What will you pick from our bulging Santa’s sack of seasonal getaways?
Everybody loves a present at Christmas time. Yet rushing around the tinsel-decked shops whilst laden down with heavy bags, before conductingfrantic online searches for the latest toy to sell out all over the country can feel a little stressful to say the least!
Here at Host Unusual, we enjoy giving just as much as receiving festive gifts – which is why we’ve prepared a veritable Santa’s sack full of unique seasonal getaways for you to select from.
Escape all the Christmas madness back home for a while, in a secluded art deco-styled control tower, unleash festive creativity on the Isle ofWight, indulge in windswept Serengeti-inspired seasonality, or maybe even enjoy an Aussie-style Christmas with a sizzling beach barbecue!
Which one will you choose?
What could be better than spending Christmas Day next to a crackling fire, complete with a sumptuous cheeseboard and plenty of mulled wine?
You’ll find The Control Tower,a lovingly restored former RAF tower set on a North Norfolk airfield, adorned with cosy vintage style and brimming with historical detail. In short, it’s the ideal setting for a blissful Christmas break.
With an exclusive three-night package that will see you arriving on Christmas Eve to a warming welcoming committee of mulled wine (or tea ifyou prefer!) and mince pies beside the fire and traditional Christmas tree, you’ll even wake up to a gift on Christmas morning.
Enjoy a hearty festive dinner at the nearby Black Lion in Walsingham – with transport provided – and then if you’ve got room, indulge in cheeses, local chutneys and vegan pate by the fireside later on!
Before you leave on 27th December, while away time with the other guestsplaying traditional board games in the lounge, or simply curl up in your opulent ensuite room and while away your festive hours in comfort.
Everybody knows that the best things come in small packages! With Tiny Homes Holidays,newly-launched on the Isle of Wight, you can enjoy a gift-wrapped package of festive enjoyment amongst the clean air and amazing natural scenery the area is well-known for.
A Tiny Home equals simpler, eco-friendly living that focuses on wellnessand sustainability, ideal if you’d like to escape all the excesses thatChristmas entails and breathe easily in the slow lane of life for a while!
Take a festive walk along the red squirrel-strewn trails, and then indulge your creative side with Tiny Homes’ ‘Making Christmas’ crafting sessions. As if that wasn’t enough, stay for three nights in December and you can select a hand-crafted wooden reindeer (above) to take home with you, too!
Fancy Christmas on the beach this year? Bournemouth Beach Lodges,set just a pebble skim from seven miles of beautiful beach, may seem anunlikely destination for your winter wonderland, yet by the time you’vearrived at your festively-decorated Lodge, you’ll be fully converted toa seasonal break on the sand.
Each cosy Lodge sleeps up to six people and one well-behaved dog, makingthem the ideal setting for a whole-family escape. Enjoy soothing views out to the Isle of Wight, or even Cherbourg on a good day – what a way to wake up on Christmas morning, armed with a mug of fresh coffee!
Spend 22nd – 29th December in a Lodge for just £475, with plenty to do and see all around you. There are many places to choose from for Christmas dinner…or now that we’ve whetted your appetite, how about that sizzling barbie on the beach?
Running away to join the circus may seem an extra-appealing option at this hectic time of year. Dolly the Circus Wagon,a fun and creatively-restored 1940s circus wagon secluded in lush greengrounds near Cardigan Bay, is the perfect escape from Christmas-inspired stress.
Available to rent during the Christmas period, you’ll find self-contained Dolly a refreshing alternative to traditional country house breaks, with its imaginative and cosy interior, secluded tranquility and acres of stunning land to discover for those who enjoy aChristmassy ramble. Just don’t forget your top hat!
Especially for lovers of the Great Outdoors, award-winning Concierge Campingdiscovered on Ratham Estate in stunning West Sussex countryside, bringsyou all the exotic, windswept luxury of the Serengeti this Christmas.
With countryside lying in one direction and sandy beaches in the other, your self-contained and cosy African safari lodge is the perfect settingfor exploration, beautifully set by a babbling stream and endless birdsong.
Not that you’ll want to venture out all that often over Christmas! Your pinewood-scented, timber-and-canvas Lodge comes complete with vibrant décor, a lavish sofa and state-of-the-art fixtures that include warming underfloor heating…plus a range cooker that’s perfect for preparing a Christmas feast.
Fancy a spot of ‘glamvanning’ this Christmas time? Exquisitely quirky Roulotte Retreat,found in the wildflower-strewn natural setting of the bracing Scottish Borders, is the ideal place for a reviving seasonal break set amongst palatial luxury, creative rediscovery and thriving wildlife.
Comprising a circle of individually-styled roulottes – delicately hand-crafted French Romany wooden caravans made from sustainable timber -you can luxuriate in seclusion and sensory indulgence alike. The roulottes mostly sleep two people, making them ideal for a romantic retreat away from seasonal madness, and each one is lovingly furnished in lively colours and hand-crafted carvings.
Enjoy the run-up to Christmas surrounded by luxury both inside and out of your roulotte – and for something a little different, how about experiencing a traditional Scottish Hogmanay with a rousing roulotte retreat?
If the idea of a wild Cornish Christmas to remember appeals to you, then head down to the epic Kudhva near beautiful Tintagel.
This incredible wild camping experience only opened earlier this year, but is already causing quite a stir. The 45-acre site – set on an abandoned slate quarry – is open from 21st – 28th December, so guests can experience a stay in a unique fully insulated Kudhva in truly festive fashion.
Indulge in plenty of refreshing walks with stunning coastal views and wilderness to explore, then open gifts by candlelight in your cosy Kudhva and perhaps order a bespoke Christmas hamper complete with campfire recipes! For an extra indulgent treat, book a session in the toasty hot tub and then head on over to the communal area to enjoy Christmas tunes on the wind-up gramophone and some delicious mulled winefrom the cauldron.
We return to the Isle of Wight’s northern coast for our final pick – versatile Into the Woods, which as its name suggests, offers an intoxicating blend of woodland adventure, fun and romance all rolled into one!
With its enchanting wood, slate and stone-constructed Treehouse (above) and Shepherd’s Hut accommodation focused on privacy and comfort, and equipped with eco-friendliness at the forefront, you’ll be accompanied on your break by plenty of friendly farm animals and local wildlife – a refreshing alternative to an over-heated dining room full of distant relatives.
Relax and enjoy your festively-decorated holiday hideaway, with plenty of books, games and goodies to claim your attention, and special Christmastime offers to tempt you away from weary present-wrapping this year.
We hope we’ve been able to tempt you into indulging yourself with a much-needed break this festive season…after all, it only comes round once a year!
Whatever the month or whatever the occasion, Host Unusual’s hand-picked categories are bound to house something that’s perfect for you.
Oh…and in the meantime, wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Above: Cosy fireplace at Into the Woods
