Crisper nights, duskier days, and golden leaves crunching underfoot; as the wish-whipped season approaches, it’s time to turn our minds to yuletide cheer. To sequin dresses and Champagne towers, pine-scented trees strung with twinkles, and those we love coming together under one roof to eat, drink, and be merry.
This year’s for going big. Think massive country houses stuffed to the rafters with kith and kin, tables adorned with tapered candles, and nutmeg-scented steam billowing from puddings on the Aga. The houses might be grand, but the purpose is simple — this year, we invite you (to invite them) to sprinkle magic across the land, and rekindle Christmas.
Pearl's Place
This is a place to party like Stevie Nicks, a house fit for a Christmas knees-up that would impress even the most rambunctious guild of gypsy souls. With walls sheathed in reams of Morris & Co wallpaper and ceilings strung with fringe, Pearl’s Place is an interior pick 'n' mix of patterns, where portraits of Albert Einstein sit above zebra print bolster cushions. Take to the gothic windowsills, noses pressed to glass, to seek out the first fall of Somerset snow in this outlandish dollhouse.
The Maker's House
A truly eclectic Essex country bunker, complete with an over-lake bridge and deer-spotting woodlands, The Maker’s House strikes a hard-to-find balance between whimsical fairytale and clubhouse comfort. Descend the spiral staircase to gather in the conservatory, sipping on tumblers of rosemary gin fizz while winter rushes past. On Boxing Day, rush outside for the first instalment of a new yuletide tradition — seeking out the last present hidden in the maze — before warming up with a Christmas leftovers sandwich warmed in the outdoor Aga.
Infinity
Infinity is a home where clifftop cosiness abounds, and Christmas Eve is beckoned in with clotted cream and raspberry jam in front of a roaring fire. The brave will spend their mornings snorkelling in crystal-clear waters before trundling past Gorran Haven’s collection of ancient fishermen’s cottages to pick up the butter for tonight’s supper (don’t forget the winter wetsuits!) On blustery days, when the sea turns tempest, bundle together on marshmallow sofas to watch the judge rule that Kris Kringle is Santa Claus in the first seasonal showing of Miracle on 34th Street.
Viola
If you’re a come-one-come-all group with children and dogs to boot, but still want the feels of Christmas cosy, then this fetching manor near bohemian Glastonbury will be just the ticket. Despite lashings of lake charm and woodburners galore, Viola still knows how to pack a punch: with a movie snug, a panoramic gym, and Formula 1 racing simulators, this home might just be the setting of your most memorable festive getaway yet. With any luck, the first dusting of snow might fall while you picnic with your beau on the lake boat.
Galleon
Whoever said Cornwall was a place for summer never settled here in the depths of winter. With a wraparound conservatory made for secluded storm-watching and Scandinavian interiors that bring hygge by the bucket-load, Galleon whips up visions of a new kind of midnight mass, one spent dipping in the geothermal pool and sneaking mistletoe kisses on the seaward terrace. On Christmas Day, cloaked in wool, wander to Portreath's 'Pepperpot' lighthouse to watch the sunrise and work up an appetite for white chocolate pancakes and the unwrapping of parcels.
Castle Trinity
Not a castle in the air but a castle for Christmas, this is a Yorkshire kingdom where young knights and dames peek through medieval arrowslits for hopeful sightings of their Toymaker in Chief. Pluck yourselves from the backdrop of Castle Trinity's plush fabrics and mulberry tones to wander the 12 acres of sprawling grounds. With a herd of neighbouring deer to delight the little ones in the party, and a gurgling hot tub waiting to thaw garden-going adventurers, this castle has deep pockets with plenty to keep families of all ages amused.
Little Christmas Hideaways
If your idea of a picture-perfect Christmas is more about silent nights than raucous parties, we have a hideaway for you. Whether it’s just the four of you or a romantic yuletide for two, intimate festive getaways are all about matching flannel pyjamas, staying in socks all day, and never missing out on second servings of Yorkshire puddings and gravy. While mornings pass in a fizz of Champagne, croissants, and untying ribbons, evenings are for cheese and biscuits and tv guides perused from the warmth of the hot tub. Our pick of the pack are fairytale thatched cottage The Fable, Scandinavian seaside summerhouse Ukiyo, and remote Irish bolthole Sienna. Or, browse the entire collection of love nests.
Browse our full list of homes with availability over Christmas.
