Spending time with friends and family over Christmas is what many of us look forward to. Last year it couldn’t happen. Hopefully, this year it will. Is it time to find somewhere lovely to stay to create some special memories?

Cottage World has the most extensive choice of large holiday properties…

You may be looking to book a large property for that long-awaited family get together with enough room for everyone to sleep comfortably — or a group of cottages in a complex that lets everyone have their own space. There are some great places to choose from; A farmhouse in the Cotswolds with great walks on your doorstep, a seaside retreat with added hot tub, or a converted barn in the Peak District with magnificent views.  

Special offers this Christmas…

Toad Hall Cottages – some with 10% off over Christmas and New Year!

See Cornwall without the summer crowds 

Devon and Cornwall are popular summer destinations. The downside of this is that you often have traffic queues and need to fight the crowds for pavement space! Why not spend a winter break in Cornwall? or discover the delights of Devon without the crowds. Wild and windswept landscapes are beautiful antidotes to the winter blues. A large family gathering in the summer can be expensive, and demand outstripped supply this year once the restrictions of Covid were lifted, particularly in popular holiday destinations. Choosing off-peak times could be a better option. Okay, you might not get the weather, but some holiday properties have fantastic indoor entertainment.

Perhaps a white Christmas in Northumberland snuggled in front of a log fire

Cosying up in front of a log fire with snow gently falling around is a cliqued scene from many movies — think of the ‘Holiday’ or ‘Bridget Jones Diary’. However, it needn’t be the Cotswolds to be idyllic. The Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland and Wales, even the Malverns. Offer some gorgeous cottages with open fires. Snow is not guaranteed.

Give the local publican some support – we’ve loads of holiday cottages near a pub  

A top feature people look for when searching for a holiday cottage to rent is the proximity to a good pub! 

Something uniquely British is our love of the pub, and publicans need our support this year more than ever. It might be to enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer or a full-blown gourmet meal or just good old scampi and chips; having a pub within walking distance is a real bonus.

Working from (the holiday) home…

Flexible working — the ability to work from anywhere — has been one of the positives of the pandemic for many. There is no need to wait until 6 pm Friday to head off for the weekend; as long as the Wi-Fi is good, you can work anywhere. In addition, it opens up the opportunity to arrive early and stay in a holiday property a bit longer — still time for a stroll by the beach after logging off.

And there’s always Hogmanay in Scotland

The Scots take celebrating the arrival of the New Year very seriously. So why not join them and experience some ‘first footing’ and Scottish joy? Lang may yer lum reek, and I remember my Scottish relatives cheering –– translated as Long may your chimney smoke! Which wishes you a long and healthy life. Cottage World has numerous lovely lodges in Scotland and plenty of large houses for a family proper Hogmanay. 

Four-legged friends welcomed by many holiday property owners

If you acquired a pet during the pandemic, the joy of taking a break in the UK is that you don’t need to worry about rabies jabs and pet passports or expensive kennelling costs. 

Many holiday properties now welcome responsible pet owners. You can specifically search for ‘pet-friendly properties on Cottage World.

Are you stuck for a gift idea? Why not book a cottage?

Maybe a gift of a holiday away together could be the perfect solution to avoid the panic of what presents to buy for Christmas. It could be a getaway at Easter or during 2022’s special extended May Bank Holiday. No doubt about it big houses to rent are in demand.

Perhaps you missed celebrating a ‘big’ birthday — and you want to get all your friends together — or you’ve had the wedding but want a belated girly ‘hen do’ in luxury surroundings. 

Whatever the reason, start looking and get booking — it’s good to have something to look forward to…

Why not escape to your very own woodland? With a choice of wonderful beaches nearby, on the edge of a great village with a superb pub, in the heart of the South Hams, Devon, Collaford wood has so much to offer.  A great adventure for kids and a relaxing, chilled environment for grown-ups.

Experience off-grid living – yet there are hot showers and the most amazing bath to soak in.  Exclusively yours is the use of two yurts and a very special Shepherd’s Hut. There is even provision for an extra tent if you need more space.  Handcrafted kitchen and bathroom spaces blend beautifully into the woodland setting giving a wonderful sense of calm.

