Inspiration

UK towns and villages perfect for autumn and winter escapes

5 min read

There are some cosy towns and villages in the UK that feel made for hunkering down. These are places where shop windows glow with independent treasures down cobbled, lantern-lit streets, folk music nights bring the pubs to life, and walks along coastal paths or golden countryside work up an appetite for a steaming mug of mulled wine. In this guide, we’ve rounded up our favourite getaways and detailed the best experiences in each, so you can plan everything from scenic walks and artisan bakery stops to evening drinks by the fire. After days of exploring, retreat to one of our snug holiday cottages nearby.

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Holt, Norfolk

Holt’s Georgian streets are strung with twinkling lights in winter and filled with independent shops, antique emporiums and cafés that invite you in from the sea air. Browse Bakers & Larners (a family-run department store dating back to 1770), discover handmade pottery at Folly Tearooms, or lose an hour in Holt Bookshop. When you’re ready for some fresh air, wander the trails in Holt Country Park or head 10 minutes to the windswept Norfolk coast before tucking into a fireside pint at The Kings Head.

Stay at: Cartshed Cottages at Sharrington Hall, four elegant cottages beside Sharrington Hall, each with roll-top tubs, log-burners and interiors inspired by Norfolk’s landscapes – just a short hop from the coast.

Browse all our places to stay near Holt >

Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds

Perched high on the Cotswold hills, Stow is all golden stone, crooked lanes and centuries-old coaching inns. Begin at the bustling market square, wander past galleries and boutiques, and stop for tea at Huffkins bakery. As the light fades, retreat to The Porch House, said to be England’s oldest inn, for hearty food and roaring fires. Step out on crisp mornings for easy walks through the rolling countryside and neighbouring chocolate-box villages.

Stay at: Upper Barn, a beautifully renovated barn with soaring beams, stone walls and a private garden – the perfect spot for peaceful evenings after exploring Stow and its countryside.

Browse all our places to stay near Stow-on-the-Wold >

Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland

Set on the banks of the River Tay, Dunkeld is a storybook village with pastel houses, a ruined cathedral and pubs made for lingering on chilly nights. Stroll along the river, shop for crafts and gifts on Atholl Street, and don’t miss Aran Bakery’s famous cakes. At night, join locals at The Taybank, where fires crackle, folk music plays and rain patters softly on the windows.

Stay at: Cuil an Duin Cottages, two charming hideaways tucked into a 1920s country house wing, with Highland tweeds, wood-burning stoves and 20 acres of gardens to roam.

Browse all our places to stay near Dunkeld >

Totnes, Devon

Totnes is bohemian, bustling and endlessly characterful. The high street is a patchwork of organic food shops, ethical boutiques and vintage treasures, while Arcturus Books and The Hairy Barista café are local favourites. After a riverside stroll, duck into the Dartmouth Inn for hearty meals and a pint, then wander home through winding streets lit with golden lamplight.

Stay at: Willows Rest, an eco-friendly barn conversion with space for family and friends, complete with indoor pool, firepit and hot tub, perfect for cosy evenings after a day exploring Totnes.

Browse all our places to stay near Totnes >

Mousehole, Cornwall

Wrapped around a sheltered harbour, Mousehole has a timeless magic that feels especially cosy in the cooler months. Granite cottages and art galleries line the narrow streets, while Hole Foods Deli serves the freshest crab sandwiches by the water. In stormy weather, huddle into the Old Coastguard for hearty food and sea views through salt-sprayed windows. A bracing walk to Lamorna Cove rewards you with dramatic coastal scenery.

Stay at: Carter’s Croft at Middle Colenso Farm, a rustic converted farmworker’s cottage with wood-burner, reclaimed timbers and a private garden – a snug hideaway close to Cornwall’s sandy beaches.

Browse all our places to stay near Mousehole >

Ramsbottom, Manchester

Ramsbottom has an industrious past, with its old mills and puffing steam train, but today it feels more like a cosy northern escape. Rows of Victorian townhouses and stone cottages are wrapped by moors and woodland, and the town has built a name as a foodie hub, with artisan cafés, great pubs and food festivals that bring everyone together. Stroll along the high street for independent shops and galleries, or head up Holcombe Hill for walking trails and sweeping views before warming up with something hearty by the fire at The Dun Cow.

Stay at: Margaret’s Cottage, a Victorian stone bolthole on a quiet street, lovingly renovated by garden and interior designers. Inside you’ll find a hand-built kitchen, exposed stone and beams, and a freestanding tub to sink into after moorland walks. Throw a log on the fire, curl up on the sofa and enjoy this snug retreat in one of Manchester’s prettiest little towns.

Browse all our places to stay near Ramsbottom >

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Beth Tingle

Beth is our Marketing & Content Coordinator, who uses her experience in all things content to get to the heart of the stories and people behind our places and paint an authentic picture of what makes them truly special. She then helps the SEO team to ensure that content reaches as many people as possible. Raised in the small seaside town of Clevedon, she then studied English at Falmouth University and is happiest when swimming in the sea. A huge foodie, she enjoys travel that involves finding the best local markets and cooking up the produce in a self-catered stay.

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