25th November 2021. Farm Stay, the market leader in UK farm holidays, is encouraging Brits to discover the magic of a countryside Christmas this year by spending the holidays with their nearest and dearest at one of their charming, rural properties. 

Having not been able to celebrate with our loved ones during the 2020 festive season, this year, why not get the whole clan together for a multi-generational trip to the countryside?

With close to 450 rustic and cosy farm houses, B & Bs and cottages across the country on their books, Farm Stay has a property for every group size or occasion. In the safety of their own 'Christmas bubble', families, groups of friends and couples can enjoy crisp countryside walks, chats around the fireplace, and hearty pub lunches when booking a farmhouse in one of the UK's most beautiful rural destinations. 

Below, the Farm Stay team has listed some of their most attractive properties with availability over the 2021 Christmas and New Year period.

La Retraite, Oxfordshire

Sleeps two people
From £130 for a short break

For the ultimate off-grid, romantic winter hideaway, La Retraite in Oxfordshire is a unique choice to enjoy a quiet Christmas. Situated in a secluded valley and by the side of a private lake, the octagonal wooden log cabin is located at the northern tip of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Infrared heating and a log burner will keep you cosy, while the wooden deck makes for a wonderful spot to enjoy some hot chocolate or mulled wine. In the surrounding area, guests will find several charming Cotswolds villages and excellent dining options. 

Pack your wellies and enjoy long walks in nature, before settling in at the Dun Cow Pub for a beer or the Bell at Shennington for a hearty lunch. The British Motor Museum, Broughton Castle and Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon are all just a short drive away. 

Ideal for couples, La Retraite could even offer the perfect spot for a Christmas proposal!

Nannerth Country Holidays, Wales

Sleeps: From two to 13 people
Prices starting from £325 for two people

Nannerth Country Holidays offer a selection of four-star cottages in the grounds of a traditional, 200-acre organic hill farm. 

Located in the Upper Wye Valley and only 3.5 miles northwest of the market town of Rhayader, guests enjoy direct access to the Elan Valley and the River Wye. The surrounding countryside wows with a variety of stunning rural scenes including traditional family farms, secret valleys, wild moorland and ancient woods. 

With exposed wooden beams, open-plan living spaces, woodburners and even private hot tubs, Nannerth offers the perfect winter hideaway for a cosy Christmas. The onsite games room and activities such as animal feeding, fishing, cycling, walking and star-gazing, there is plenty to do to keep the whole family entertained.

Glynn Barton Farm Cottages, Cornwall, England

Sleeps from two to 34 people
Prices starting from £605 for two people

Glynn Barton Farm Cottages are the epitome of countryside chic that offer plenty of space for the whole family to enjoy. 

There are eight lovingly restored cottages full of character, and even two 'glamping' safari tents complete with private hot tubs that romantic couples or Instagram-loving teens might enjoy. 

Within the 13-acre woodland grounds, there are plenty of activities and amenities that guests young and old will enjoy, such as an indoor swimming pool, a maze, a kids playroom, a giant fort, zipline, and more.

And that's not all. The Glynn Barton team organises weekly activities such as animal feeding sessions with pigs, donkeys and alpacas, treasure hunts and campfires with marshmallow roasting.

There are many fascinating attractions in the surrounding area, too. Enjoy a walk along the rugged Cornish coast, visit the regal Lanhydrock House or marvel at the famous Eden Project. Whatever the weather, there is plenty to do!

High Catton Grange Holiday Cottages, Yorkshire, England

Sleeps from two to 10 people
Prices start from £300 per week

The multi-award-winning High Catton Grange is set in a peaceful countryside location just minutes away from the historic city of York, but with easy access to the coast and moors. 

The cottages surrounding the 18th century farmhouse have all been refurbished to a high standard and come with their own private patios. In the surrounding area, there are plenty of stately homes and museums to explore, while keen walkers will enjoy exploring the Yorkshire Wolds Way national trail.

A great base from which the whole family can discover this magical area of England while enjoying all the creature comforts

Leanach Farm Cottage, Scotland

Sleeps up to four people
Prices start from £90 per night

Located just six miles from Inverness, Leanach Farm Cottage is a recently renovated, modern and cosy two-bedroom hideaway complete with plush king beds and a wood burner in the living room. It has a secure garden that kids can safely play in, and dogs are also welcome. 

From the cottage, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Culloden Viaduct. In the farm grounds, guests can meet four-legged friends such as donkeys, goats, horses, ponies and chickens. 

The area is wonderful for long country walks, with the nearby Culloden Moor Inn recommended for a tasty meal to refuel. The property is also close to the historic Culloden Battlefield and Bronze Age Clava Cairns ruins. 

- Ends - 

Notes to Editors 

Media Contact 

For further information, hi-res imagery or case studies of farm stays elsewhere in the UK, please email:

Olivia Ebeling, Rural Roots Account Manager: olivia@rural-roots.co.uk 
Megan Allen, Rural Roots Account Director: megan@rural-roots.co.uk   

About Farm Stay 

Farm Stay is one of a handful of the original listing sites created in the 1980s. It is an ethical not-for-profit farmer-owned consortium dedicated to market holidays on working farms and countryside accommodation, helping members increase occupancy rates and boost their revenue streams. Farmers benefit from commission-free listings while holiday makers book directly, enabling a better deal for the farms and a great deal for guests. 

Accommodation was, as the name suggests, originally farm-based, either self-catering or bed and breakfasts. Old-fashioned campsites were also included. Today, Farm Stay has over 420 accommodation listings, from traditional cottage to converted barns or lakeside wooden retreats to secluded shepherd's huts, bell tents and glamping pods  

As well as a go-to information site for beautiful rural properties, Farm Stay provides a wealth of information about each county and the new website provides suggested places to stay for visitor attractions, national parks and places of special interest. 

Farm Stay farms are located in some of the most attractive rural spots in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Each one ideal for a quiet countryside break with all the benefits of fresh air, invigorating views, and opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities, whether on the farm itself, or close by. Families love the opportunity to learn about farming life and, in some cases, interact with livestock.  

Farm Stay UK is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. When it was founded in 1983, it was known as The Farm Holiday Bureau and consisted of 23 local groups. Leadership and support were provided by agricultural advisory body ADAS which was financed by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (now DEFRA), the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the National Tourist Boards including the British Travel Association and the Farmers Weekly publication. 

Farm Stay charges its owners an annual subscription starting from £299 for one property, bed and breakfast room, or glamping site — there is no hidden commission to Farm Stay members and guests are encouraged to book online directly with the owner. Membership fees are ploughed back into promoting members, agritourism and agricultural education, which is at the heart of everything the organisation does. New members are added to the site every year.