cottages4you blog: inspiration for your cottage or villa holiday in UK, Ireland and Europe

We’ve always been fans of Christmas charts at cottages4you. Whether it’s a countdown of the most popular gifts, or waiting to see if Cliff Richard was once again going to rule/ruin Christmas with another festive ballad – there’s something about this time of year that goes well with a numerical rundown.

So we’ve decided to get in on the act and present our own chart, looking at the most popular regions – in terms of volumes of sales – for Christmas and New Year holiday breaks in the UK. Unlike other festive charts there’s plenty of variety, a few surprises and not one mention of Mistletoe and Wine.

We still have some availability for Christmas and New Year breaks so if this article inspires you feel free to search our website or give us a call on 0845 268 0760 to discuss flexible arrival dates.

The Top 5 Christmas Destinations

North Norfolk Coast

The famed Norfolk Broads need little introduction: a stunning network of lakes and rivers that are a pleasure to explore; they are perhaps the region’s biggest draw. But if the Broads is better suited to a summer exploration then the North Norfolk Coast is undoubtedly a lovely place to spend Christmas. Not only does the region offers beautiful beaches, long stretches of wild coastline and eye-watering vistas as far as the eye can see (literally, in most cases), but it also boasts a beautifully preserved heritage, comprised of stunning Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture that really comes to life with festive loveliness at Christmas.

Cotswolds

For many, Christmas in the Cotswolds is the festive idyll, so it’s perhaps not surprising that so many of you are already planning to spend the festive period there. We can just see you now, looking out over gentle patchwork hills from the comfort of your holiday cottage – which will be located in the cutest limestone village, of course. We only have one further thing to add: Could we come too?

Dorset

Not only a component to one of the worst jokes centred on a UK region in existence (if you’ve heard it, you’ll agree, if not, trust us!), Dorset also boasts enough natural and man-made charms to guarantee a place on our festive top 5. One thing Dorset does well is choice: there’s the spectacular Jurassic Coastline to explore, a wealth of beautiful beaches and, further inland, the mature woodland and rolling hills of rural Dorset.

Hereford, Worcester and Wyevly

This one’s a 3 for the price of one, due to the fact we group these locations together. And despite the close proximity to each other they all have something unique to offer – which is great news if you’re lucky enough to have booked a break there! A well-preserved medieval city, Hereford is awash with festive atmosphere at this time of the year. Similarly Worcester’s Tudor buildings and gothic spires help to convey an enjoyable ‘Christmas past’ feeling, but if you fancy something a bit more rural then the Wye Valley looks incredible even without a light frosting of festive snow.

Peak District

Britain’s first National Park also offers variety in spades. There’s an abundance of active pursuits like hiking through the Peak Forest, cycling across the Dark Peak, horse riding down the Longden trail. You could scale the Heights of Abraham and get a commanding view of your surroundings, or you could settle in for the night in one of the local alehouses next to a warm fire with the welcome company of your loved ones. The Peak District is also easily accessible from Manchester and Sheffield along with various other counties so you can be back home in no time at all.

The Top 5 New Year Destinations

Lake District

While plenty of people are still flocking to cities to see in the New Year, we’re seeing a trend of others wanting to get away from it all and enjoy the advent of 2012 in relative seclusion. It’s hardly surprising that people are choosing the Lake District for the latter; after all it has more than enough stunning locations to stretch your legs, fantastic restaurants and lovely little pubs to make a celebration that you’ll never forget – or remember, depending on how much you get into the New Year spirit!

Yorkshire Coast

In many ways the Yorkshire Coast offers the best of both worlds. Like the Lakes it has an almost embarrassing amount of beautiful locations to explore and enjoy, but if you fancy a more vibrant celebration of New Year then you really need look no further than the seaside resorts of Scarborough and Whitby. To use a well worn cliché, it really does have something for everyone.

