Holidays are coming… Christmas in the South West 2011

The South West is transforming as a magical sparkle settles over the winter landscape. Christmas is fast approaching and we have a great selection of holiday cottages for a week’s worth of Christmas cheer, or just a few days using someone else’s kitchen for the turkey now that short breaks are available for the festive period. If you’re quick, you can take advantage of our cottages on Special Offer for that seasonal get-together with your nearest and dearest.

Communities come together for a bit of festive rivalry with Christmas lights competitions, and welcome visitors with markets and fairs full of local wares. Fill your days with the wintery wonders on offer and continue with late night shopping until it’s time for the big switch on, then let the little ones collapse into bed before warming with some locally brewed mulled wine in front of a log fire.

Forget untangling tinsel, think gatherings around an open fire and escape to a place full of Christmas spirit, where you can walk off the Brussels sprouts along the clifftops or moors. There is lots to love about Christmas in the South West. And here are a few of our suggestions.

Cornwall

Start early by taking the family to Trereife House for festive grandeur in historic Queen Anne manor house and its spectacular grounds. Discover the history, support local causes and browse the craft fair taking place undercover in heated marquees. 18th to 20th November.

Celebrations start in November at the Eden Project with the Time of Gifts winter festival, which involves parties, making and baking workshops, choirs and ice skating.

Fowey is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, and Christmas is no exception. If you’re in the area, stop by the Fowey Christmas Market on the last weekend of November.

Children of all ages will enjoy the unusual Christmas Teddy Bear Fair in Lostwithiel on 27th November.

For an unusual day out try a ‘homefront Christmas’ with the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, remembering Christmas through the war years, which may sound a little austere, but there are plenty of fun craft activities, a shop to browse, and you may even find Santa in the secret wartime tunnels!

Newquay has a whole 12 days of Christmas activities planned from 13th December and there are Christmas markets to explore throughout the county such as Padstow (2nd to 4th December) and the ever-popular Victorian market in Truro (14th to 18th December).

Devon

Christmas shopping isn’t complete without a trip to Santa’s Grotto to placate the children and Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre opens its on 19th November.

And whilst you’re in Exeter, you can do ‘all your Christmas shopping under one roof’ at the Christmas Shopping Fayre.

For something a little more bespoke and unusual, the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey is holding a Christmas Celebration Day of seasonal festivities on 3rd December.

If you find your holiday daytimes are already filled with cream teas and moor hiking, at least the shops are open late in Totnes on 6th, 13th and 20th December, accompanied by choirs, stalls and entertainment.

And if that isn’t enough, there are lots of other Christmas stalls throughout the county in the run-up to the big day.

Somerset

It’s only November but Christmas is coming early on 17th November with Clarks Village outlet shopping centre starting its late night shopping and Santa’s Grotto, and Hestercombe transforming into a winter wonderland with an ice rink, Christmas market and Carol singing.

Bath is renowned for its historic and beautiful architecture, and also the shopping at its centre. A spectacular Christmas market is held in the shadow of the Abbey (24th November to 11th December) and after a hard afternoon’s shopping you can relax in the Roman baths next door.

2011 sees the 25th Anniversary of the Dunster by Candlelight event held on 2nd and 3rd December. A step back in time sees the village turn off its halogens and streetlights and lines the streets with candles for a traditional atmosphere in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.

Dorset

There are lots of Christmas stalls and markets to eke out in Dorset. Chilfrome in Dorchester is holding a ‘festive family day out’ Christmas Bazaar in its tiny village of just 17 houses on 21st November.

Sherborne is a popular place to visit, with its medieval buildings, grand Abbey and two castles, so imagine that setting for a Festive Shopping Day (download the .pdf poster for info). 4th December they have planned a Grotto, music and carols, artisan craft market, clog dancers and more!

Then on the 18th December a Feast of Christmas is being held in Bridport, with a plethora of local food producers coming together to provide the final few festive flavours to jampack your cupboards with.

Find a holiday cottage for somewhere to cosy up in after a long day’s Christmas cheer in Cornwall, Devon,  Somerset or Dorset>>