With Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night over and done with – and the long-awaited John Lewis ad finally gracing our screens! – the countdown to Christmas 2026 is officially on.
This is the time when dark evenings come alive with twinkling lights and cheerful crowds; when humdrum streets transform into dazzling winter wonderlands. Festive joy is addictive, and there’s something magical about wandering through Christmassy light trails, wrapped up warm against the cold night air. Or browsing lively, mulled wine-scented seasonal markets, in search of the perfect gifts.
Of course, pairing these amazing experiences with an unusual place to stay is the icing on the Christmas cake! So, we asked our lovely retreat owners to recommend the best yuletide events near them, for a list filled with festive wonder.
Each event can be reached within a 30-minute drive of the retreat in question, and each retreat is currently available to be booked for your visit (though we can’t guarantee how long they’ll stay available for, so if you’re interested, be quick!).
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Beirhope Alpacas, close to The House in the Hill | Scottish Borders
Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland
A luxurious off-grid retreat surrounded by tranquil nature, with a roof terrace and a wood-fired hot tub for stargazing, built into a scenic hillside on a Scottish Borders family farm.
Combine your luxury escape with a unique experience at Santa's Beirhope Christmas Star Adventure. Just five minutes along the road from our off-grid retreat, you'll set out on an adventure filled with alpacas, animals and festive fun for all ages.
Barnstaple, Devon, England
A sustainable sanctuary nestled amongst woodland and meadow on the scenic edge of Exmoor National Park, with the sweeping North Devon coast practically on the doorstep.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 per tipi
RHS Rosemoor marks a decade of Glow with new light installations and a brand-new route through the garden rooms, from 27th November to 30th December. There’s even a silent disco among the illuminations on 11th and 12th December, for those who want to make a night of it!
St Germans, Cornwall, England
View the best of Cornwall's unspoilt countryside from the window of your very own eco-friendly, lovingly restored railway carriage at Railholiday.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-6
St Germans is a hub for Christmas magic, from the artisan Christmas Market and carol services in the atmospheric Priory to Dickensian Christmas talks and candlelit tunnel tours in the stately home of Port Eliot, with live music every weekend at the Stables Cafe. When you’ve had your fill, head down to the estuary for some peaceful moonlit nature-time.
Williton, Somerset, England
Pack your bags for a special railway adventure at Railway Cottage - a gorgeous Somerset bolt hole built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself!
With amazing Santa Special Festive Dining Trains and Carol Trains passing by The Railway Carriage and Railway Cottage every weekend from 27th November, a pre-Christmas break is sure to be very special.
Stanton-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire, England
Unwind in a luxury safari lodge with its very own hot tub, surrounded by 15 acres of woodland and lush wildflower meadows in rural Nottinghamshire.
Bedrooms: 3 per lodge
Sleeps: 4-6 per lodge
There’s a wealth of magical events near us this Christmas, including Nottingham Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square, and Christmas at Belvoir Castle, with Santa’s Grotto and a Christmas Mice Trail.
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, England
A sumptuous and award-winning trio of converted farm barns, powered by nature and beautifully situated in peaceful Cornish countryside close to Mawgan Porth Beach.
Bedrooms: 2 per cottage
Sleeps: 4
We are just a short drive away from the Eden Project’s fabulous, awe-inspiring festive events, which run from 20th November to 2nd January.
Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Bournemouth Beach Lodges provide the perfect setting for a refreshing coastal break, just a pebble skim away from seven miles of stunningly sandy beach.
Save 20% on a festive break, with Bournemouth's Christmas Market, Festive Trail and Ice Rink all nearby.
Hayle, Cornwall, England
A TV-featured, award-winning vintage railway coach with quirky interiors and ample outdoor space, dog-and-eco-friendly, and peacefully set on the Cornish main line just one stop from the branch line to St. Ives.
Bedrooms: 2 (+1)
Sleeps: 10
Harvey is nestled between the fabulous lights of Newlyn and Mousehole, just a short hop away by bus and train, and the lesser-known but equally impressive Angarrack Christmas lights. The daily evensong at Truro Cathedral, accompanied by their superb choir, is a spiritual experience to savour.
Chichester, West Sussex, England
Ultra-luxurious, dog-friendly hot-tub retreats, beautifully secluded by a wildlife meadow in the picture-perfect South Downs National Park.
