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Book a magical three night full board Christmas Package at the luxurious Brudenell Hotel at Aldeburgh, overlooking Suffolk’s Heritage Coast, and enjoy a lavish festive break by the sea with all the trimmings.

Arrive on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December, and you will be welcomed with an afternoon cream tea and warming glass of mulled wine to put you in the festive spirit. Then join fellow guests at Aldeburgh’s charming art-deco cinema for a short festive film, canapés, mulled wine and carol singers before making your way back to the Brudenell for a superb four-course dinner in the AA two rosette Seafood & Grill restaurant, created by Head Chef James Barber.

Start Christmas day with a chilled glass of Champagne and a full Suffolk breakfast, or perhaps something lighter and save your appetite for later. Join the hotel’s charity balloon race on the seafront at 11am followed by a traditional six-course lunch with all the trimmings. Afterwards you can simply relax or follow the Brudenell treasure hunt, there’s also a quiz at 6.30pm with the answers and winning team revealed after a buffet supper.

On Boxing Day enjoy a late breakfast then explore the local area or take a bracing walk along the seafront and watch the hardy compete in the annual Boxing Day charity swim; lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel with light entertainment. The next morning it’s time to bid farewell to friends old and new after breakfast.

Set in one of Britain’s best seaside locations, the stylish 44 bedroom, four-star hotel is just a step away from the shingle beach with magnificent panoramic sea views to the front, while at the back it overlooks the river Alde and surrounding countryside. Its tranquil situation, coastal themed decor and fresh, locally sourced food, optimises the perfect Christmas break.

Prices start from £590 per person for the three night package based on two sharing an inland-facing Aldeburgh room. To make a reservation call the Brudenell Hotel on 01728 452071 or visit www.brudenellhotel.co.uk; seaview rooms and extra nights are available for a supplement.

An ideal setting for large festive family gatherings, The Drury at Oban which sleeps 22, is available for Christmas week through House Parties, who let a collection of large, stylish properties. Personal chef services may also be available to take away the strain of preparing festive meals for a large party so guests can relax and enjoy this special season.

With stunning views over Oban towards the Isle of Mull and beyond on Scotland’s west coast, the substantial Victorian house has three reception rooms, a large kitchen, eleven bedrooms and seven bathrooms spread over three storeys plus a separate games room. Many of the rooms have sea views, while three of the bedrooms also look towards McCaigs Folly. The house is extremely light and spacious with many original features, which have been sympathetically restored such as the working shutters, cornicing, stair case and fireplaces; there’s also free Wi-Fi and Sky sports.

The Drury is priced at £4,523 (£206 per person) for a week over Christmas from 19th December and £3,845 (£175 per person) for a short four night break during the festive period; up to three pets are also welcome. To book call House Parties on 01845 597614 or visit www.house-parties.com.

Escape this Christmas to the Bathing House, which lies in a secluded, tranquil spot on the bank of the River Dart in South Devon, where the only sounds will be the noise of local wildlife, the water, breeze and any passing boats. Binoculars are provided but for a real retreat away from festivities there is no TV reception or Wi-Fi. Sleeping three, it’s been reduced by 20% down to £784, saving £196 on the full price of £980, for a week’s stay over Christmas from Friday, 19th December.

Approached by half a mile of rough track, the Georgian Grade ll* listed Bathing House is set within the 550 acre Sharpham Estate, near Ashprington, which is best known for its small vineyard.

Inside the neatly fitted, ground floor kitchen has exposed beams and looks out over the river; above are a single and fantastic double bedroom with French windows opening onto a small balcony with wonderful views over the water to the surrounding wooded countryside. Up another flight of stairs is the living room, which occupies the original octagonal bathing house with high ceilings, ornate plaster work, a cosy woodburner and shuttered windows giving views both up and down the river.

For details call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063 or look and book online at www.helpfulholidays.com searching for ref L270.

