Seven cosy cottages with log burners for the perfect winter retreat

With the Christmas season upon us and the winter blues kicking in, it is the perfect time for a cosy winter break to relax and unwind.

And much like in The Holiday, sometimes all you need to escape the busy nature of life is a home swap to a cosy cottage, as Cameron Diaz’s character did in the 2006 festive film.

From a 300-year-old thatched cottage, to one that looks like the inside of a yacht – each one of these unusual properties share one thing in common, a log burner.

LastMinute-Cottages.co.uk has uncovered the cosiest cottages for the perfect winter break – with prices based on a three night stay from December 15 to 18 – so you can pretend you’re in your very own Christmas romcom.

Inglenook Cottage, Broad Campden in Blockley, Gloucestershire

Price – 3 nights / £494 (sleeps 2)

This 300-year old Cotswold stone, thatched roof cottage is bursting with character.

The property boasts many of its original features, including exposed beams, a stone staircase and a large inglenook fireplace, complete with a seat and bread oven. It’s perfect for cosying up in front of after a day exploring the quaint nearby villages.

The Grade II listed building is a former village blacksmith, and has previously been featured on postcards – making it quite literally ‘picture perfect’.

The property has been recently restored with modern appliances and a fitted wooden kitchen, with a gorgeous claw foot bath and trendy shower.

Ideal for a romantic escape, the village pub – The Bakers Arms – can be reached on foot, and a very short drive away is Chipping Campden, an historic market wool town, with an abundance of independent shops, restaurants, wine bars and teashops.

The Well House in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Price – 3 nights / £571 (sleeps 2)

This property is the perfect cottage for a winter retreat in the countryside, with a cosy wood-burning stove set in an original brick fireplace next to the unique focal point of the property – a 40-foot Well with a glass top which features as a stunning, showcase dining table.

The cottage is set on a four-acre estate and guests have access to the estate’s orchard, with pear, apple and olive trees.

The romantic retreat has amazing views of unspoilt countryside, with full height windows allowing light to flood into the historic property.

There are plenty of walks a short distance from The Well House, including the famous Monarch’s Way footpath that approximates Charles II’s escape route following the Battle of Worcester.

The Shooting Folly in Cheswardine, Shropshire

Price – 3 nights / £830 (sleeps 2)

The Shooting Folly is a unique holiday home, standing all on its own and surrounded by Shropshire Farmland. It has views over fields and woods and is a 19th Century hidden gem in some of the most attractive countryside in England.

This property boasts a crenelated mock church tower at one end, a stepped gable at the other and between them a simple, timber thatched cottage, equipped with a log burner for those cosy winter evenings.

The bolthole is believed to be an old shooting lodge, and was recently transformed from a ruin by its current owners back to its former glory.

Dovecot Cottage, Grasmere in Lake District, Cumbria

Price – 3 nights / £771 (sleeps 2)

This eccentric cottage offers décor resembling the inside of a yacht through intimate oak beams, tiled floors and interesting recess cubby holes. With a toasty wood-burning stove and plush sofa to cosy up on after a day exploring the village of Grasmere and the lakes, this cottage is ideal for a couples staycation this winter.

The hidden gem is in the charming village of Grasmere, famous for being shortlisted by Hollywood moguls as one of the properties for Bilbo Baggins’ house in the popular Lord of the Rings franchise.

The village centre is just a short stroll away, home to several handy shops and local pubs where you can take a break from the kitchen and dine out for some hearty pub grub.

Adventurers will delight in the chance to challenge themselves to a climb up Fairfield Peak, reaching heights of 873 metres, this stunt is not for the faint-hearted, however there’s also an array of leisurely walking trails if preferred.

The Piggery in Glenridding, Cumbria

Price – 3 nights / £536 (sleeps 2)

A quaint cottage in a beautifully secluded setting in the village of Glenridding, this cottage was once a piggery for breeding pigs.

And with its romantic location and wonderful views it’s the perfect log fire stay for a quiet country retreat.

The lakeside village offers a cafe and selection of pubs, some of which overlook the picturesque Ullswater lake.

The area is popular with mountain walkers as there are seemingly endless opportunities nearby. Above the village sits the Greenside Mine – an 18th century lead mine.

Ysgubor Ucha in Ruthin, Wales

Price – 3 nights / £529 (sleeps 2)

For a traditional cottage with a strikingly contrasting contemporary interior, this property in the town of Ruthin will provide the perfect base for a cosy break this winter. With a wood-burning stove crackling in the background, guests can settle down after a long day exploring the surrounding area which includes a nearby butterfly conservation area and an old fort.

LastMinute Cottages added: “Take a stroll into the centre of Llanelidan village to dine at The Leyland Arms, a cosy pub serving great food and offering a great spot for enjoying a pint after a long walk amidst the North Wales countryside.”

The Orangery in Turriff, Scotland

Price – 3 nights / £292 (sleeps 2)

This romantic cottage , situated on the outskirts of Turriff in the heart of the Scottish countryside, is perfect for couples looking for a cosy escape. The property comes equipped with a wood burning stove and a wood fuelled hot tub on the deck for relaxing after a wintery day in the Scottish countryside.

An orangery sits at the front of the property, with a vaulted ceiling, large glass windows and a decking-style floor.

During the 19th century, Turriff was an important place for agricultural trade, which is now reflected with the annual event to promote its agriculture and food industry.