Luxury festive breaks

It's a time for togetherness, the most wonderful time of the year as the song goes. With your own home covered in tape and wrap, head to a luxury country house to enjoy a Christmas to remember. Gorgeously decorated in anticipation, our luxury Christmas holiday cottages are awaiting your arrival; all that's left to do is unpack the car, set the presents under the twinkling tree and uncork the fizz. The supermarket order will be along in a short while with further provisions, and the children are already exploring the far reaches of all the rooms. Little ones tucked up in bed, chink glasses to the most relaxing Christmas and New Year ever.

Just the two of you? Couples wishing to hide out for the festive season can hole up in a romantic retreat, escaping to a luxury self-catering bolthole with no arguments about whose parents are hosting lunch. Stir from festive dreams at your leisure, sink into a rolltop or hot tub, then indulge in a simple Christmas lunch before setting out on a romantic walk along the coastline, greeting other festive ramblers with a cheery 'hello'. Maybe just a short walk though: back at your luxury festive retreat there's mulled wine to sip and old classics to watch by the fire. Staying in is the new going out this season.