At the turn of the year, it’s hard to beat new year holiday cottages in the UK. Want to make sure your stay is extra special? There are a few booking tips worth bearing in mind. In this post, we’ll run through five things to consider to make sure your new year’s getaway is truly spectacular.
Get in early
The best piece of advice when you’re looking at new year luxury cottages, is to get in early. New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly one of the most popular times of the year for a staycation. Why? It’s a school holiday, for starters, as well as being one of those occasions when people want to do something special.
Additionally, people often want to stay in the UK for New Year’s because of its proximity to Christmas – you don’t want all the stress of going abroad just a few days after Santa’s been. And there’s something magical about the UK in late December with the crisp, wintry surroundings.
Put simply, those UK holiday cottages are in high demand at this time of the year, so it’s definitely not one for a last-minute booking. We advise booking your cottage between 10-12 months in advance, but certainly no later than three months before the end of the year.
One trick is to book for next year’s New Year getaway during the festive period a year prior. That way, festivities will already be in everyone’s mind, and you’ll often have people in one place already to discuss availability. Not to mention the extra free time for planning during the Christmas break.
Be flexible with numbers
One of the great things about a New Year’s getaway is having everyone in one place as you reflect on the year gone by and look forward to what’s coming in the next 12 months. So, you definitely don’t want anybody to miss out because there’s not enough room!
It goes without saying that you’ll book a large cottage big enough for everyone who says they’re in. But what about booking a place that’s slightly larger than required? Hear us out.
How many times have you planned an event only for someone to ask if their new partner can come? Alternatively, someone’s plans might change leaving them unexpectedly free. Remember, a year is a long time if you’re booking early as suggested. You could meet new friends altogether that you want to invite along!
Booking a luxury cottage that sleeps 4-5 more than you’re expecting could help you avoid any disappointment when the time comes.
Agree on where to go
It can seem like half the job is getting people to agree to the mere idea of going away for New Year’s Eve. After that, you’re probably ready to start searching and get the wheels in motion.
But hold your horses. A little extra effort with those interested parties can go a long way. We’re talking about deciding on the type of holiday in question. This can narrow down the number of cottages you’re comparing and make the search a lot easier.
If everyone wants a big night out, for example, you’ll want to look at big houses near cities like Manchester, Liverpool and London.
Maybe everyone wants to go out, but not go quite as big. If that’s the case, a holiday cottage within walking distance of the local pub is the perfect fit.
On the flip side, your friends and relatives might want to make the most of the facilities on New Year’s Eve – which is where a party house can be great. Or perhaps they’re looking for some family celebrations at a remote cottage.
You might find that everyone’s quite flexible (or just doesn’t want to lead the pack). But even something as simple as near the coast can give you some much-needed direction.
Any plans for New Year’s Day?
For some people, New Year’s Day is just as important as the night that precedes it. This is another way you can narrow down new year holiday cottages.
UK swims are growing in popularity, for example, becoming a tradition for many a family on New Year’s Day. If you want to take a refreshing dip in the sea, a cottage that’s within walking distance of the beach is the perfect fit. Or look for Lake District cottages near Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston or any of the other beautiful lakes.
Another popular tradition is the New Year’s Day walk. If your group likes to start the year with a proper ramble, houses in the Peak District and Cotswolds will surely be top of the list.
Don’t forget the dogs!
Our final tip is to factor any dogs into your plans. As much as we all love our four-legged friends, it can be easy to forget about them when there are so many people chiming in on your group chat. After all, they can’t speak up when you’re discussing your plans!
On a normal holiday, you might make plans for your pooch such as dog sitters or kennels. However, the turn of the year really isn’t the best time for them to be without their pawrents – given that so many people see it as an opportunity to set off loud fireworks.
If you don’t have a dog, be sure to check with anyone on your guest list that does. You wouldn’t want them dropping out once they realise dogs aren’t allowed – that is, if you’ve booked a holiday cottage where dogs aren’t allowed.
Fortunately, there are lots of dog-friendly holiday cottages to choose from, so you can make sure furry friends are welcome for the new year celebrations, if needed.
New Year holiday cottages – UK experts
Ready to book a new year holiday cottage in the UK? kate & tom’s can help. Our team of staycation experts has hand-picked the best holiday homes in England and Wales to make your search simple. Browse by size,location or feature to find the perfect holiday cottage for this New Year’s Eve – or next!
Need any more assistance? Email [email protected] and we’ll do whatever we can.
