Book yourself a Farm Stay Family Christmas
05 November 2021
Families are relishing the opportunity to spend Christmas together again after the cancellation of last year’s festive get togethers due to Covid-19. So this year should be a Christmas to remember, for all sorts of reasons, but why not make it even more memorable by booking a Farm Stay festive break for your extended family to enjoy together?
The great thing about booking a home away from home is that you can find somewhere where you can all comfortably stay together – either under one roof or in neighbouring holiday cottages. Everyone will love waking up in the country with beautiful views to look out at on Christmas morning. And children will be excited about staying somewhere new, especially if it has a real fire with a chimney for Santa to come down! Just imagine a picture-perfect post-Christmas dinner stroll with opportunities for a longer Boxing Day walk striding out in the local countryside.
There’s a Farm Stay for everyone however large your family or group of friends. Equally, if you and your partner fancy slipping away for a quiet Christmas with just the two of you, there are plenty of cosy cottages to choose from, as well as numerous glamping options too. A break in the country is the ideal opportunity to switch off together and unwind in a rural bolthole to see the New Year in in style!
Here’s a selection of Farm Stay properties with availability at Christmas and New Year (at the time of writing) to give you some inspiration.
Home Farm Cottages near Holt, North Norfolk has 19 beautiful properties on the North Norfolk Coast – these two are available at Christmas…
Fleet Cottage is a barn conversion on the main Home Farm site. It sleeps 4 to 5 guests, plus a cot. It is ideal for all generations; good for young families and those with mobility issues or who struggle with stairs as all of the accommodation is on one floor. There’s a large king-sized bedroom with extra single bed, and a twin bedroom, a large bathroom and a separate shower with a low threshold and a bath. The fully fitted kitchen has a fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, and the lounge diner has a woodburner to keep you toasty warm.
Narroogal is a detached flint and brick house with three bedrooms and can sleep up to 7 guests. It’s also ideal if some guests find stairs difficult as it has a ground floor bedroom and walk in shower and w/c. Upstairs is a double bedroom with TV, a triple bedroom and the main bathroom with shower over the bath. On the ground floor, there’s a fully fitted kitchen with small bar stools and table (so the family can keep the chef entertained!) while the lounge diner has woodburner.
Home Farm nestles between heath and the coast on the edge of the village of Weybourne. Guests have use of an indoor heated pool, games room, play area, tractor ride on area, mini gym, laundry and onsite Beauty Room. The cottages are both within easy walking distance of a village pub, shop, tea room, churches and beach. The North Norfolk steam railway is nearby, perfect for a festive train ride!
Orroland Holiday Cottages Kirkcudbrightshire in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Cutlar’s Lodge is a two-storey detached stone-built cottage with lots of character. It sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms (one on the ground floor) and has one bathroom. There’s a warming open fire (logs are supplied) and central heating. To keep you entertained there’s a games room with pool table and table tennis, plus, of course the TV/DVD. The family dogs are welcome too for an extra fee of £25 each (maximum of three).
Cutlar’s Lodge is one of two cottages set in idyllic coastal farmland with panoramic sea views. Orroland is set apart from the hustle and bustle of busy roads and street lights, yet the nearby towns of Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie are just 15 to 20 minutes away by car.
The enclosed garden offers safe freedom for children and dogs, with stunning views and peace and quiet, and plenty of wildlife to spot from the doorstep. It’s a popular location for both families and couples.
Broad Ecton, Hartington, Peak District
Swaledale Cottage is a characterful two bedroomed cottage in a converted hay barn sleeping a maximum of 6. On the ground floor there’s a spacious open plan kitchen, dining and living area, ideal for families at Christmas. Upstairs there’s a large family room with a super king size bed (which can be converted to two singles) and two single beds. The second bedroom contains a king size bed. There’s a bathroom with a bath/shower as well as a separate large wet room.
How about a hot tub session on Christmas morning? Guests at Swaledale cottage have exclusive use of a 6 seater spa hot tub!
Broad Ecton is a traditional farm located in a particularly beautiful part of the Peak District National Park. It’s in the ideal spot for wintry long walks with a pub as your destination –there are at least six pubs within an hour’s walk. The Manifold, Tissington, High Peak and Monsal cycling trails are close by if you fancy taking your bikes. And, if you’re up for a bit of excitement and a festive day out, Alton Towers is just 30 minutes’ drive away.
Croft Farm has a collection of award-winning dog friendly cottages near to Cardigan Bay on the Pembrokeshire coast.
The Stable is a luxury detached child-friendly cottage converted from a traditional Welsh barn. It has two bedrooms and sleeps 4 plus a cot, so it’s an ideal destination for young families.
All rooms in this cosy, coastal-themed, detached cottage are on the ground floor. There’s an open plan layout and a traditional log burner to add special warmth on winter evenings.
The main bedroom has a double bed and the second bedroom has full-sized single bunk beds. The family bathroom has an over-the-bath shower. Baby items such as travel cots, high chairs, bed guards, toddler steps and more are available to hire free of charge on request.
The Farmhouse is a wing of a traditional old farmhouse with three bedrooms so it can sleep 6 plus a cot, making it the perfect location for families and friends. There’s a log burning stove with oak inglenook in the sitting room, ideal for hanging Christmas stockings, and the fully equipped kitchen has a feature inglenook and dining area. Two bedrooms are on the ground floor (a twin bedroom and a bedroom with full-size single bunk beds) with a modern shower room. The master bedroom on the first floor has an en suite bathroom and over bath shower.
Facilities onsite include an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, and children’s play areas. Walks along nearby sandy beaches and pebbly bays, the nearest less than five miles away, will help burn off the excess festive calories. And, as this part of Wales is in a Dark Sky area, do take time for some sky gazing on your break.