Category Archives: December Breaks

Perfect base for a family holiday: Aberystwyth, Mid Wales

It may be Halloween, but we don’t want any rights on holiday or a short break, so today’s recommendation is the university town of Aberystwyth.

Lying on the west coast of Wales, it is a thriving metropolis of shops, restaurants, pubs and tea-rooms. This vibrant location also has museums to explore, excellent cinema and is home to the National Library of Wales.

A typically Victorian promenade lines the seafront and the cliff-top ruins of Aberystwyth castle dominate the entire town.  A wealth of attractions are designed to entertain and inspire visitors to explore further afield.

The scenic 20-mile cycle route and footpath on the Ystwyth Trail follows a wonderful woodland and river path and links Aberystwyth to Tregaron.  A trip on the Steam Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge is a great way to visit the falls.

The seaside resort of Borth is seven miles away with three miles of sandy beach and the ‘Animalarium’ to keep all ages amused.

With so many attractions, the castle, Welsh craft centres and stunning countryside to explore, this is a perfect base for a family holiday.

Check out some great Aberystwyth cottage breaks

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Christmas & New Year cottage breaks

Why not do something a little different this year and getaway for a Christmas or New Year break?

Whether you fancy bracing fresh air on the coast or frost-white fields in the countryside a cosy cottage break is the ideal way to celebrate a family Christmas or to party in the New Year.  What better way to get in to the festive spirit than a bit of Christmas shopping in the pretty village stores or just hanging out at a friendly coffee shop and watch everyone else rush around buying their last-minute gifts!

Across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland there are just so many perfect places for a Christmas short break, for a couple, family or large group of friends… so take a look at some great ideas on our Christmas selection

If you are looking for a great place to bring in the New Year then head for one of the our city breaks where you are bound to find some great party celebrations.

 

Enjoy a great value Christmas and New Year holiday cottage for all the family

Eeeek, Christmas is just over 5 weeks away and so time is running out if you fancy booking a family escape for the festive break.

If you are planning ot get-away but are looking for some inspiration, here are a few suggestions in the beautiful and tranquil Suffolk:

The Nutshell at AldeburghThe Nutshell, Aldeburgh 

*4 Star *Sleeps 4 *Situated in the town centre

*Save £102 off the standard brochure rate wc Friday 21st December 2012*
*Save £102 off the standard brochure rate wc Friday 28th December 2012*

Find out more about The Nutshell

Lavender Cottage

*Sleeps 6 *Swimming Pool *High Chair *Cot

15% off your Christmas break departing 27th December 2012

Find out more about Lavender Cottage

Stannard Cottage SouthwoldStannard Cottage, Southwold

*Sleeps 5 *Open fire *Dishwasher *Owner is providing a welcome pack with lots of goodies for the Christmas and New Year weeks.

Find out more about Stannard Cottage

Cherish a big family Christmas with a larger property perfect for all the family.

Poppy’s, Southwold

*Sleeps 8 * 3 bedrooms *Pets allowed *Welcome pack *Dishwasher

Find out more about Poppys

Castle KeepCastle Keep

*Sleeps 8 *4 bedrooms *Pets allowed *Coast view *Welcome pack *High chair *Cot

Find out more about Castle Keep

Rowan Cottage

*Sleeps 8 *4 bedrooms *Open fire *Dishwasher *High chair *Cot

Find out more about Rowan Cottage

Autumn colour at The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire – Perfect for a Cotswold cottage day out

 

During the October school half term we  stayed in a lovely Cotswold cottage and visited Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.  With over 17 miles of forest walks, glorious colour from 16,000 trees (2,500 different species) it is a lovely day out even on a cooler day.

National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays National Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. Find Cottage Holidays

Find out more about the National Arboretum.

Find a Cotswold cottage break

 

Celebrate Hogmanay this New Year in Scotland

Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh

There is nothing quite like the exuberant Hogmanay celebrations each New Year in Scotland.

Tens of thousands take to streets in the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to bring in the New Year with a very Scottish flavour.  A fun evening of celebrations and wonderful food reaches the New Years Eve  climax with the accompaniment of a lone piper, the bells at midnight and the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne (based on the words of famous Scot Robbie Burns).

Each area of Scotland has their own traditions and customs for Hogmanay, although perhaps the best known and most widely continued is that of First Footing.  This is where you hope that the first person crossing your threshold after midnight is a tall dark stranger bearing gifts which will bring you good luck in the year ahead.

You will find Hogmanay celebrations taking place in towns all across Scotland but some of the popular  bigger events can be found in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling.