Norfolk

Still popular well into New Year, it seems many customers just don’t want to leave their holiday cottage in Norfolk and who could blame them?

Cotswolds

The running popularity of the Cotswolds is a strong testament to its many charms. It’s a perennially popular destination so we can’t see it losing its place on the chart in the near future.

Dorset

We may have little to add to our write-up of Dorset but don’t worry, even though it’s approaching Christmas, we won’t be telling any terrible jokes based on its name – we’ll save that for the dinner table!

Cheer up Charlie!

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

If you wanted proof that Charles Dickens is one of our most celebrated writers then you need look no further than the amount of coverage his 200^th birthday is receiving – several months before the event!

If you want to explore the writer then you need look no further than Oliver Twist, Bleak House, David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol etc. However, if you want to know the man, then where better to start then his birthplace…

Charles Dickens was born in a modest house in Portsmouth in 1812, where he lived for the first three years of his life. The house now stands as a museum to the writer with its 19^th century interior now faithfully restored. You can explore three furnished rooms in the house: the parlour, the dining room and the bedroom where Charles was born. On the first Sunday of each month (until September), you can visit and hear a reading by the Dickens’ Fellowship from a selection of some of the writer’s works.

The Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum is only open until the beginning of October, so if you want to pay a visit before Charles turns 200, you’d better be quick!

When the Queen's away...

The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is arguably the most stunning regal residence in the world. However, for millions of visitors who flock there each year it remains an untouchable monument to stand in front of and take pictures. But get there before the 4 October and you can see more of the workings of the palace – not to mention a few welcome surprises – by taking a tour of the State Rooms.

The State Rooms are where HRH does most of her entertaining when she’s in residence. But as she’s still enjoying her holidays in Scotland, you can have a nosey in her absence! Expect to see a wonderful array of items, including paintings by ‘Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture.’

There’s also a ‘Royal Fabergé’ exhibition and the chance to get a close look at The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Both exhibitions close with the palace on 3 October!

Do you know of any events in the UK that are closing soon? Leave a comment below and let us know your last chance to see suggestions!

If you’re one of those people whose celebration of St Patrick’s Day starts in the pub and ends with a headache, you may want to look at a different way to celebrate Ireland – if only to make Friday morning more bearable! So we’ve decided to highlight some of our favourite Irish attractions.

We’ve tried to avoid the usual tourist fare, but then again, some of these locations are so fantastic, it’s hard to keep them a secret!

Do you have a favourite thing to see and do in Ireland? Let us know in the comments section.

• Set on the River Corrib, Galway is one of Ireland’s most scenic cities and one of the best ways to gain an appreciation is by taking a trip on the ‘Corrib Princess’. A purpose built leisure cruiser, the Princess’ sightseeing tour lasts for 90 minutes and provides one of the most tranquil and enjoyable ways to appreciate Galway. If you fancy making the occasion that much more special, the vessel is also available for private charters.

• Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry is a great opportunity to discover Ireland’s beauty. Here you’ll find the McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, along with the expansive lakes of Killarney. As well as experiencing some of Ireland’s unspoilt wildlife and beauty, you can also pay a visit to Muckross House and Gardens, perhaps the world’s best-located historic mansion.

• The Temple Bar region of Dublin is one of the most colorful and celebrated parts of Ireland’s capital. Set on the south bank of the River Liffey, the area boasts cobbled medieval streets and a wealth of cultural attractions. It also offers some fairly lively nightlife if you have the energy! Visit by day you’ll find plenty of market stalls, independent shops and charming cafes to spend your time and money on. (Read more about Dublin in our recent ‘101 Places to Go’ feature).

• Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) neat Cork is a fantastic destination for those looking for a charming Irish idyll to explore. One of the best ways to gain an appreciation of this beautiful harbour town is to take a boat out. There you’ll get a true appreciation for the brightly painted houses and St. Colman’s Cathedral’s stunning neo-gothic façade.