Christmas cottage break in south west England
How do you see Christmas, a time for entertaining and parties, a peaceful time with closest family or a time to relax and do little?.
Have you ever dreamed of hosting Christmas or New Year for all the family and postponed the idea as you don’t have sufficient accommodation to entertain them in comfort? With careful planning, it could be a real possibility! Imagine renting a spacious property with enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone, large entertaining rooms and a state of the art kitchen – all the space you will need for eating, relaxing and the inevitable party games!
Or maybe you are a couple, looking for a quiet Christmas break away from home. If so, why not consider a romantic cottage in the countryside – roaring log fires, long walks down winding country lanes and across the fields on crisp, frosty mornings; a lazy pub lunch on Boxing Day. Perhaps a shopping trip to a historic local town if your break is long enough. There are many options to be explored.
Interesting places to visit over Christmas in the south west
Warmly dressed go out and investigate the scenery and tourist attractions in south west England. Lots of fabulous sights and colour, even in December.
Sherborne, in Dorset, is a perfect location for a short break. The town nestles between green valleys and wooded hills and boasts a wealth of history, including its famous 15C abbey (with the heaviest ring of eight bells in the world), two castles (one built by Sir Walter Raleigh), 15C almshouses and many medieval buildings. Shopping is a delight in Sherborne, with a wide range of individually-owned shops in Cheap Street (pedestrianised between 12 am and 4 pm Mon – Fri and from 11 am on Saturday).- a great place to get inspiration for that last-minute special gift. The town is a treasure trove for antique buyers – all open on Christmas Eve, so plenty of choice in unusual presents here! The town is also a great place to shop for your Christmas fare. There is a traditional butcher in Cheap Street, a baker offering a huge variety of specialist breads, a traditional greengrocer, plus some tempting delis – your chance to buy some super local produce to savour at home.
If time allows and you fancy being more adventurous, drive down to Cerne Abbas and see the famous “giant” on the hillside, or take a walk on one of the hill forts – Bradbury Rings, Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill, from where there are some amazing views.
You could venture further afield and visit the World Heritage Jurassic Coast or the beautiful New Forest National Park – they are all within striking distance. If it’s wet outside and it’s not a Bank Holiday, visit one of the museums, mills or manor houses. For those interested in the military, a visit to the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford Forum should impress, for historians, Athelhampton House, near Dorchester, is a must.
There are many pretty villages between Sherborne and Dorchester, all ideal for renting a property over the festive season. Combine country walks and fresh air with some history and art. There’s something to suit all ages and abilities and if there’s time, treat yourselves to a Dorset cream tea, some blue vinney cheese, or a slice of delicious Dorset apple cake!
Cornwall is fabulous for a holiday, especially in the summer. People travel to be near families at Christmas and if your family lives in Cornwall you may wish to look at holiday cottages in Cornwall for Christmas. Even if you cannot stay with your family, you can still stay near them and meeet up for Christmas meals.
