Winter

Hurling the Silver Ball in St Ives

The St Ives Feast and hurling the silver ball are longstanding Cornwall traditions that take place in February. Brighten up your winter with a St Ives holiday filled with fun traditions.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Christmas Day dips

If you're feeling adventurous this Christmas and fancy a bracing dip, here's where to go for a group swim in Cornwall.

Things to do Sadie Phillips

Guide to stargazing in Cornwall

Embrace the Great Outdoors, wrap up warm and spend an evening stargazing, either from the patio of your holiday cottage or in one of these popular places.

Things to do Abby D

Decorated cottages for Christmas and New Year

Still looking for a place to stay over Christmas and New Year? These cottages are still available and have the added bonus of Christmas decorations to keep your festive spirits high.

News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy

Ice skating in Hampshire

Get your skates on for a festive activity to remember. Keep kids busy with an exciting session on the ice at these popular ice rinks in Hampshire.

Things to do Kylie Barton

Top four Dorset Christmas markets

Get into the festive spirit in Dorset this Christmas with our top four Christmas markets from across the county.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Top four Somerset Christmas markets

Soak up everything Somerset has to offer in the festive season with our top pick of Christmas markets and fairs from across the county.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Storm watching in Cornwall

Break from the mould of a standard Summer holiday and experience the wilder side of Cornwall with some storm watching. Hold on to your hat!

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Haytor Quarries walk on Dartmoor

Come rain or shine, this Dartmoor walk is enjoyable at any time of year. Winter, spring, summer or autumn, you'll find our writer, Philip heading to Haytor Quarries.

Things to do Philip Eley

Dorset escapes

With the children back at school it is safe for the parents and grandparents to get out into the world unhindered; this might be the perfect time for a romantic getaway, just the two of you on a Dorset escape.

Places to Go Becky Bye

Remote cottages to get away from it all

A collection of some of our most remote properties. Perfect for those who want to get away from it all this Christmas and New Year.

News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy

New Year holidays with a view

See in the New Year with something special to see - these holiday cottages have views to feast your eyes on.

News & Offers Katie Chown

New Year in Cornwall

The festivities have come to a close but there are still plenty of places to explore across Cornwall. Make the most of your stay in the county with some of our favourite activities to do at New Year.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

New Year in Devon

Christmas and New Year in Devon is a wonderful time to get out and explore all that the county has to offer. Here are some of our favourite activities for that quiet time between partying and socialising.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

New Year in Dorset

Explore Dorset during your down time over Christmas and New Year. A much better use of your holiday time than staying in and watching TV - that's what catch up is for.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

New Year in Somerset

See the sights of Somerset this Christmas and New Year by exploring some of the best bits the county has to offer in the winter.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Winter walks in Cornwall

Pull yourself out of hibernation. It will do you the world of good. Put that extra gear on – the wellies, the wool, the fleece, the waterproofs. Layer up. It’s time to brave the storm with these wonderful winter walks.

Visitors' Book Sadie Phillips

New Year in Hampshire

Spend that time between Christmas and New Year making the most of your holiday in Hampshire. Here are some ideas to get you started on things to do to relax over the festive period.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Geevor Tin Mine

For my family, day trips normally involve beaches or stately homes, but whilst holidaying in Cornwall this half-term the bad weather forced us to think creatively. And so feeling the Poldark effect, we found ourselves at Geevor Tin Mine.

Places to Go Philip Eley

Where to find red squirrels on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a wildlife haven with several reserves and an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty, there are plenty of animals to spot. Red squirrels have been homed on the Isle of Wight to protect the species, here are our top places to lay in wait for a glance or two.

Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy

Arts cinemas in the South and West

Cinemas are everywhere. And can be a great way to dodge a rainy day while you’re on holiday. But if you like places with a dash of character and plenty of good films to go around, you might want to plan a special trip to one of these.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

10 best cosy country pubs in south Devon

The Danish have a word for the comfort and well-being of being inside by a fire while the weather outside is terrible. I’ve put together this list of South Devon’s best cosy country pubs for you to find your own Hygge.

Places to Go Philip Eley

The Times Top 3 winter walks

Check out things to do and where to stay if you fancy following one of The Times' winter walks to celebrate all things outdoors.

News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy

Cosy pubs in Cornwall

Warm up after a winter walk in one of these cosy pubs in Cornwall.

Visitors' Book Sadie Phillips

Catering for Christmas with hampers

Food is always a tough one to get organised over Christmas. With most shops now delivering, go for something a little more local to add a touch of the west country to your festivities.

Classic Fodder Kayleigh Hardy

New Year champagne cocktail recipes

Champagne - the king of New Year drinks. Here are two of my favourite cocktails to get your party started for the New Year.

Classic Fodder Kayleigh Hardy

Christmas and New Year celebrations in Somerset

It's time to pop the champagne and pour yourself a glass of fizz after all your hard work this year. Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Somerset with these events.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Philleigh Way Cookery School venison recipe

A brief but beautiful recipe from Philleigh Way cookery school based in the Roseland in Cornwall. Perfect for making an impact on your guests for Christmas and New Year.

Classic Fodder Kayleigh Hardy

Trerice by Candlelight - ghost hunting in Cornwall

I had never visited a stately home by candlelight before. So when I noticed that Trerice House in Cornwall was one of a handful of National Trust properties which organised night time ghost walks I was truly excited by the idea.

Visitors' Book Philip Eley

A wet hotel on the Somerset Levels

This year the elements have conspired more than even to provide a fabulous winter hotel on the Somerset Levels for the best of wild bird guests that you could hope for.

Things to do Anna H

New Year Walks in Dorset

What we need is some fresh air and exercise, and Dorset thankfully has scenic walking spots in abundance. Wrap up warm, bundle the kids and dogs into the back of the car and head down to any of these places on New Year's Day to brush off the cobwebs.

Places to Go Becky Bye

Winter walks in Dorset

Dorset has some of the finest countryside that the nation has to offer, including some absolutely breath-taking views. For beauty, views, and for a certain special something, here are some top winter walks around Dorset as the cold weather closes in around us.

Places to Go Becky Bye

10 reasons to Christmas in Cornwall

With temperature dropping and the nights drawing in, it’s easy to lust after summer. But our sights are set firmly on the good stuff: a return to decent telly, wintry comfort food (hello Shepherd’s Pie, we’ve missed you) and most exciting of all - Christmas!

Things to do Abby D

Top places to take tea

Warm your winter by taking tea at one of our top 5 places in the south west.

Places to Go Lizzie H