A real escape to the wild!  Close the nature, away from the crowds…

no WiFi
no hassle
nobody else
just you

Who would have thought that nearly a year after the first lockdown, foreign holiday cancellations, an upsurge in motorhome sales, and fierce demand for UK holiday accommodation, we would be in the same position? And with the news that even British residents arriving in England from Covid hotspots will have to quarantine in hotels, it might be wise to opt for a UK holiday destination this summer. No added expense of paying for Covid tests or having to isolate for ten days on return. No sitting on a plane for hours in a mask or having to fathom out the Covid rules of a foreign country!

Many Cottage holiday providers are having to re-scheduled last years bookings

So, unless you’re planning a true ‘staycation’ — just venturing out for day trips, finding self-catering holiday accommodation in the UK might be the only problem. Bookings are up! Demand is high! Additionally, some holiday providers have to honour last years re-scheduled bookings, decreasing availability.

July and August are traditionally the busy months, with holiday rentals in Devon and Cornwall often booked up well in advance. Bookings for larger properties, sleeping 6+, are also on the rise — as families seek to get together in the summer after missing out on Christmas.

Whether it’s a luxury cottage with a hot tub; a lodge with a swimming pool, sea view and beach in walking distance or just a simple yurt in the woods, our advice is to get ahead and book early.

We all need something to look forward to, and who knows it could be a glorious British summer!

Here’s a roundup of Cottage Agents offer pages…

• Sykes Holiday Cottages – offers page
• Holiday Cottages – offers
• National Trust Holidays – discounts and offers 10% discount for August break bookings (August stay dates) Please use this discount code: AF21 Follow this link

It’s hard to keep positive, yet as the Covid vaccination programme rolls out, we can start dreaming about Spring and Summer holidays, sun, sea, sand, fresh air and rolling countryside. Is it time to pencil in that UK break? Current government guidance for holiday accommodation means that:

• In England and Wales, all holiday accommodation is closed until 21 February 2021  
• In Northern Ireland, all holiday is closed until 6 February 2021 inclusive.
• All holiday accommodation in mainland Scotland is closed until at least the end of January 2021.

You can book for holidays after these dates, and as travel abroad seems less likely this year and demand for UK cottage holidays high, we advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

Here’s a roundup of Cottage Agents offer pages…

• Sykes Holiday Cottages – offers page
• Holiday Cottages – offers
• National Trust Holidays – discounts and offers

The new lockdown for England announced by the Prime Minister on 31st October comes into effect on 00.01 Thursday 5th November and is currently planned to last for 4 weeks until 2 December 2020. Although traditionally a quiet time for taking a break in the UK, the restrictions earlier in the year on travel had meant that bookings were being made for November and December.

Can I go on holiday during a lockdown?

The guidance given by Visit Britain/Visit England states that

• There is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday. This means people cannot travel internationally or within the UK unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions. Overnight stays away from primary residences will not be allowed, except for specific exceptions including for work.
• So, if you have a cottage holiday booked for next week unfortunately you won’t be able to go. And an escape to sunnier shores is also of the cards as you also won’t be able to travel overseas unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons.

Can I go to Scotland on holiday then?

Unfortunately holidaying elsewhere in the UK won’t be allowed. Whilst Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different restrictions, the rules operating in England mean that you won’t be able to travel to these locations for a holiday during the lockdown period.

Can I book a cottage holiday for 2021?

It is good to have something to look forward to and bookings for 2021 self-catering accommodation in the UK can still be made, always with the knowledge that Covid-19 could change things.

As the situation is changing rapidly it’s a good idea to check UK Gov website for the most up to date information.

If I book will I get my money back if I can’t go due to Covid-19

After the last lockdown, many travel companies were criticised for failing to refund holiday bookings. This time they need to better, and it’s good to see that many booking agents and cottage holiday companies are offering to refund if Covid-19 restrictions prevent travel. It’s important to check the booking terms and conditions.

This summer saw high demand for holiday accommodation in the UK and 2021 could be the same, especially in the popular coastal regions such as Devon and Cornwall. So it might be wise to book early – as they say – to avoid disappointment!