There are many ways to ring in the New Year, whether you seek the glitz and glamour of a black-tie ball or the refreshing boost of a sea swim so you can wave hello to 2024 in icy style.
In the spirit of tailoring celebrations, we’ve curated a wonderfully varied collection of holiday cottages for New Year escapes, each with exciting standout features, from cosy cottages near a rip-roaring pub to unique glamping hideaways that promise a magical welcome to the year ahead.
So, whether you’re looking for somewhere special to spend a romantic evening looking to the year ahead or a big and beautiful house where all your favourite people can gather to shout the final countdown to 2024, these exceptional properties will make your New Year truly unforgettable.
Arcus
St Ives, Cornwall | Sleeps 4
Best for: Town-wide celebrations
St Ives is renowned for its New Year celebrations, from the fancy dress that takes the beautiful town by storm to the pretty Christmas lights that turn the harbour into a glistening winter wonderland – not to mention the fireworks that finish the night with a colourful bang! At Arcus, you’ll be in prime position to enjoy the local festivities, with a short stroll between you and the bustling town full of fabulous eateries and vibrant pubs. Boasting incredible views across Porthminster beach, you can spend New Year’s Day soaking up the stunning surrounds as you ease into 2024 in true Cornish style.
Officers’ Mess
Little Haven, Pembrokeshire | Sleeps 2
Best for: A luxurious hot tub
New Year’s Eve and bubbles are a match made in heaven, especially when you swap the sparkling wine for the bubbling depths of a hot tub! Officers’ Mess in Pembrokeshire is a wonderfully rural property packed with history and boasting a secluded courtyard, complete with a rather tempting hot tub for a deliciously bubbly adieu to 2023. Light the fire pit, turn on the beautiful string of overhead lights, and spend a blissful evening toasting the New Year with your favourite person. You’ll find oodles of winding paths and coastal routes to explore during your stay, making for the perfect preamble to your luxurious soaks in the tub.
Woodville Cottage
Lyme Regis, Dorset | Sleeps 4
Best for: A New Year’s Day dip!
Nothing gets you refreshed and ready for the year ahead like an invigorating swim in the sea, especially when it’s alongside a crowd of equally festive swimmers! Woodville Cottage is a charming cottage for four just a short stroll from the beach in Lyme Regis, making it the perfect bolthole for your New Year’s stay. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in any way you like, whether you fancy dining out in one of the town’s fabulous eateries or curled up on the sofa with a glass (or two) of bubbly. However you celebrate the night before, the next day will see you strolling down to the beach for 1pm to join the hundreds of eager swimmers as they dart into the chilly waters for the Lyme Lunge! Fancy dress is encouraged, and there will be tins on the day where you can donate to the chosen charities.
Meadowgate
Welcombe, Devon | Sleeps 14
Best for: A warm Welcombe for big groups
What better way to celebrate the New Year than gathering 13 of your favourite people for one big shindig in a beautiful Devonshire house. Thoughtfully laid out and decorated by Kirstie Allsopp, there’s oodles of space for all at Meadowgate, whether you want to gather in the kitchen over some tasty titbits or spread out across the two cosy living rooms for rounds of charades and the well-worn tradition of recounting the year’s best bits. You’ll also find a games room stocked with ping pong and a football table – not to mention the sweeping North Devon coast on your doorstep – ensuring every minute of your festive stay boasts something spectacular.
Buzzards Rise
Calstock, Cornwall | Sleeps 2
Best for: Dog-friendly celebrations
Nestled in the beautiful wiles of Tamar Valley in Cornwall, Buzzards Rise promises a gloriously dog-friendly stay, whether you’re excited to start the New Year exploring South Cornwall on foot or curling up by the fire with the hound at your feet. The large garden is great for morning runarounds, while the open-plan living space beckons for shared moments aplenty as you countdown to 2024. Taking your celebrations outside, the lovely outdoor table, chairs, and sofas are the perfect place to toast to 2023 under the twinkling cover of the stars.
Cape Wrath Lodge
Durness, Scottish Highlands | Sleeps 16
Best for: Rural shindigs
When it comes to rural destinations for your festivities, you simply can’t beat the rolling wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. Sleeping a whopping 16 people and boasting reaching waterside views, Cape Wrath Lodge is a spectacular place to ring in the New Year – and where better to sing Auld Lang Syne than Scotland. While away your final days of 2023 exploring the incredible surrounding scenery, whether you fancy the coastal delights of Durness and Smoo Cave or the untameable mountains. Make sure to keep an eye out on cool, clear nights, as there is always a possibility of spotting the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.
Duncombe
Teignmouth, Devon | Sleeps 12
Best for: Fun and games
Whether you’re celebrating with the family or a group of friends, nothing brings people together like a spot of friendly competition! At Duncombe, with its fabulous games room (complete with ping pong table, darts, and table football), you can get stuck into a myriad of fun and festive games. Fold the table away and use the space for dancing, or yoga, or make the most of the giant blackboard with a game of life-size Pictionary – the possibilities are endless! Boasting a host of cosy corners and rooms to explore – there’s even a hidden door if you can find it – there’s enough space for every game and frivolity, from hide and seek to epic movie nights.
Moonstone
Cheltenham, the Cotswolds | Sleeps 12
Best for: Culinary celebrations
Foodies unite, this powerhouse of a property has you well and truly covered when it comes to culinary delights, with a state-of-the-art kitchen promising an endless supply of tasty treats for your stay. The induction hob and steam oven ensure all meals are cooked to perfection, while the rather special wine fridge keeps glasses topped up with your favourite vintages – make sure to stop by local vineyards and farm shops for some scrumptious homegrown fare. A glorious kitchen isn’t the only thing on the menu at Moonstone, either. Boasting a home cinema, gym, and spa, you’ll be spoilt for choice on how to spend your New Year here.
Tawny Owl Treehouse
Penrith, Cumbria | Sleeps 2
Best for: Getting back to nature
Wild in a way that’s wonderfully different to the usual vibrance associated with New Year, Tawny Owl Treehouse offers you the chance to return to your roots as you enjoy a more tranquil celebration. Perched amidst the treetops in Cumbrian woodland, this romantic retreat is ideal for anyone looking for a quieter stay. Spend your evening soaking up the sunset in the outdoor bathtub or toasting to the future underneath a swathe of glittering stars, this utterly dreamy hideaway is the ultimate way to ease into a calm and mindful year.
Excited to celebrate the New Year in a way that’s special to you? Explore our beautiful holiday cottages across the UK to find your perfect New Year escape.
