When it comes to Christmas and New Year, sometimes it’s the bigger the better, whether it’s more mince pies or more of the people you love - after all, what’s better than rounding up the whole family for some festive celebrations, from Christmas Day feasts to the glamour of New Year’s Eve?
To make your family get-together even more special, we’ve compiled a collection of large cottages perfect for groups and multigenerational gatherings, welcoming and delighting everyone from the giggling baby to the proudly beaming grandparents.
So, whether you want a cosy cottage near a pub so mum and dad can sneak away knowing grandma and grandad are entertaining the kids, or you want a giant living room with a fire so you can spend your evenings playing charades and watching as many Christmas films you can, we’ve got a Christmas cottage for you.
Ready to plan your festive holiday with the family? Here are some of our favourite large cottages for Christmas and New Year…
Coastview
Marazion, Cornwall | Sleeps 12
Best for: Coastal stomps and Christmas lights
This sprawling coastal pad is the ultimate multigenerational getaway, with six beautiful bedrooms ensuring the whole family can enjoy a Christmas holiday in Cornwall. Perched above the golden beach in Peranuthnoe, and just around the salt-kissed corner from Marazion, Coastview more than lives up to its name. Christmas here means wintry walks along the cliffs, taking in the iconic scenes of Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount, and button-popping Sunday lunches at the many fabulous pubs that fill every corner of West Cornwall - not to mention the famous Christmas lights in nearby Mousehole. Returning to your Christmas cottage, fill your days with storm watching and feasting, with the kitchen, dining, and living areas all boasting uninterrupted views across the sea.
Ferry Point House
Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute | Sleeps 6
Best for: Spectacular sea views
Another cottage with sweeping views across the water, Ferry Point House is a masterclass in waterside style. Large windows fill the walls, inviting you to kick back and watch the boats float by, or keep your eyes on the skies for Santa. You’ll find a piano on hand for those ever slightly off-key renditions of Silent Night and a choice of two dining tables for the all-important Christmas lunch. With two gorgeous super-king bedrooms and one king, Ferry Point House is perfect for holidays with family and friends. The spacious living areas promise many games of charades, while the waterside location tempts you to enjoy the age-old tradition of a Christmas Day swim. Argyll and Bute is full of fascinating days out, from scenic filming locations (Downton Abbey viewers in particular will love nearby Inverary Castle) to breathtaking walks framed by mountains and lochs.
Wreath Farm
Lyme Regis, Dorset | Sleeps 18
Best for: Large family gatherings
Perfect for families that want to holiday together but rest apart, Wreath Farm boasts three gorgeous, dog-friendly holiday cottages (The Apple Press, The Cowshed, and Wreath Farmhouse) that beckon for the cosiest of Christmasses. A shared games room ensures you can fill your stay with plenty of friendly competition, while fire-warmed living rooms invite you to curl up and enjoy a moment of toasty calm. A stone’s throw from the rugged Jurassic Coast, enjoy breathtaking strolls by the sea, fossil hunting as you go, before piling into a welcoming pub for a button-popping Christmas dinner or New Year’s toast. You’re also close to some of Somerset’s beautiful historic houses, which often dress to impress during the festive season.
Kingfisher Cottage
Leominster, Herefordshire | Sleeps 6
Best for: A quintessential Christmas
Nestled within the rolling countryside of Herefordshire, Kingfisher Cottage is a chocolate-box dream. Two double bedrooms and one twin room ensure grandparents, parents, and kids have a wonderful stay, while the welcoming living room invites you to play games before the fire. The beautiful terracotta kitchen has everything you need for creating a Christmas feast, and the lovely garden promises plenty of space for the pooch to run around. The historic black and white village of Pembridge is only a short drive away, and boasts a wonderful selection of village pubs and shops, or you can travel a little further and discover the beautiful city of Hereford, where cathedrals and cider museums await.
Driftwood
Croyde, Devon | Sleeps 9
Best for: A very nautical Christmas
Driftwood is a stylish haven situated a stone’s throw from the golden sands of Croyde Bay, one of North Devon’s top surfing destinations. An undercurrent of nautical style flows through the space, from the fabulous kitchen island that is made with reclaimed wood from Indonesian boats to the tide clock that helps you time your beach walks just right. Kids will love the bunk beds, while the cosy snug beneath the stairs invites you to sink into a good book in utter comfort. The beautiful beach in Croyde is perfect for Christmas Day strolls, while the South West Coast Path promises salt-kissed adventures followed by a pub stop (or two).
Park Farm Cottage
Malmesbury, Wiltshire | Sleeps 8
Best for: Cosy evenings in
Park Farm Cottage is cosiness incarnate, from the oh-so-sinkable sofas to the wood burners that fill the living and dining room with toasty warmth - perfect for Christmas in the countryside. If you have a dog or children with you, the large enclosed garden will be a holiday staple, with lots of space for running around and a charming wooden wigwam for the little ones to play in. Venturing from your holiday haven, you’ll find the sprawling delights of the Cotswolds on your doorstep. Honey-dipped cottages, rolling countryside, and cosy cafés are just the ticket for a day of exploring, or you can kick things up a notch and book a table at one of the incredible Michelin star restaurants in the area - Christmas dinner never looked so good!
