The best Airbnbs for Christmas in the UK

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands, England

Time Out tip:

Rooms: Three rooms. Sleeps six.

Nearby:

Price: From £415 per night. Three-night minimum. 

Location: East Layton, Yorkshire, England

Did you ever watch the Christmas episodes of Downton Abbey and wish you could celebrate with such swagger? This huge Yorkshire manor oughta do the trick. There are six king-sized bedrooms with full ensuites, three reception rooms, two fireplaces, half an acre of gardens and a partridge in a peartree somewhere, I'm sure. There's also a piano to sing serenade fellow war soldiers, a dining area to passive aggressively converse with guests, and an outdoor patio to watch gentle snowfall as your SO asks for your hand. And when you're tired of the family drama (and all my Downton references), two of those big bathrooms come with big copper tubs to soak away the stress. 

Time Out tip: If you're feeling to aristrocratic to cook in this home, ask your host about the dine-at-home chef he recommends (Henny’s Kitchen), or about booking a table at The Bay Horse pub.

Rooms: Six bedrooms. Sleeps 12. 

Nearby: The Fox Hall Inn restaurant serves a mean Sunday Roast (with jugs of gravy), and is a five-minute drive. And when you're ready for some holiday hiking, the North York Moors National Park is 40 minutes out, and the North Pennines National Landscape is a 50-minute drive north. 

Price: From £375 per night. 

Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England 

Like scene straight out of The Holiday, this two-bed cottage near the Peak District sits on a hillside with a front-row view of the Derbyshire Dales. Interiors are simple, but charming, with cream walls, wooden features and full kitchen for a humble Christmas feast. When you're ready for fresh air, the back garden has a scenic sitting area that lets you soak up all the sun - if there is any during this time of year. 

Time Out tip: Time your stay right, and you might just see the Northern Lights glow over the property. 

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps four. 

Nearby: Start your Christmas with a morning walk at Stoney Wood park, just 10 minutes away by foot. 

Price: From £140 per night. Three-night minimum. 

Location: Windsor, Berkshire, England

Time Out tip:

Rooms: Four bedrooms. Sleeps eight. 

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Price: From £339 per night. Three-night minimum.

Location: Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, England

An hour outside of central London, this gorgeous two-bedroom home in the heart of the Chilterns hits the spot when you want to escape the bustle and begin the new year with a gentle reset. The interior theme is cosy-meets-contemporary, with neutral toned walls, thick and colourful bedding, green-tiled bathrtooms and a small, but charming outdoor patio with seating. But it's the lounge that steals the show – the comfy L-sofa is made for watching cheesy holiday films, with the vaulted ceiling and open fire making it feel like home.

Time Out tip: Take a 30-40 minute drive to Oxford or Reading to catch all the Christmas lights and hot chocolate booths in action. 

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps four.

Nearby: A quick walk into town will take you to The Cheese Shed, an inviting coffee shop run by award-winning cheesemakers, Nettlebed Creamery.

Price: From £352 per night.

Location: Fort William, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK

Time Out tip:

Sleeps:

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Price: From £620 per night. 

Location: Cynwyd, Dee Valley, Wales

Time Out tip: 

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six.

Nearby:

Price: From £168 per night. Three-night minimum.

Location: Wellington, Somerset

This log cabin in the countryside comes with everything you would want from a romantic winter getaway. There’s a hot tub located on a tree deck built around a 400-year-old oak tree, lots of fairy lights and a comfy bed. Located in the peaceful hamlet of Ham (really), in Somerset, you’ll have plenty to explore when you’re not soaking in the hot tub. You can drive to Bristol or Bath, or hike through the beautiful Jurassic Coast and Exmoor National Park. 

Time Out tip: Sheppy's House of Cider is worth the pit-stop to wander through orchards or grab some artisan cheese for the cabin. 

Rooms: One room. Sleeps two.

Nearby: The White Horse Inn pub is a five minute drive out, and you can stock up on goods in Wellington in about 10 minutes. But if you're looking for more adventure Exmoor National Park is only 35 minutes away. 

Price: From £166 a night.

Location: Powys / Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales

If it’s a little romance you’re after, then this newly renovated bothy will be of service. Situated at the halfway point of Llangattock Mountain, the bothy is surrounded by meadows and mountains. In short, the location is unreal, especially from the hot tub. And when you’re not enjoying a glass of fizz in the tub or curling up by the fire, you can take an evening stroll through Crickhowell high-street where you find lots of quaint tea rooms, pubs, crafts shops – heck, even popping into the newsagents here is worth writing home about. So much rural charm.

Time Out tip: It's a 35-minute drive, but it's worth every second to try one of the juiciest burgers around in Brecon's popular joint, Hills. 

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two.

Nearby: Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve is a short walk or five-minute drive out.

Price: From £174 per night.

Location: Hawes, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England

Set on three acres of private woodland, this little wood cabin comes Wi-Fi and TV-free, making it the ultimate secluded getaway. This one has all the wintry charm we love to see: a gorgeous interior entirely constructed of wood, a comfy bed with a skylight, roll-down blinds and a deck with its own fireplace - the perfect place to spot the odd red squirrel. With stunning views Widdale Beck, the cabin offers a real sense of calm for those who need a New Year reshuffle.

Time Out tip: Pack your walking boots. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is quite literally at your feet, and wonderfullly scenic. 

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two.

Nearby: You're a 25-minute drive from the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

Price: From £190 per night.

Location: Otterburn, Northumberland

Northumberland is one of the few places with decent odds on on spotting the magical phenomena of the Northern Lights without travelling to Lapland. Even if clear skies aren’t on the cards, this cabin in Northumberland National Park is idyllic for a family holiday within mother nature. It comes with your very own private barrel sauna and a hot tub on the deck – perfect for stargazing. It’s also on a 500-acre estate with woodland trails, a lake and home to a population of red squirrels.

Time Out tip: The property is dog-friendly and has a variety of scenic paths for dog walks. 

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests.

Nearby: The city of Otterburn and Percy's Cross landmark are both a five-minute drive or short walk away. 

Price: From £250 per night. Two-night minimum. 

Location: Nevern, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

Truthfully, the cottage had us with those Christmas, scarlet-red windows. And since you’re right near the coast, the historic village of Nevern, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying a scenic stroll through the neighbouring woodlands, beaches, and the Mountain of Angels, with coffee shops and pubs along the way. As for the interiors, we can confirm ultra cosiness. The cottage is big enough for two guests, and one very well-behaved doggo, and is spread across two floors: an open-plan kitchen and living area on top, and a bedroom and bath below. Ideal if you want to feel shut off from the world for a few days.

Time Out tip: Warning to anyone over 6' 2'': the downstairs ceilings are low and you may have to duck. 

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two.

Nearby: Newport Beach offers plenty of coastal paths, and is only a 15-drive out. 

Price: From £108 per night.