Cosy Cottages & Great Holiday Homes: Where to Go For a Winter Staycation

THE OLD SWEET SHOP, WHITSTABLE

When you opt to go self-catered rather than stay in a hotel, it’s likely because you want that cosy kind of luxury that still makes you feel right at home. Mulberry Cottages have this covered, with a cracking selection of 600 unique and handpicked properties across the South of England, from stately homes to converted railway carriages, coastal grand designs to ultra-modern city pads. We particularly recommend The Old Sweet Shop – a chamingly restored three-bedroom cottage located in the very heart of the vibrant seaside town of Whitstable. As the name suggests this was formerly the town’s sweet shop; guests can help themselves to a selection of sweets with metal scoops and paper bags provided to complete the experience.

Decked out in calming coastal colours, it’s spread over three floors and has all the charm of a period cottage with beautifully plush interiors, all the mod cons and gloriously comfortable beds. The kitchen is particularly scenic and well stocked, making it a real pleasure to cook a leisurely breakfast or dinner at home. The location, on a quiet and residential street, is also within easy walking distance all of the town’s attractions, including the train station, high street, harbour and famous fish market.

AND THE FOOD?

The town is famous for its food and drink, with rustic seafood restaurants, quirky pubs and loads of interesting independent food stores just a few minutes away from the house – so you’ll be spoilt for choice whether you want to eat out or cook in the cottage’s pretty kitchen. On our first night we popped to The Offy (a lovely independent off licence) and stocked up the fridge with local ales and Kentish wine from Chapel Down before picking up piping hot fish and chips from Ossies Fish Bar, enjoying them alfresco in the cottage’s enclosed garden. Mulberry Cottages can also help to arrange an array of other elements for the holiday, including catering, babysitting, group activities and full celebration solutions. £421 for 3 nights / £580

for 7 nights. Visit mulberrycottages.com or call 01227 464 958

CHESIL VISTA HOLIDAY PARK, WEYMOUTH, DORSET

If you’re looking for a family-friendly UK break this winter or later in 2020, we’d suggest shimmying Chesil Vista to the top of your shortlist. With stunning views of Chesil beach and the Jurassic coast, we enjoyed our stay in a spotless two-bedroom static caravan, complete with outdoor seating for al fresco suppers, and an electric fire and TV for cosy nights in. You can relax knowing all your needs are covered: there’s a food store on-site, alongside an indoor swimming pool, gym, restaurant and entertainment venue, and you can even rent bikes to explore Weymouth for the day.

The jewel in Chesil Vista’s crown is its unbeatable location. Weymouth is very pedestrian-friendly, so you can easily explore the town on foot; likewise with Chesil beach. Otherwise, hop into your car and take a short drive up to Portland for spectacular clifftop views, or travel further afield to see Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove; part of the Dorset and East Devon Coast UNESCO world heritage site.

AND THE FOOD?

Chesil Vista opened a brand-new restaurant and menu for 2019: The Breeze Bar and Grill. We were treated to dinner here on our first night, and it absolutely hit the spot! There was a huge range of well-priced dishes to choose from; we opted for the garlic flat bread and crispy calamari to start, followed by a halloumi fritter burger and the restaurant’s signature dish: the ‘hanging kebab’. There’s no scrimping on the portion sizes, and it’s safe to say this is tasty comfort food with an inventive twist. Watersideholidaygroup.co.uk

CITADINES BARBICAN, LONDON

It goes without saying that London is overflowing with foodie delights to explore, so, when visiting, it makes sense to have a relaxing base to go back to after a hard day of exploring and restaurant hopping! When it comes to holiday apartments, we’re always glad to find something with that ideal combination of convenient location, great facilities and cosy luxury – and we were seriously impressed by Citadines Barbican.

Fully renovated in 2017 this serviced apart’hotel is decked out in vibrant mid– century modern style, with 129 rooms ranging from double bedrooms to one-bedroom serviced apartments that can cater for up to four occupants. All room types include air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, smart TVs and seating areas as standard, and apartments are all fitted with a fully-equipped modern kitchenette. On arrival we popped to Waitrose (just a five minute walk away) and stocked up treats and kitchen essentials, allowing us to have a lazy breakfast and pre-dinner drinks at our leisure. The Barbican neighbourhood is home to some of the city’s hippest gastropubs, art centres, indie cinemas and museums; the renowned Barbican Centre and Museum of London are both a short 8-minute walk away, too. There are also gym facilities, a launderette and on demand housekeeping and dry cleaning services.

AND THE FOOD?

The Barbican branch of Citadines doesn’t have a restaurant, but it does have an exciting collaboration with Sourced Market, an independent deli stocking delicious goodies from small British food producers, including fantastic coffee, artisan bread, bean to bar chocolate, craft beer, wine and artisan snacks. Located adjacent to the reception area guests can enjoy breakfast and all day dining at this bright and buzzy spot seven days a week, or pick up ingredients to cook in their apartment. We treated ourselves to breakfast one morning and were really impressed with the quality: fresh orange juice, warm flakey croissants, toasted bagels filled with crispy outdoor-reared bacon and a perfectly-made flat white. Citadines.com

WIGWAM HOLIDAYS SEDGEWELL BARN, NORTHALLERTON

In the rural Yorkshire village of Northallerton lies a luxury glamping site that would convert even the most adamant hotel enthusiast. Wigwam Holidays Sedgewell Barn is home to six deluxe cabins that include heating and running water, four of which include private outdoor hot tubs that

allow you to unwind whilst looking out over breathtaking countryside views. They provide a refreshingly different type of accommodation that’s perfect for dog owners and those who want to reconnect with nature. Inside your cabin retreat you’ll find a host of home comforts including a private shower room and toilet, a kitchenette area with a sink, fridge, microwave, cutlery and utensils, a TV and DVD player and a comfy double bed (bedding is available at an extra cost, or you can bring your own). You can also request lovely extras such as bunting, foldable camping chairs, wooden logs for the outdoor fire pit, skewers and marshmallows that are available for a modest fee and really made our experience extra special.

The site is surrounded by scenic countryside walks and is a short stroll to The Wellington Heifer pub which provides excellent food and drink for those don’t fancy cooking. It’s around a 30-minute drive from the Yorkshire Dales and 90 minutes from the stunning coastal hotspots of Whitby, Scarborough and many more delightful locations, so there’s certainly plenty to do during your stay. Wigwamholidays.com