HOUSES WITH CHARACTER Cosy holiday rentals

FESTIVE ESCAPES

Cosy up for the ultimate English Christmas in a wonderful holiday escape

1CHRISTMAS IN THE COTSWOLDS

Gulliver’s Hall, Bisley, Gloucestershire

Gather friends and family for a Christmas celebration in a large country house located in the Cotswolds. Set across acres of Gloucestershire farmland, Gulliver’s Hall blends history with the latest home comforts, from the stained-glass windows bearing the owner’s family crest and carved four-poster bed in the main bedroom, to the cinema room and outdoor hot tub. The main house sleeps 15, with a further three bedrooms in the pool house to accommodate any overflow of guests. On Christmas Day, sing carols around the grand piano, deck the dining table (once a colossal oak on the property) and open presents by a roaring fire in the boldly decorated drawing room. For those needing to blow away the cobwebs, the bucolic grounds lend themselves to winter afternoon walks. Sleeps 21. A week, from £7,550; short break, from £5,995. uniquehomestays.com

2CAPITAL SPLENDOUR

Marylebone House, London

Step back in time at Marylebone House, a beautifully restored Regency townhouse in the heart of London. Once owned by Jane Austen’s brother, Henry, the property has reimagined the Georgian way of life with 21st-century sophistication. Each of the seven en-suite bedrooms is inspired by an Austen family member, with sumptuous four-poster beds, antiques and discreetly placed mod-cons such as coffee machines and flatscreen televisions. A candlelit dinner in Monsieur Halavant’s Pantry – named after Henry Austen’s French chef – makes for a wonderfully atmospheric festive celebration, whilst the carriage-style snug is the perfect setting for a cosy cocktail. The many attractions that transform London at this time of year are conveniently nearby, from the glittering lights of Oxford Street to ice skating in Hyde Park. Sleeps 14. Short breaks from £9,900. thewowhousecompany.com

3RURAL RETREAT

Bird How, Holmrook, Cumbria

Nestled on a fellside off a beaten farm track in the Lake District, it would be hard to find a more remote retreat to get away from any festive frenzy than Bird How. The stone cottage is in splendid isolation, with no phone or television signal, only the distraction of the occasional visiting sheep and views of the Eskdale Valley. Walk off any hearty Christmas fare by exploring the many hiking routes from the doorstep, including the steepest road in England, Hardknott Pass, which has a Roman fort near the top. After a day’s excursion into the countryside, snuggle up by the open fire with a board game or book for an evening’s entertainment. The cottage has two bedrooms, a dining/living room and a simple kitchen. Sleeps four. From £214 per night for a minimum two-night stay in December. nationaltrust.org.uk

4COASTAL GETAWAY

Carthew Barn, Wadebridge, Cornwall

With its charming villages, coastal paths and beautiful bays, North Cornwall makes the perfect escape for a festive break. Situated on the Camel Estuary, Carthew Barn is a stylish stone hideaway with a woodburner in the main living area. Wrap up warm for a bracing Christmas Day walk on the Camel Trail to Padstow, stroll around the harbour town famous for its seafood dining, before heading back to the property to the relax by the fire. Surrounded by private woodland and overlooking the river, the stay has no shortage of dreamy wintry vistas – whether from one of the luxurious bedrooms, a window seat in the sitting room, or the dining table whilst enjoying a celebratory meal. Sleeps six. A seven-night Christmas break from 23–30 December is £2,983. classic.co.uk n