Log cabins with hot tubs for Christmas and New Year

There is something about a log cabin at Christmas. Frost on the deck in the morning, the stove going all afternoon, and a hot tub under the stars once it gets dark, which in December is not long after four. If you want to swap a busy house for somewhere quiet this year, here is where to look and what to check before you book.

Every year we go to a cabin or a lodge just before Christmas. More often than not, six of us, sometimes eight or nine, plus Fonzi the Old English Sheepdog. Its a great way to get away for a relaxing long weekend before the hectic Christmas period of visiting family, friends and the regular consumption of the rich Christmas food. We did it for a couple of years and enjoyed it so much we have now done it for seven or eight years on the trot.

We have stayed at a number of lodges and cabins and always with a hot tub and they have to be pet friendly. From Forest Holidays in the north east and others in Lincolnshire. We try and change to somewhere new each year, just to mix it up and get a change of scenery. It’s great for all ages and the whole family enjoys this annual tradition.

Book sooner rather than later

Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the winter, and the cabins with hot tubs go first. Many parks also have set arrival days over the holidays and offer fixed breaks, often three or four nights, rather than any dates you choose. If you have your heart set on a particular area, it is worth booking now and checking the cancellation terms while you do.

What to check before you book

• The hot tub is ready in winter. Most are, but it is worth confirming it will be filled and heated for your stay, and whether it is private or shared.
• Heating and a log burner. A wood burner makes a winter cabin. Check whether logs are included or if you need to buy them on arrival.
• Arrival and departure days. Over Christmas and New Year these are often fixed, so make sure they suit your plans.
• Dogs. If the dog is coming too, check the cabin takes dogs and whether there is a limit or a charge. Fireworks around New Year can unsettle some dogs, so a quiet, rural spot can help.
• Shops and food. Rural shops close early or not at all on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Plan your food shop on the way, or check whether the park has a shop or a Christmas dinner on offer.
• Roads and weather. In the hills of Scotland, Wales and the north of England, winter weather can make the last few miles slow. Check the access road and allow extra time.

The Lake District

Lakes, fells and cosy pubs, with Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick close by for a festive day out. Cabins here make the most of the views, and a hot tub with a fell behind it is hard to beat on a clear winter night.

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See all hot tub cabins in Cumbria or log cabins near Windermere.

North Yorkshire

The North York Moors and the Dales are beautiful in winter, with steam trains, market towns and Whitby or York close enough for a Christmas outing. Plenty of cabins here have hot tubs and welcome dogs.

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See all hot tub cabins in North Yorkshire.

Northumberland

Big skies, empty beaches and some of the darkest night skies in England, thanks to the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. A clear New Year’s Eve in a hot tub here, looking up at the stars, is something else.

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See all hot tub cabins in Northumberland.

The Peak District

Easy to reach from much of England, with frosty walks, stone villages and country houses dressed up for Christmas. A good choice if you want a break without a long drive.

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See all hot tub cabins in Derbyshire.

Wales

From the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) to the quiet hills of mid Wales and the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales has cabins for every kind of winter break, many with hot tubs and room for the dog.

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See all hot tub cabins in Wales.

Scotland

For a proper winter escape, with a chance of snow on the hills and Hogmanay celebrations if you want them. Remember the days are short this far north, so plan your drive to arrive in daylight.

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See all hot tub cabins in Scotland.

A few things worth packing

• A small string of fairy lights or a few decorations, if the cabin is not already dressed for Christmas.
• Warm layers, boots and a head torch for dark evening walks.
• Swimming things and a dressing gown for the hot tub. Glass is usually not allowed around the tub, so plastic cups are handy.
• Board games or a pack of cards for the long evenings.

Still deciding where to go? Try the cabin finder, or browse every log cabin with a hot tub across the UK.