Colwell Bay Cottages
Freshwater, Isle of Wight | Sleeps 8
Best for: A Wight Christmas
If, like us, you’re dreaming of a Wight Christmas, these two Island cottages are just the thing. Driftwood and Escape Away are moments from the beautiful Colwell Bay, where golden sands and Michelin recommended meals await, and boast endless charm throughout. Enclosed gardens ensure the pooches have plenty of space for sniffs, while the hot tubs invite you to sink into the bubbling depths as you stargaze (and Santa watch!). You can also use the park’s indoor swimming pool, which is open throughout December. The Isle of Wight is magical throughout the Christmas season, from the historic houses that dress for the occasion to the many festive attractions that provide fun for the whole family.
Seaholm
St Davids, Pembrokeshire | Sleeps 10
Best for: Coastal adventures
A sprawling sea-view retreat, dog-friendly Seaholm is the ultimate cottage for large groups. A spacious living/kitchen/dining area promises space for all, whether you want to curl up in front of your favourite Christmas film or gather around the kitchen island as you feast on crackers and local cheese. Challenge friends and family to a game of table tennis in the games room, or make the most of the outdoor shower when returning from a surf (or a particularly muddy walk). Overlooking Pembrokeshire’s stunning coast, it’s rather easy to be tempted onto the coastal path. Luckily, a myriad of walks and beaches are ready to welcome you into the fresh air, whether you fancy a quick stomp before lunch or a day-long adventure full of picnic breaks and café visits.
Low Shaw Farmhouse
Hawes, Yorkshire | Sleeps 8
Best for: A storybook Christmas
Low Shaw Farmhouse was made for fairytale festivities. The beautifully styled farmhouse boasts cosy interiors that immediately wrap you up in their warmth. The fabulous kitchen, with its large farmhouse table, promises big and beautiful Christmas dinners or swanky New Year’s Eve drinks with family, while the fire-warmed living room and cosy playroom invite you to pull out the board games to ring in the New Year with some friendly competition. Close to the pretty village of Hawes, Low Shaw Farmhouse is perfectly placed for some festive explorations. Uncover magical Christmas lights, spectacular displays at local landmarks, and a host of Christmas markets bursting with local goodies.
Cape Wrath Lodge
Durness, Scottish Highlands | Sleeps 16
Best for: A wild and wonderful get-together
From the very tops of the surrounding mountains to the depths of the estuary that flows past, Cape Wrath Lodge enjoys simply astonishing views in every direction. Inside, jaws will continue to drop as you explore the incredibly decorated home. An electric organ waits to accompany a raucous and oh-so-festive sing-along, a cinema promises Christmas movie nights aplenty, and the semi-professional kitchen has everything you need to whip up a Christmas dinner for the ages. Tucked away in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Cape Wrath Lodge has some wonderful walks and nearby landmarks to explore, from Smoo Cave in nearby Durness to the picturesque beaches that line the coast.
St Morwenna
Tintagel, Cornwall | Sleeps 8
Best for: Dramatic Christmas Day walks
Christmas in Cornwall is truly a magical time, with Christmas lights twinkling in the waves and the Bude Christmas Day swim attracting hundreds of brave swimmers excited to take the plunge. Tucked away off the coast at Tintagel, St Morwenna welcomes festive guests for a truly memorable Christmas. One of the most dramatic spots in Cornwall, the North Coast comes alive in winter as giant waves crash against the cliffs and fill the air with a salty spray – there really is no better place to walk (especially if you fancy a hearty stroll with a pub stop). After your breath-taking coastal ramble, fall into the warming embrace of the living room with a mug of hot chocolate and the wood-burner roaring and throw on your favourite Christmas film for utter festive bliss!
Eeyore’s Cottage
Dartmouth, Devon | Sleeps 6
Best for: A truly child-friendly stay
Filled with charming touches to make the little ones feel totally at home (including toys and children’s books), as well as offering a travel cot, high chair, and stair-gate to those who need them, Eeyore’s Cottage is a great choice for those holidaying with little elves. With ties to A A Milne (the cottage was once the home of the author’s son, and beautiful Winnie the Pooh drawings can be found adorning the walls), this family-friendly cottage will be adored by every member of the family who loves the tales of The Hundred Acre Wood. The house itself is ideal for some December decadence, with underfloor heating in the kitchen and bathrooms and a roaring wood-burner in the sitting room – no cold toes allowed in this cottage! Oh, and let’s not forget Dartmouth Steam Train, which can be seen chugging through the surrounding countryside covered in Christmas lights – the perfect festive outing in Devon!
Excited for a Christmas surrounded by loved ones? Explore our fantastically large and beautiful holiday cottages and start planning your festive family getaway.
