Category Archives: New Year 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.

 

Beat the January Blues

January cottage breaks

The better our Christmas and New Year celebrations are, the harder we fall for the January blues.

New Year it might be, but everything takes on a slightly bleaker look.  It’s not surprising really, one minute you are surrounded by family and friends, eat and drinking to excess and in general having a great time, the next you are confronted by an empty home devoid of decorations with the winter weather ding its utmost to put you off putting a foot outside.

So, if that is how your January usually pans out and you want a change, then it’s time to get something in the diary that will cheer you up through those first few cold days.

Now when it comes to something positive to look forward to what can be better than a holiday or short break?  Now, agreed, it can be chilly in January but that certainly doesn’t mean all the fun has to stop.  In fact, there is something more romantic about cuddling up in front of an open fire or sharing a hot tub with someone special and where better to do that than a luxury apartment, cottage or log cabin?  Or how about a family January get-away on the British coast or in the countryside to blow away those New Year cobwebs.

If you are wondering where to head, well the countryside and coastal regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all offer dramatic and beautiful scenery that is worth exploring.  However, it’s also a great time to go to some of those hugely popular holiday destinations in the UK and Ireland because you get the chance to explore without so many tourists!

So how about Cornwall, Devon and the Cotswolds in the South West, the Lake District in the North West, Yorkshire Dales and Peak District in the North, the New Forest in the south east, Northumberland in the North East, Norfolk Broads in the east, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia in Wales and the Highlands and Cairngorms in Scotland… to name but a few.

Or is that too much choice?  Take a look at our selection of January cottages and apartments for some more ideas.

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