We think it is a great time to visit Scotland, to fully immerse yourself in the culture, tradition and celebrations, so why not enjoy a cottage or apartment break in Scotland.  We have put some suggestions together for you including close to some of these bigger Hogmanay New Year events.  Cottages for Hogmanay and New Year

 

Christmas Cottages and Festive Breaks

Christmas cottage breaksNow that the weather has turned decidedly chilly and the clocks have gone back, I think it’s safe to give our first mention to the Christmas holidays.

And, while many people like Christmas at home, a lot of people love the opportunity to escape over the festive holiday break.  we can certainly see the appeal, either with or without the extended family, to enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays in a lovely cottage in the country or on the British coast.

A cottage for Christmas can be perfect for couples wanting a quiet retreat but are so perfect for big families all looking to get together in one place that is big enough to take them all.

Let’s be honest, Christmas holidays are not about the rush to see holiday attractions and theme parks, they are much more to do with staying  in with your friends and loved ones – with the occasional walk to get some fresh air and exercise.  Which is why getting away makes such perfect sense and so to help you find a cottage for you this December, Christmas and New Year we have put together a couple of list that you will find useful:

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum returns 2nd November

This has to be one of our family favourites each year, ice skating outside of the beautiful Natural History Museum building in London.

We are not born ice skaters, in fact we barely strap a skate on of any sort during the year, but come November we find ourselves heading to London for an ice skating session on the outdoor temporaryLondons Natural History Museumy rink.  It’s great fun and what better backdrop to your efforts than one of London’s most impressive buildings.

Of course the ice skating is great fun but it also forms part of a fun winters day out. Once the skating is over there is plenty of time to take in the museum, which is absolutely free, or visit some of the other great museums near by – the interactive Science Museum is always popular with children.

Once you are exhausted there are plenty of great places to eat near by or simply travel short distance on the Underground to popular eating places around Covent Garden, Leicester Square and China Town.

More Info

The Natural History Museum Ice Rink, supported by Starbucks, opens next Friday (2nd Nov – 6 Jan) promising a season of fantastic skating.

The first ice rink to open in London

Be among the first to enjoy a magical skate on one of London’s largest ice rinks, and celebrate the launch of Starbucks’ Red Cups with a hot drink in our fabulous café bar, open to skaters and non-skaters alike.

Something for the whole family

Bring friends and family along for a fun active day out. Next to the main rink we have a smaller rink and penguin skate aids for the little ones. And, don’t miss a spin on our beautiful fairground carousel, open throughout the day.

35% Discount on a Southwold Cottage, Suffolk Coast November December Short Breaks

Seaford House, SouthwoldEnjoy a short break on the wonderful Suffolk coast and save a staggering 35% on the cost of a holiday cottage that sleeps 6 and is dog friendly.

It almost sounds too good to be true, but in this case it isn’t.  You can book the lovely Seaford Beach House in Southwold with an incredible 35% OFF the brochure price between the 3-19th November AND the 8-22nd December 2012 (minimum booking of 3 nights).

Seaford House is a large 3 bedroom house that sleeps 6, is family friendly (with cot and high chair available) and is also pet friendly.  It has an enclosed garden with garden furniture and gas barbecue.

Seaford Beach House is a spacious, comfortably furnished detached house situated in a stunning position on the cliff top at Easton Bavants near the pier. It offers sea views from most of its windows and is a stone’s throw away from the beach. It is an ideal retreat from the bustle of Southwold High Street but yet only a fifteen minute walk away. This is an ideal location if you require quiet accommodation with easy parking that is also close to the beach and town centre.

Find out more about Seaford House, check availability and book online

Southwold is a wonderful coastal area in Suffolk that remains largely untouched and unspoilt.  Find out more about Southwold and Suffolk

Seaford House, SouthwoldSeaford House, SouthwoldSeaford House, SouthwoldSeaford House, Southwold

Getting Mixed Signals

It’s been a strange week so far, winter weather conditions one moment, blue skies and sun the next, but it’s clearly not just me that is confused judging by my mail  in-box.

So far I have been offered some great discounts off sunglasses, holiday discounts for October half term and in my local supermarket I was confronted by row upon row of Christmas special offers!

So which ‘urgent’ need should I be addressing first?  The up and coming school half term, our Christmas plans or our 2013 summer holiday!

I don’t know about you, but I am not quite ready to write off 2012 yet, after all it’s only the beginning of October.  And, there are still things to look forward to including Halloween, Bonfire Night (and Fireworks), a number of music festivals and events, and of course the prospect of many cosy nights in. I still see plenty of opportunities for an October short break, a November get-away and a December holiday – but then I am all about the holidays!

Author: Holiday Junkie