10 Amazing Holiday Cottages Perfect for New Year's Eve
Whether you’re planning a quiet New Year’s Eve cosying up in front of a fire with the kids tucked up in bed, or a raucous late night celebrating with friends or family in a cottage big enough to house you all – the beautiful West Country makes a great destination for a New Year getaway.
For those looking for a quiet short break over New Year, choose a remote retreat tucked away in a tranquil spot on the coast or moor, surrounded by stunning landscape and miles of pretty walks – perfect for working off the seasonal excesses and inspiring your dreams and goals for the coming year.
For those looking to party during their New Year’s holiday, pick a cottage in a lively seaside town such as Looe in Cornwall, Salcombe in Devon or Lyme Regis in Dorset – where the local pubs will be full of festive cheer and celebratory fireworks will usher in 2018. Looe is particularly famed for its informal street party atmosphere, with streets full of good humoured revellers in fancy dress celebrating the end of the old year and welcoming in the new one.
Another benefit to a New Year’s break by the sea is the opportunity to go for a dip on New Year’s Day! Mad as it might sound, there’s no better way to see off a hangover than running into the freezing January water for a quick splash around, or even an attempt at a swim. Plus you can feel smug that you’ve truly earned your big breakfast, or huge mug of hot chocolate, to help you warm up afterwards.
Want to do something meaningful on New Year’s Day? Why not dedicate just a few minutes to do a #2minutebeachclean to play a part in helping to help keep the West Country’s beaches clean.
Here’s our pick of 10 amazing holiday cottages that are perfect for spending New Year’s Eve in the West Country…
Dorset
1. Harbour Lights, Bridport, Dorset
A spacious 5 bedroom house (sleeps 10) with stunning views over West Bay and Lyme Bay. Finished to an exceptional standard, it offers the ideal base for exploring the spectacular Jurassic Coastline and spending a memorable winter break by the sea. The lively centre of the market town of Bridport is an easy stroll away, offering a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs and a twice weekly market. The beach at West Bay is a seven minute walk along a former railway line. Other popular nearby destinations include Lyme Regis and Charmouth which are great fossil hunting destinations, and the exceptionally picturesque Dorset countryside and coastline. Nearby Burton Bradstock is home to the popular Hive Beach Cafe and the impressive 18 mile stretch of Chesil beach.
2. 16 Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset
This 2 bedroom (sleeps 4) holiday retreat is ideal if you’d like to have all the amenities of a bustling seaside town right on your doorstep. Just a stone’s throw from the world famous Jurassic coast, this recently upgraded cottage is perfect for families, or friends holidaying together. Just a few minutes’ walk from the main shopping area with its many cafes, pubs and restaurants and also the beach, promenade and the famous Cobb harbour wall. The South West Coast Path is also within easy reach on foot, with the awe-inspiring Undercliff between Lyme Regis and Axmouth being a real highlight. There’s also plenty of pretty coast and countryside to explore by car. Lyme Regis is also home to celebrity chef Mark Hix’s Oyster and Seafood Restaurant and an award-winning museum.
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Devon
3. The Wheel House, Colyton, East Devon
This 3 bedroom (sleeps 8) high quality barn conversion is set in beautiful East Devon countryside just a short drive from the stunning Jurassic coast. Recently refurbished, the stylish and comfortable accommodation is set on a working dairy farm just a few miles from the village of Colyton, near the Dorset/Devon border, and just a 20 minute drive from Lyme Regis. In an idyllic rural setting, looking out over rolling countryside with panoramic views across the valley, the cottage benefits from access to a tennis court and games barn with table football, table tennis and a full size snooker table. Inside the barn, the cosy wood burner and underfloor heating make it perfect for peaceful winter breaks in beautiful countryside.
The property is adjacent to two other barn conversions. They can all be booked together to sleep up to 14 guests.
The Leat House – 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4
The Apple Loft – 1 bedroom, sleeps 3
4. Hope Lodge, Thurlestone, South Devon
Set in an incredible position overlooking Thurlestone Sands, Hope Lodge is a stunning, spacious property arranged over three floors and divided into two apartments, accommodating up to 14 guests in total. With luxurious furnishings, magnificent sea views, and its location just a short stroll from the beach, it provides a luxurious base for a seaside escape. The popular Beach House cafe and restaurant is just a short walk away, as is the pretty village of Thurlestone with its golf course, hotel with day spa facilities, and lively Village Inn pub, as well as miles of glorious coastal and countryside walks right from the front door.