Tuck into a delicious dinner, bed and breakfast stay from just £65 per person per night at the seafront White Lion Hotel, Aldeburgh for a warming winter break on Suffolk’s stunning Heritage Coast. Set opposite the beach and fishermen’s huts, the hotel is an easy stroll from the town centre High Street shops, galleries and art deco cinema, while its Brasserie restaurant offers relaxed dining focusing on local produce.

Privately owned, the White Lion has 38 bedrooms with stylish contemporary decor; many have panoramic views out to sea. Facing east they are also a great vantage point to watch the sun rise over the glistening sea in the morning.

Based on two sharing an inland facing Explorer room, the Tuck into winter package is available Sunday-Friday until 31st March excluding 24th-31st December 2014 and Valentine’s weekend 2015; dinner is from the House Menu. To book call the White Lion on 01728 452720, www.whitelion.co.uk (quoting Tuck into winter).

Room upgrades are available at a supplement and dogs are welcome (extra); for more information about things to see and do in Aldeburgh visit www.aldeburgh-breaks.co.uk.

Smartly furnished farmhouse for 14, near Little Langdale, Lake District now reduced to £2,500 (£179pppw) for Christmas week from 20th December.

Surrounded by stunning countryside in the hamlet of Little Langdale, sleeping 14 Birch House has been smartly furnished to an exceptionally high standard. Dating back to the 18th century, the restored farmhouse offers 21st century luxury with a homely Lakeland character; polished oak floors, exposed beams and cosy wood burning stoves provide comfort and relaxation in a sublime location. The large and long dining room which seats 14 is ideal for a Christmas lunch gathering. Now reduced from down to £2,500 from £2,850 for Christmas week from Saturday 20th December through Lakelovers on 015394 88855, www.lakelovers.co.uk, ref 438.

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Follow in the Footsteps of Mr Turner and stay at Kingsand, South Cornwall
Cottages from £324pw for four


Blair Cottage

Stay in Kingsand, South Cornwall where scenes from the blockbuster movie were shot. The town, which doubled for 1930s Margate in Kent, had to be extensively dressed to suit the needs of the film. Choose from eight period cottages sleeping three to 12 on offer from Helpful Holidays. Sleeping four and five Chough and Blair cottages are priced at £324 for a week’s stay before Christmas, while extended families or a group of friends can book grade II listed, 18th century Cairn Cottage with its thick, knobbly walls and exposed beams, which sleeps 12 priced from £599pw. Details from Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063, www.HelpfulHolidays.com (refs R46, R45 and R105)

A stylish barn conversion for four at Kentisbury Ford on the edge of Exmoor National Park, North Devon is available for Christmas and New Year weeks from Saturday 20th and 27th December. Inside Pipistrelle Cottage is fresh and bright with an open plan living area, striking blue and white seating and beamed ceilings throughout making a welcome return after a day out. The coast is around five miles at Combe Martin. It’s priced at £497 per week (£124pppw) during the festive season; to book call 01803 814000 or visit www.westcountrycottages.co.uk

New Year’s Eve celebrations at the seafront White Lion Hotel, Aldeburgh focus on the pleasures of fine food, fantastic wine and good company. Set opposite the beach and fishermen’s huts on Suffolk’s Heritage Coast, the hotel is offering a two-night, half-board New Year’s Eve package starting on either 30th or 31st December.

The highlight will be an indulgent eight-course New Year’s Eve banquet with entertainment and dancing into the night. Celebrations begin with Champagne and canapés at 6.30pm; a variety of gastronomic delights follow including a trio of seafood, pork terrine, Champagne sorbet, roast fillet of beef, mini chocolate and orange cheesecake and a selection of East Anglian cheese, plus vegetarian options.

This is an ideal opportunity for all lovers of food and wine to indulge, dance and welcome in 2015 with a sense of occasion; there’s also a piper to see in the New Year.

On New Year’s Day a Bucks Fizz breakfast will be served from 8am until 1pm and in the evening there’s a three-course sit-down dinner in the relaxed setting of the hotel’s Bar & Brasserie. In between there’s plenty of time to explore the local area and take a walk along the wide, shingle beach.