Bedrooms: 2 or 3 per unit
Sleeps: 4 or 6 per unit
Catch the epic Christmas Charity Tractor Run, just five mins from your cottage at Oakwood West Holidays, on the evening of Sunday 13th December. All bedecked with Christmas lights, almost 100 tractors trundle along in a parade around our village lanes – a sight to behold!
Newnham, Gloucestershire, England
A private, adults-only sanctuary in the Forest of Dean, steeped in luxury with a covered deck and an al fresco bath for unwinding and reconnecting in sublime nature.
Immerse yourself in the festive season at Gloucester Christmas Market. With over 120 stalls across Gloucester Quays and the historic docks, you can indulge in locally-produced foodie delights and a fabulous range of unique gifts. Open every weekend from 7th November to 20th December, with free entry.
Dereham, Norfolk , England
A peacefully secluded, entirely off-grid haven in rural Norfolk, with welcoming hosts, lovingly hand-crafted vintage horsebox retreats, and abundant wildlife.
Bedrooms: 1 per lorry
Sleeps: 4
We have the Mid Norfolk Railway Polar Express train ride just 10 minutes from our site. A lovely adventure to the North-folk Pole so come and jump aboard! Thursford is only 28 minutes from our site and the capital of Christmas in Norfolk, with the Christmas Spectacular Show, the Enchanted Journey of Light and Santa's Magical Journey.
Matlock, Derbyshire, England
Eco-friendly, accessible, self-catering log cabins, camping pods and a gypsy caravan on a working farm in the Peak District.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
Here you can experience the spectacular Lights of Abraham at nearby Matlock Bath: enjoy a moonlit cable car ride above an avenue of colourful lights, then follow a twinkling trail through glowing woodland, with dazzling displays and festive surprises around every corner. Afterwards, return to your peaceful Hoe Grange hideaway for a cosy night in!
Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Ireland
An eclectic collection of hand-crafted cabins with private hot tubs, bell tents and historic lodges, magically secluded in the vast, idyllic gardens of an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 4
Waterford Winterval is running from 13th November to 23rd December – in the European City of Christmas, no less! – so there’s plenty of festive fun to enjoy before escaping to the beauty and tranquillity of our retreat.
Presteigne, Radnorshire, Wales
Welcome to Wild Meadow - a heavenly spot of orchards and meadows on the English-Welsh border, home to the eco-friendly Meadow Cottage and Shepherd's Hut.
We have availability during the Christmas Market in Ludlow on Sunday 13th December, held in the historic town square which will be brimming with twinkling lights and artisan stalls.
St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland
A romantic, dog-friendly eco-retreat, purpose-built for luxurious back-to-nature living and privately secluded on a vast, ancient Fife estate with sublime views to the coast.
There are lots of family-friendly festive events near our retreat, including St. Andrews’ Ceiling of Light which spans the main streets of the town, making fabulous use of recycled materials like plastic bottles and low-energy LED lights. This runs all throughout December and is free!
Nr Lavenham, Suffolk, England
You'll be swept away to the height of luxury at The Windmill Suffolk - a glorious TV-featured towering bolthole, overlooking idyllic countryside, just two miles north of historic Lavenham.
Beautiful Bury St Edmunds has a big Christmas lights switch-on in mid-November, with a parade, fun fair, performances and gift stalls and festive markets over the following weeks. In fact, there are so many festive activities nearby, and with 10% off all stays between now and Christmas it's an ideal time to visit!
Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
Sumptuous woodland hideaways, privately nestled on a magical Clackmannanshire estate that's teeming with rich heritage and diverse, protected wildlife.
Bedrooms: 1 per bothy
Sleeps: 2 per bothy
Grab your festive dancing shoes for a Scottish ceilidh on 27 Dec! Think village hall, bagpipes and dancing to your heart's content - beginners very welcome - a truly Scottish evening with trad music galore.
Hartland, Devon, England
Step inside a classic mystery novel, in a characterful double decker bus set on the grounds of a North Devon country house.
We have a lovely Christmas market and carols around the tree, as well as the festive events at Clovelly just 10 minutes away.
Lydney, Gloucestershire, England
Whimsical fairytale retreats with wood-fired hot tubs and equine-focused wellness sessions, peacefully secluded on an adults-only site nestled between the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.
Bedrooms: 1 per retreat
Sleeps: 2
Every Friday and Saturday in December, Silver Circle Distillery hosts cosy Winter Chalet Nights featuring a three-course Christmas menu and cocktails. Afterwards, stay on at the bar for Christmas cocktails and music. Arrive any time between 5pm and 7.30pm and your table is yours for the evening, so no need to rush home!
