What is it that makes a good winter holiday for you? Is it the blustery walks or the frosty mornings? What about getting stuck into your favourite book in front of a roaring fire? Well today we’re looking at some of the best places for all of these things, from the South Coast of Wales all the way up to the Scottish Highlands. So take a look and see if we can tempt you into book yourself a winter holiday in one of these spots; just remember to keep an eye out for properties that offer Winter Short Breaks – you’ll be able to get yourself a three night break at a discounted price, what more could you want?
Northumberland
If you’re the kind of person who would include bracing walks and stunning scenery as prerequisites of their ideal winter break then Northumberland is just the spot for you. Its famous coastal path provides many a beautiful walk and when you add in the idyllic Northumberland National Park, you can see why the county is the perfect place for those who love nothing more than to strap on their walking boots. No matter where you go you’ll be blown away by the views, from the imposing Dunstanburgh Castle through to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Or if the weather gets a bit too much you can always head into one of Northumberland’s cosy towns and villages. Take Alnwick for example, not only did it set the scene for portions of the Harry Potter films, it’s also home to Barter Books, one of the biggest second hand bookshops in Europe, where the Keep Calm and Carry On phenomenon all started!
The Highlands
“Fire Peak” by John Mcsporran / CC BY 2.0
Alternatively you might want to take a look at heading north of the border for your winter break. If so then you should definitely pay a visit to the Highlands! There are few places around the United Kingdom that can match the area for its peace and quiet, and then there’s the scenery! Crisp sunrises out and about on the glens reveal the eerie, mist covered mountains and the silvery lochs. Or maybe you fancy a change of pace? Well the highlands can offer an adrenaline filled break too! The Cairngorms are the only place in the UK that can boast natural ski slopes and there are countless companies offering you the chance to get stuck into a wide variety of adventure sports!
Pembrokeshire
I don’t think that anyone would blame you if you were of the opinion that Pembrokeshire in South Wales should only be considered as a summer destination. What with its seemingly endless sandy beaches it does seem like the perfect place to spend a summer, but Pembrokeshire also makes for a fantastic winter break! Sand castles and sunbathing are probably out of the question (unless you’re a particularly hardy soul!) but there are plenty of other things you can do to pass the time. For example, you could pay a visit to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, home to almost 600 miles of footpaths and bridle ways. Or you could always take a step back in time; Pembrokeshire is home to over fifty fortresses and castles, ranging from the imposing Pembroke Castle right the way through to Castell Henllys, a replica of the recently excavated Iron Age fort from over 2000 years ago!
So there you go, a few of our favourite places for a break over the winter months. But don’t let us cloud your judgement, we’ve got properties all around the United Kingdom and Ireland that would make for a dream winter holiday, from the beaches of Cornwall right the way through to the rolling hills of County Donegal. Or maybe you know of somewhere that you think people should be visiting? If so, do let us know either over Facebook or Twitter and we’ll spread the word!
By Jamie Tomkins
Jamie is a big fan of long weekend walks with the dog, especially when there is the chance to refuel with lunch in a country pub. Living in Lancaster for three years gave him the perfect opportunity to spend a lot of time in the Lake District.