Privately owned, the White Lion Hotel has 38 bedrooms with stylish contemporary decor; many have panoramic views out to sea. Facing east they are also a great vantage point to watch the sun rise over the glistening sea in the morning.

The two-night New Year’s Eve package is priced from £315 per person based on two sharing an inland facing Explorer room; sea view rooms are available at a supplement and extra nights can be booked on 1st and 2nd January from £85 per person, B&B. To book call the White Lion on 01728 452720 or for more details visit www.whitelion.co.uk.

Roaring log fires, ancient oak beams and twinkling lights at the iconic 15th century Swan at Lavenham make an ideal setting to see in the New Year. The charming historic Suffolk hotel is offering a two-night, half-board New Year’s Eve package from 30th December including afternoon tea, drinks reception and dinner both days plus live entertainment.

On arrival enjoy a light afternoon tea in the lounge in front of the wood burning fire. Settle into your room and meet fellow guests for aperitifs before sitting down to a four-course dinner in the beautiful AA two rosette Gallery Restaurant accompanied by international vocalist Ian Gallagher for an evening of swing.

On New Year’s Eve breakfast is a leisurely affair allowing plenty of time to explore the town and local area before gathering for Champagne and canapés. The reception is followed by a grand, black tie, five-course dinner to the sounds of the hotel’s talented pianist, then dance the night away and see in 2015 Year with style.

Based on two sharing a Classic double or twin room, this package is priced from £845 for two sharing. To book call 01787 247477, www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk; room upgrades and extra nights are available at a supplement. The new Weavers’ House Spa will be opening at The Swan during February 2015.
 

For a fun day out during the Twixmas festive period, 26th – 31st December, go along to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire’s stunning Severn Valley where six of the ten museums will be open daily from 10am until 4pm. They will only be closing on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Whether you are interested in a recreated Victorian town, hands-on interactives, fine china, decorative tiles or the history of iron making, it’s all to be found in this fascinating World Heritage Site.

Step back in time at Blists Hill Victorian Town where you will be greeted with a stunning display of sight and sound in the visitor centre as massive images are projected on nine metre high walls telling the harsh reality of life during the evolution of mining and hot metal industries.

Exchange your money in the town’s bank for pre-decimal token coins and spend them in the sweet shop, fried fish dealers or New Inn Public House. Then meander around the period shops and cosy cottages where you will receive a warm welcome from the resident Victorians and be invited into their homes for a chat around the fireside as they go about their daily life.

Over at Coalport China Museum you can marvel at the magnificent china displayed in the very buildings in which it was produced; there’s even a special gallery for children where they can discover the secrets of how china was made. Then walk through galleries and period room settings adorned with magnificent tiles at Jackfield Tile Museum. Displays include tiles from a London hospital children’s ward intricately painted with scenes from nursery rhymes, while a highlight is the new John Scott Gallery, which houses a world-class collection of British decorative tiles from designers such as Pugin, Dresser, Morris, De Morgan and Bawden.

Youngsters can let their imagination go wild at the Enginuity design and technology centre, as they become a design engineer for the day, able to play with huge interactive exhibits, X-ray everyday objects to see how they are made, control a ‘river’ to generate electricity and compete against a robot. Modern equipment is combined with historic machinery to explain everyday principles.

The two other Ironbridge Gorge Museum sites open over the festive break are Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and Museum of The Gorge. You can also visit the original Iron Bridge itself; cast in 1779, its great arch spans the stunning River Severn – as you walk across the bridge try and imagine what the area was like around 300 years ago at the beginning of industrial development.

A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £27.50 per adult, £21 for the 60 plus, £16.50 for students and children and £68 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free.

For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).

