Dreaming of a wintry getaway to celebrate the festive season?
With crackling fireplaces, and even the odd hot tub, SoGlos's selection of Gloucestershire cabins and cottages have each been carefully chosen to inspire your Christmas getaway in the countryside.
So whether you're dreaming of a solitary setting or a festive family celebration, these cosy hideaways are straight out of a certain holiday romance movie...
Forest Holidays
It doesn't really get much cosier than a log cabin in the woods, especially when there's a hot tub thrown in, and Forest Holidays' location in the Forest of Dean has everything needed for a Christmas getaway in abundant nature.
There's nine luxurious lodges to choose from, with on-site amenities including a bar and restaurant; a range of activities to book including photography lessons and in-cabin spa treatments; as well as a kids' play area, bike hire and the opportunity to book your own private chef. The cabins are also pet-friendly, so festive furry friends can join in the merriment, too!
Crickley Court Cottages
Thought to be at least 300 years old, the two Crickley Court Cottages are overflowing with history, having been converted from an old coaching inn and stables.
Fully-equipped, the cottages are super quaint and cosy, but there's still plenty of room for a family trip to the countryside — and with Cheltenham nearby, there's plenty of pubs, restaurants and enrichment venues to book for festive fun over the Christmas period.
Cotswold Cottage Gems
When looking for a luxurious cottage break, be sure to visit one of Cotswold Cottage Gems' fabulous holiday homes during the yuletide season.
With numerous locations across the Cotswolds, from Bourton-on-the-Water to Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold Cottage Gems acts as a directory to some of the most charming holiday homes in the area, each one with its own personalised touches that will make a stay feel like a home from home — perfect for Christmas celebrations. Plus, every cottage booking includes a complimentary welcome hamper featuring products from local suppliers including Diddly Squat Farm and The Cotswold Cheese Co.
Puffit's Cottage
Another Cotswolds Christmas cracker, Puffit's Cottage is a snuggly country-style haven in the sought-after location of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Built in the 18th century, Puffit's boasts a host of original features, adding to its characterful charm and creating a comfortable atmosphere to while away the season in. Sleeping five guests in three bedrooms, the cottage is also pet friendly and comes fully decorated at Christmas — one less thing to worry about during the busy season!
Bolthole Retreats
Listing a wide range of holiday homes throughout the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean, Bolthole Retreats puts emphasis on the beauty of the nature that encompasses its rental properties.
Imagine a Christmas spent surrounded by your nearest and dearest, the tree is already up and the fire is lit, all that's left to do is pop the Bucks Fizz and gather round for the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special, making sure to put a bracing walk on the itinerary to explore the stunning local scenery, too.
Whitemead Forest Park
For families and couples looking to be a little less solitary, Whitemead Forest Park in the Forest of Dean has a whole schedule of festive entertainment options, as well as its own restaurant, bar area and leisure centre.
Consider Christmas Day lunch sorted, along with the annual visit to Santa, before returning to one of the log cabins or woodland lodges to cuddle up in front of the TV, play some family games and cuddle up for the night before the festive fun starts all over again the next day.
The Roost
A true hidden hideaway, The Roost is a pair of award-winning cabins tucked away in Mitcheldean in the Forest of Dean — ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway this Christmas.
Filled with amorous amenities, including a candlelit outdoor bathtub, whether you choose The Nook or The Nest, there's boundless enjoyment and relaxation to be had. Make the festive break extra special with the add-ons available, such as a cheese board packed with Gloucestershire cheeses, a box of chocolate truffles from The Littledean Chocolate Store, a barbecue box with a selection of meat from Plump Hill Farm, or a Thai meal for two delivered from Phai's Kitchen in Cheltenham.
The Old Dairy Cottages
Another fabulous Forest of Dean destination, The Old Dairy Cottages are also great options for an intimate staycation for two — with furry friends welcome!
Beautifully furnished for comfort and warmth, the two cottages are positioned within stunning natural surroundings, so the Boxing Day walk with the dogs is sorted. St Anthony's Well is right on the doorstep, as well as seemingly endless ancient woodlands to explore by bike or by foot.
Ford Farm Lodges
A selection of 10 self-catering cabins run by a Forest of Dean family, Ford Farm Lodges in Newent provide a true escape to the country, combining cosiness and tradition with modern amenities.
Christmas breaks spent at a Ford Farm Lodge mean discovering nearby attractions, sampling local ales and ciders at nearby pubs and cosying up at the end of the day with a mulled wine as the frosty December air whistles through the woodland that's just outside the window — midwinters don't have to be bleak anymore...
Birdsnest Cottage
Birdsnest Cottage is situated in the Saxon village of Deerhurst near Tewkesbury and presents a warm welcome for guests with its brick facade and solid wooden features — and it's been owned by the same family for nearly 200 years!
The bedroom's upstairs allow for up to four guests with a cot for small children and family gatherings are made all the better with Birdsnest's open-plan living arrangement, meaning everyone can make merry while keeping an eye on the all-important turkey in the oven.
