Picture it now; outside, the snow is lightly falling on the gables of your cottage, lights twinkle from around the roaring fireplace, music plays softly in the background and a curated selection of presents are wrapped so perfectly under the tree, the image could be used in a Pinterest advert. You are sat, legs entwined in a soft blanket, an incredibly attractive person strokes your hair, a glass of your favourite drink perched in your hand. It is Christmas. You are not at home. Nobody knows where you are. It is quiet, it is peaceful. Here’s our round-up of cottages for Christmas if you want to spend your festive season in a romantic comedy movie (incredibly attractive person not included). Here at Plum Guide, we love nothing more than doing the hard work for you, so we’ve headed out into the <s>not so</s> wilderness and found the most sumptuous places to hole up in London, Edinburgh, The Cotswolds and beyond. We would say ‘Merry Christmas’ but you’re probably booking in August, so we won’t.
Old Town, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle in Winter
Narrow, cobbled streets, bright lights twinkling from every shop front, Old Town feels festive most of the time, and it really gets ramped up at Christmas. The biggest of Scrooges will be able to find some cheer here. Shop the perfect gift on the Royal Mile, select your festive toast from one of the many (we mean many - they know they’re on to a good thing here) specialist whisky shops and pick your new favourite decoration from the Christmas shop itself; The Nutcracker.
Adam's Cobbles, Plum Guide home in Edinburgh
Bloomsbury, London
The historic area of Bloomsbury is noted in the Doomsday Book as ‘wood for 100 pigs’. Since that sacred time, an ideal mix of dinner party guests have lived there; Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Bob Marley and...Ricky Gervais. The greenery of Russell Square and the Victorian and Edwardian buildings dotted around the place make this a pretty spot to hole up in a Christmas cottage. It’s a stones throw from all the presents you’ll ever need to buy at Oxford Circus.
Light Up London, Plum Guide home in London
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a popular choice for those seeking cottages for Christmas in the UK. Sandstone cottages line the streets, rolling hills of quintessential English countryside and cosy pubs with roaring fires come as standard in the Cotswolds. Many flock to the area over the festive period for the picture-postcard scenery and Christmas markets that pop up quicker than you can say tacky tinsel ‘mulled cider’. Explore the ancient abbey of Tewkesbury, shop the independents in nearby Oxford or stay inside your cottage and pretend nobody else exists.
Vale Of Roses, Plum Guide home in the Cotswolds
Chelsea, London
Typical London Mews Cottages
No, darling, it is not over. Chelsea's Sloane Square is bedecked in lights, carol singers provide the perfect soundtrack and boutiques feed you mince pies whilst you browse for your aunt’s candlestick holders (she’ll love them, don’t worry). The Chelsea Physic Garden hosts an annual Christmas Fair bringing together unique gifts with a botanical twist if you decide against the candelabra this year. If you’re looking for the perfect cottage to spend yuletide; we’ve got you.
Tiger Lily, Plum Guide home in London
Dorset
Beaches are so much nicer when it's really cold and the ice cream shops are shut. Discuss. Pros to a winter seaside holiday? Beautiful landscapes, sea-view cottages, clear dark skies perfect for gazing upwards and the crowds are approximately 0.9% (we’ve done scientific research here) of those present in summer months. Dorset is more than its beaches regardless, with a host of estates, gardens and villages to explore. Deciding from the many available cottages for Christmas here will be the hard part.
Storybook Tale, Plum Guide home in Dorset
Suffolk
If your favourite part of Christmas is spending time with loved ones the eating, head to the foodie haven of Suffolk. Award-winning wines from Flint Vineyard, delicious rounds of Suffolk Gold cheese and delectable seafood and smoked fish can make up your Christmas cottage’s table. Delivery of a local, organic meat and vegetable box should ensure you don’t just eat ferrero rocher for the entire season. If cooking isn’t your thing, the county is home to fantastic restaurants celebrating the rich ingredients from the area.
To The Ferry, Plum Guide home in Suffolk, UK
Mayfair, London
Carnaby Street, Mayfair, London
Winter Wonderland, Leicester Square’s Christmas market and theatres, Carnaby Street and Oxford and Regent Street - that’s a festive London to-do list right there. Mayfair is a hop, skip and a jump from all the hotspots you want and it’s pretty to boot. Saville Row and Bond Street are your neighbours and you’ll find a cluster of independent boutiques at Shepherd Market. High-end bars and gourmet restaurants are ten-a-penny so you won’t struggle to find something that tickles you.
Midnight Dragon, Plum Guide home in London
Cornwall
It’s easy to appreciate the dramatic coastlines and beautiful countryside in Cornwall. Take mind-clearing walks from the front door of your cottage or immerse yourself into an array of Christmas markets, light installations and carol services held throughout the season. The brave can partake in the local tradition of a Boxing Day Dip where hundreds of hardy Cornishfolk head into the sea with only the promise of a hot brandy afterwards to keep them going. Swimmers head to the icy depths wearing swimwear and obligatory Santa hats. A joy (for the witnesses at least).
Sleepy Ducks, Plum Guide home in Cornwall, UK