Snuggle up this Christmas in front of the cosy wood burner surrounded by ancient beams and knobbly walls in 18th century Mazeys Cottage, near Germoe in South West Cornwall. Sleeping five plus the family pet dog, the cottage, converted from a stone barn on a 15 acre small holding (sheep, friendly collie dogs, chickens), is just over over a mile from the coast and within easy reach of Michael’s Mount and St Ives. Book from Friday, 19th December priced at £894 through Helpful Holidays, Tel: 01647 434063, www.helpfulholidays.com, ref T11.

West Country cottage specialist Helpful Holidays’ new 2015 brochure features nearly 600 places to stay with a marked increase in properties across Torbay, Dartmoor, South Cornwall and Somerset. Ranging from romantic retreats for two up to big country houses sleeping a maximum of 47 guests, most have stunning views out to sea or across lush countryside; prices range from £175 up to £7,000 for a week’s stay.

Below is a selection of some of the best:

Torbay, South Devon
Near the old coaching town of Chudleigh and around eight miles from the coast at Dawlish is The Barn, a smart and spacious conversion sleeping six with an upside-down layout to make the most of the superb country views. Inside it features stylish contemporary décor and furnishings, limestone-tiled floors with rugs and big apex beams, while outside there are sitting-out spaces to the front and back. This is a peaceful, rural location within easy reach of Exeter, the coast and Dartmoor. Given a top 5 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £364 or £61 per person, (details can be found on page 160 of the 2015 brochure, ref B17).

Rurally located on the edge of Blagdon, a mile from Collaton St Mary, are two lovely cottages Oak and Ash, both sleeping four, with shared use of an outdoor solar heated swimming pool (May to September), terrace and sauna. Perfect for a family holiday where adults can relax and children can run and splash about in the pool, these two near-identical cottages are next door each other, also convenient for two families planning a holiday together. Given a 4 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £356 or £89 per person, (details can be found on page 156 of the 2015 brochure, refs C18 and C19).

Dartmoor National Park, Devon
There are several lovely new places to stay in Dartmoor National Park such as Cullaford Cottage, which was once the home of author Mary Wesley. Set in the tiny hamlet of Combe, near Scorriton on Dartmoor’s wooded southern slopes, the stunning detached thatched cottage, which sleeps four, is still a haven from the rush of the modern world. Behind the cottage is an enclosed lawned garden, while across the little used single-track lane, there’s a small enclosed orchard and, beyond, a bluebell wood with the river Mardie running along one side. Inside it’s elegantly furnished with stone and wood floors and original art. Step up from the garden into the kitchen/dining room, a magnificent oak-framed extension; eight shallow steps lead down to two living rooms, both with woodburners. Upstairs two bedrooms with their own facilities, an airy double with pitched ceiling and views over the garden and a twin tucked under the eaves. Pets welcome. Given a 5 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £402 or £100 per person, (details can be found on page 103 of the 2015 brochure, ref A213).

South Cornwall
Amongst the many new places to stay in Cornwall is Hedgerows, an imposing custom-built detached house for 12 with stunning sea views and interiors on the south coast at Maenporth, near Mawnan Smith and Falmouth. Set opposite the spectacular sandy, cove beach, this magnificent house has a vast 60 x 40 foot L-shaped living/dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a splendid central glass-encased woodburner, piano and half-sized snooker table. There are five, generously sized ensuite bedrooms above, two with their own sea-view balconies. Hedgerows is surrounded by an acre of enclosed garden on various levels with a large balcony, terrace, outdoor heated pool (May - September) and a big grassed area with plenty of space for energetic ball games. Given a top 5 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £1,546 or £129 per person, (details can be found on page 50 of the 2015 brochure, ref S67).

Another stunning new place to stay in Cornwall is Dozmary Pool Barn, which sleeps six and welcomes pets. As the name suggests this modern detached house is set peacefully beside Dozmary Pool Lake on Bodmin Moor; an area steeped in the legend of King Arthur and his sword Excalibur. It’s now a Site of Special Scientific Interest with fishing and kayaking on the lake as well as wildlife watching and stunning night skies. Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s tale of smugglers, is about 1.5 miles. Surrounded by a walled garden, the house has an open plan living/dining kitchen area and lovely lake views from some of the rooms. Given a 4 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £315 or £53 per person, (details can be found on page 70 of the 2015 brochure, ref R110).