5. Horizons, East Prawle, South Devon
A detached 4 bedroom (sleeps 8) stylish and contemporary bungalow perched on the cliffs with spectacular panoramic views from most rooms. Tucked away down a quiet country lane not far from the centre of the windswept village of East Prawle – with its lively, quirky pub, the Pigs Nose Inn – this luxurious holiday home provides a great base for those looking to explore a truly beautiful area and soak up its natural peace and tranquillity. There are bracing clifftop walks, dozens of secret sandy beaches and coves to discover along the rugged coastline, and breathtaking views across the Salcombe estuary. From nearby East Portlemouth you can catch the ferry across to Salcombe to dip into its lively atmosphere and enjoy the selection of boutiques, pubs and restaurants, and then head back to your peaceful rural retreat afterwards.
6. Lundy, Salcombe, South Devon
Lundy is a brand new 4 bedroom (sleeps 8) modern contemporary house just a short walk downhill to the centre of Salcombe. Its innovative design and 3 storey layout makes the most of the views, with the open plan living area on the top floor benefiting from floor to ceiling windows to take in the beautiful far-reaching estuary views. With Salcombe’s many boutiques, pubs and restaurants on your doorstep, as well as several stunning sandy beaches, Lundy offers the perfect base to relax after spending your days enjoying bracing coast path walks, or trips to the beach to make the most of the winter sunshine, or cosy sessions in one of the friendly local pubs.
7. Moorlands Cottage, Dartmoor
Hunker down in this remote 3 bed (sleeps 5) detached stone cottage, tucked on the side of a beautiful valley that dips down to a stunning moorland lake, bordered by the River Taw and set within the heart of Dartmoor National Park. A haven for walkers, some of the grandest tors on Dartmoor can be reached in a morning’s walk from the front door. Well-equipped and comfortable, Moorlands has an open fire and is an ideal base to return to after a day spent walking, letterboxing and exploring Dartmoor. Despite feeling remote and peaceful, it’s just a 5 minute stroll into the picturesque village of Belstone with its fine local pub/restaurant, ancient village stocks and medieval church. It makes a perfect homely retreat for a holiday, whatever the time of year, yet there is something especially beautiful about Dartmoor in the wild, bleak depths of winter.
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Cornwall
8. Seascape, Looe, South Cornwall
This beautiful detached 3 bedroom (sleeps 6) property with far-reaching views across the south coast, offers the perfect cosy spot to sit and watch the comings and goings of the boats going out to sea from Looe harbour. It’s a spacious, stylish, open-plan holiday retreat on the outskirts of the thriving harbour village of Looe, with its many shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, as well as its wide sandy beach and close proximity to the Cornish coastal path. On New Year’s Eve the streets of Looe break out into an impromptu street party, with good humoured revellers in fancy dress filling the streets to celebrate and see in the new year together.
9. 1 Head O’Ditch, Polperro, South Cornwall
This quaint little 1 bedroom (sleeps 2, plus dog) 17th century characterful cottage is the perfect romantic bolthole. With its sea views, underfloor heating and cosy wood burning stove, it’s a lovely place to relax and take time to appreciate each other for a romantic winter break. When you do feel like venturing out, the traditional fishing port of Polperro is right on your doorstep with plenty of interesting shops, pubs and restaurants to enjoy, as well as stunning coastal paths that lead to nearby Looe and many beaches and coves to discover. The cottage is also an easy drive from the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, as well as Cornwall’s many coast and countryside attractions.
10. Goose Cottage, Widemouth Bay, North Cornwall
Goose Cottage is a 3 bedroom (sleeps 6) property, one of 5 cottages set in 125 acres of picturesque countryside with views out to sea at Widemouth Bay. This stylish barn conversion has the added bonus of a swimming pool, tennis courts, games room, play area, farm animals and woodland walks for all the family to explore, as well as a nearby pub/café less than a mile away. The cottage is located just a mile from sandy beach at Widemouth Bay, which is popular with families and surfers, and at low tide there are hundreds of fascinating rock pools to explore. The beach is a wonderful place to learn to surf or body board thanks to fantastic conditions and lots of local surf schools in the surrounding area, although lifeguard cover is only available in the summer. A short drive further on is the lively seaside resort of Bude which also has popular beaches and many shops, pubs and restaurants. Also within easy reach are the dramatic and mystical Tintagel Castel, the quaint fishing village of Boscastle, and many beautiful walks along the rugged North Cornish coast.
Book a New Year’s break in Cornwall
Celebrate your New Year with a holiday in the West Country. Discover your perfect New Year’s Eve holiday cottage here.