Winter breaks in the West Country…

Jack Frost’s arrival heralds a period of peace and tranquillity on the moors and coastal paths of the West Country: the perfect time to enjoy a restful break at a cottage in a pretty village, off the beaten track or by the sea.

Wander through crisp woods or along a beach. Spend a lazy afternoon with the papers beside a blazing fire at a country pub or in the comfort of your cottage. Relax and revitalize before or after the Christmas revelry.

Our portfolio remains marvellously varied and widely spread throughout Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

2, 3 or 4 night short breaks are available at many of our cottages from November through to the week before Easter, excluding school holidays. Don’t forget, you can relax and enjoy a late check-out for 2-night weekend breaks (Friday and Saturday nights) and stay at most properties until 6pm on Sunday.

Whether you’re looking for a cottage for a romantic retreat, a bolt hole for some bracing walking or a big house for a celebration with friends and family, our telephone team can personally recommend hundreds of warm, comfy, reliable properties.

To help you make a good choice, take advantage of our expertise and call us on 01647 433593.

What’s on your Christmas and New Year checklist?

Are you one of those people who likes to rigorously plan their Christmas & New Year? Do you have a long to-do list of present-buying, food-shopping and card-writing? Sometimes it can seem too much like hard work!

For a truly magical Christmas and New Year, why not get away to a cottage in the wonderful West Country? Whether you’re looking to escape or entertain, you can be sure of making it memorable with a change of scene.

If you’re the type who likes to escape, we’ll help you find hideaways. Once there, grab scarves and hats for a blustery moorland walk and a pint at a fire-warmed pub. Try this for a more enjoyable checklist: stroll coast-path; ice-skate at Eden; grab your wetsuit and brave the Christmas Day surf, or just toast your toes beside the fire, put on the TV and relax.

We have lots of properties ideal for entertainers too - If you’re a crowd, book with us to enjoy some additional elbow room. Here your checklist is slightly different but just as much fun: set the table, cook the goose, fluff the potatoes, mash the swede (plenty of black pepper and butter) and light the candles.

So if either of those checklists sound appealing, do browse our cottages with availability at Christmas and New Year.

Our big houses are popular for family gatherings and get booked up fast so it’s also worth taking a look at our holiday homes sleeping 12 or more available for Christmas and New Year.

Go large in 2011 with one of our big houses…

For those with bigger broods or grand ambitions, a big house can provide enough space for a special family reunion, a weekend with friends, or even a wedding. The West Country has a fantastic array of huge houses in beautiful locations, and we're lucky enough to have a wide variety of them on our books.

Secluded farmhouses, historic manor houses, vast converted barns, seaside houses overlooking delightful beaches - all are available to rent through Helpful Holidays for your exclusive use.

Don't be fooled by the name, because Little Bocombe in north Devon sleeps 14 in a big detached house and separate cottage chalet. This Arts and Crafts style Grade II listed house is comfortable and very welcoming. It has a proper big house feel, with a big hall-cum-dining room with original floorboards, and an equally big fitted kitchen with an oil-fired Aga. Two sitting rooms, both with open fires, have lovely garden views. Upstairs there's four bedrooms, with another two in the cottage chalet. There's a spacious feel outside too, with the property surrounded by 9 acres of mature gardens, daffodil woods and pasture.

Sheafhayne, in east Devon, is a superbly positioned, Grade II listed, Elizabethan manor house, formerly Sir Francis Drake’s shooting lodge. This is an incredibly grand place. As soon as you enter through the big stone entrance porch and heavy ribbed oak door, you'll see why it was likened by the Sunday Times to ‘a full-sized game of Cluedo’. 24 people can be easily housed amongst these regal surroundings, which include a huge, medieval, walk-in ornamental fireplace, a billiard room, William Morris-designed wallpaper, a piano, a four door Aga, a proper old-fashioned larder/wine store and former butler’s pantry, four staircases, eleven bedrooms, five bathrooms and four shower-rooms. You could easily get lost in here!

Brimpts Farm is set on the hillside above Dartmeet, Dartmoor, and is one of five ancient tenements of the moor, passing to the Duchy of Cornwall in 1307. 700 acres of forests, tors, stone circles, East Dart river and open moor encircle a farmhouse and a huge, L-shaped, detached barn which has been converted into accommodation for as many as 32 people if you are prepared to bunk up, otherwise for 20 very comfortably. Part of the joy of staying here is the range of activities available, including farm tours by Landrover, climbing and abseiling instruction, guided walks, mountain biking tours, pony riding and orienteering, all set in the most beautiful countryside. If you prefer more gentle recreation, the farm has a number of scenic walks and a large hot tub and sauna to relax in.

Read more about our big houses and find one that's just right for your special occasion. They are very popular throughout the year, so be sure to book well in advance.

Tretawn, a gem in north Cornwall...

Tretawn is a handsome 16th/17th century manor house surrounded by five acres of garden and woodland, just outside St Kew in north Cornwall.

Sleeping 14, the house is spacious and comfortable with a warm, homely atmosphere. It is steeped in history with many original features and has retained all of its charm and character despite modernisation.

Its caring owners have just added a brand new swimming pool, complete with changing room and shower, for guests to enjoy. The pool is connected to the original games room, and together with the lounge, creates an excellent recreation area. Outside, there's more than enough space for energetic youngsters or a gentle stroll.

There's plenty to keep you entertained at this property, but you're also in an ideal spot to explore further afield. Spend a day on the beach at splendid Polzeath or more intimate Port Gaverne, visit legendary Tintagel Castle or perhaps cycle along the Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow?

Tretawn is an exceptional family house, very private and ideal for large gatherings and celebrations.

Read the comments of holidaymakers who have stayed here.