On the western bank of the river Fowey in the small village of Golant, south Cornwall is Island House, which sleeps six and welcomes pets. Nearby is Daphne du Maurier’s former home, Menabilly, which was an inspiration for Manderley in her novel Rebecca. The cottage has lovely watery views from every window as well as its pretty enclosed garden and sun terrace. Its front door opens into a bright spacious kitchen/dining room with a step leading down to the large beamed living room; two stair cases lead-up to the three bedrooms above. Given a 4 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £435 or £73 per person, (details can be found on page 58 of the 2015 brochure, ref S65).

Somerset
On the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills at the edge of Chilcompton village, with lovely long rural views, is single-storey Magnolia Cottage. Sleeping four this charming cottage was formerly stables to the old parsonage; now light, stylish and smartly refurbished it’s a peaceful base from which to explore Wells, Bath and Glastonbury. There’s a small sitting-out area to the front and a shared lawned garden across the drive bounded by fields. Pets welcome. Given a 4 star rating, a week’s stay costs from £305 or £76 per person, (details can be found on page 212 of the 2015 brochure, ref E27).

Helpful Holidays topped the Which? Travel recommended provider poll for the third year running in 2014 and won Gold at the national 2013 British Travel Awards. The agency has again been nominated for the BTAs for 2014. The agency is a Gold Trusted Merchant by Feefo and won The Sunday Times travel editor’s choice award at the Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards in 2013.

For a free copy of Helpful Holidays’ 2015 brochure call 01647 434063, email [email protected] or order online at www.helpfulholidays.com. Every holiday home in the brochure, plus a selection of online-only properties, are featured on the website. The agency’s charity for 2015 will be Farms for City Children; in 2014 they raised over £12,000 for the Marine Conservation Society. Helpful Holidays can be followed on Twitter @helpfulholidays, Facebook and Pinterest.

Lives Less Ordinary, a new exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington running from Saturday 15th November 2014 until Saturday 10th January 2015, celebrates the lives of nearly 30 local residents who made a mark both close to home and nationally.

The exhibition provides a chance to discover more about this eclectic mix of people whose exploits and influence and vision brought them to prominence or notoriety on the New Forest coast and beyond. These range from GO Smith (1872-1943), the David Beckham of his day, captain of the England Football team and every schoolboy's idol to religious cult leader Mary Ann Girling (1827-1886), founder of a sect called The People of God, also known as the New Forest Shakers.

Other people of note featured in the exhibition include: occult novelist Dennis Wheatley (1897-1977); Arthur Philip (1738-1814), who originally founded the colony of New South Wales, and was the beginning of what would eventually become the nation of Australia; local hero Sir Harry Burrard-Neale (1755-1813, a British officer in the Royal Navy and MP for Lymington; John Howlett (1863-1974), who helped shape modern Lymington; Andrew Peterson (1813-1906) the eccentric builder of Sway Tower, a 66m high Grade II listed folly in the heart of the New Forest; and Charles William Retford (1875-1970), the best violin bow craftsman of his time.

The lives of contemporary figures will also be showcased such as Sammy Miller, championship winning motorcycle racer, in both road racing and trials, and Sir Ben Ainslie; the most successful sailor in Olympic history he has won medals at five consecutive Olympic Games including gold at the last four.

The exhibition is supported by law firm Clarke Willmott.

Tickets to Lives Less Ordinary and St Barbe Museum, which is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, cost £4 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and students, £2 for children aged five to 15, and £10 for a family of two adults and up to four children; under fives are admitted free of charge.

For more details visit www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk or telephone 01590 676969. Follow on Twitter @StBarbeMuseum and visit the museum’s Facebook page searching for St. Barbe Museum & Art Gallery.