The festive season is almost here and what better way to celebrate than exploring some of the UK’s most beloved Christmas markets to pick up gifts and enjoy a mulled wine alongside some festive foodie favourites?
With over a third of Brits (44%) preferring to take shorter, more frequent breaks, Sykes Holiday Cottages has rounded up five staycation spots near some of the country’s most popular Christmas markets.
Whether it’s a charming cottage in Sussex or a barn conversion in Oxfordshire, there’s something to get everyone into the holiday spirit.
To book a break with Sykes, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk, call 01244 617 683, or download the new Sykes Holiday Cottages app.
- Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
West Barn – Tackley, Oxfordshire – Sleeps: Two – Price: Seven nights from £481
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Cotswolds-Oxfordshire-Fox-Hill/West-Barn-988598.html
Ideal for a romantic Christmas retreat, this cosy barn conversion in the village of Tackley, Oxfordshire, offers couples an enchanting getaway just minutes from the festive magic at Blenheim Palace.
Here, visitors will find markets selling seasonal food, drink, and gifts as well as an ice rink and light trail. Back at West Barn, couples can unwind with a Christmas film on the Smart TV before curling up for a good nights’ sleep in the super king-sized bed.
To fill up their festive itinerary, holidaymakers can also visit the stately home of Rousham Hall or head to Oxford city centre and Bicester Village for some Christmas shopping.
- Holkham Hall, Norfolk
Crab Corner – Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk – Sleeps: Four – Price: Seven nights from £612
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Norfolk-Wells-Next-The-Sea/Crab-Corner-1141716.html
With free entry and over 60 stalls selling everything from homemade pies to jewellery, the Christmas markets at Holkham Hall, Norfolk, are a festive experience not to be missed.
For a place to rest your head, Crab Corner offers a comfortable holiday retreat in the picturesque town of Wells-next-the-Sea. Guests can bring their four-legged friends for a stroll along the nearby beach before returning for a hearty meal cooked in the well-equipped kitchen.
For another memorable day out, there’s the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway and Holt-Sheringham steam train alongside quaint towns and villages like Stiffkey, Blakeney, and Weybourne.
- Petworth House, West Sussex
Hungers Cottage – Petworth, Sussex – Sleeps: Four – Price: Seven nights from £884
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Sussex-Byworth/Hungers-Cottage-1125605.html
Petworth House in West Sussex transforms into a festive wonderland at Christmas, with rooms of the country house dressed for the season while choirs sing carols. A Christmas market will also be held on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December.
For those wanting to immerse themselves in the Christmas charm, Hungers Cottage is less than a 30-minute walk from Petworth House. This barn conversion has exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, and sleeps four, making it ideal for a small family or group of friends.
Nestled in a rural location, Hungers Cottage is surrounded by rolling countryside which is home to the cottage owner’s goats. For a bite to eat, there are several pubs nearby and Petworth itself has a wealth of eateries.
- Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Llyn Noddfa –Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire – Sleeps: Eight – Price: Seven nights from £819
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/South-Wales-Pembrokeshire-Penhill/Llyn-Noddfa-1086752.html
The National Trust’s Dinefwr Estate, renowned for its 17th-century manor house and historic castle ruins, transforms into a festive wonderland for its annual Christmas Fair on November 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. This event is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season, with handcrafted gifts, artisanal foods, and unique festive treats.
Llyn Noddfa is a cosy, dog-friendly barn conversion near the quaint town of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire. Complete with a heated outdoor pool and an enclosed patio, it’s an ideal retreat for both relaxation and adventure.
Those looking to explore the area can venture further afield to find the coast at Llansteffan or head north to experience the beaches overlooking Cardigan Bay, where dolphins are often spotted.
- Chatsworth House, Bakewell
The Aubrey – Bakewell, Derbyshire – Sleeps: Six – Price: Seven nights from £669
Running from 9th November until 1st December, Chatsworth House’s Christmas market has over 100 stalls as well as live music and seasonal food. And for the complete Christmas experience, visitors can head to the house, gardens, and farmyard, all of which are decked out for the occasion.
The Aubrey, a three-bedroom property in Bakewell, is a great place to stay to make the most of Christmas at Chatsworth. With luxurious yet cosy interiors, guests can settle down for an evening in, cooking a homemade meal to tuck into at the dining table.
The market town of Bakewell also has lots to explore, including The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, as well as a museum and lots of shops, pubs, and restaurants.
