hotel.
The small hotel will welcome you for afternoon tea and dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by the traditional extravaganza with all the trimmings on December 25 and a good old fry up on Boxing day followed by dinner.
The nice thing is being able to retreat to your own two-roomed, open-plan cottage to curl up on the sofa with a book, or walk to Clach Thoull and Loch Laich, with pubs at the end to recharge.
Three nights from December 24 from £895pp, sleeps four. airds-hotel.com, 01631 730236
Garden Cottage is quintessentially English with roses around the doorway (Image: NC)
STAFFORDSHIRE
Lord it up in the grounds of Staffordshire’s Wootton Hall Estate. Close to the Peak District, Garden Cottage is quintessentially English with roses around the doorway.
This three-bedroom property features a light-filled living room and country-style kitchen. It’s a great spot for walkers and cyclists.
The large dining room would be ideal for a Christmas knees-up. Beds feature crisp white linens and rural views. Nearby is rustic-gastro pub The Duncombe Arms.
Seven nights from £2,172 (£362pp), sleeps six. duncombearms.co.uk/garden-cottage
Tilberthwaite Farm Cottage (Image: NC)
LAKE DISTRICT
Two-storey Tilberthwaite Farm Cottage has two bedrooms and is found at the base of the Lakeland mountains near the National Trust’s Tarn Hows.There’s a wood-burning fire and an open-plan living room/kitchen/dining room. Upstairs are two pretty bedrooms – one double, one twin – and a bathroom. Its location is all about the scenery with great routes on your doorstep such as Hodge Close.
Seven nights from December 21, £725, sleeps four. sykescottages.co.uk, 01244 356666
NORFOLK
This fabulous converted mill, with original ironwork adorning the ceilings, dates back to the 1800s and is set over four floors.
Just outside North Walsham, Cubitts is perfectly positioned to explore the north Norfolk coast.The living area on the second floor offers fabulous views right over the canal. Fish in the mill pond or take a pre-dinner walk through the woods.
Teenagers may be more interested in the Xbox. Kids will love the third-floor living space and there are four bedrooms, sleeping nine. You can walk the dogs in Bacton Wood or stroll to a nearby pub.
Seven nights from December 20, from £1,895 (£210pp), sleeps nine. originalcottages.co.uk
Sunnydell cottage in the New Forest (Image: NC)
NEW FOREST
The New Forest is magical at Christmas and Sunnydell cottage sits in a clearing surrounded by woodland and Burley, with great pubs, is a 10-minute walk away.
There are six bedrooms. Teenagers will love their own room in the ‘stables’ complete with playroom.The sitting room has low ceilings and a wood burner. The large kitchen sits eight comfortably.
Wild ponies hang their heads over the gate for apples and forest walks in any direction can be had from the property.
Three nights from December 24 from £2,635 (£220pp), sleeps up to nine adults and three children. newforestescapes.com, 01590 462 005/ thenewforest.co.uk