New Year is a good excuse for a few days away, whether you’re planning a romantic escape for two, getting the family together or rounding up a group of friends.

Our New Year holiday homes in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset give you somewhere special to see in the new year, from cosy cottages by the coast to larger houses made for getting everyone together. Add a hot tub, a sea view or a woodburner and you’ve got all the ingredients for a pretty good way to start January.

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Visit the South West for New Year

There’s something extra special about spending New Year away from home. You can get out for a winter walk, find a good pub for lunch, explore a coastal town and then come back to your holiday home for the evening.

The South West is particularly good for a winter escape. The beaches are quieter, the coast paths are still there to explore and towns such as St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay and Brixham have plenty going on without the summer crowds.

You don’t have to make a big night of it either. Cook a favourite dinner, open something bubbly, put some music on and stay up until midnight. Or head out to a local celebration and make your holiday home the place to come back to afterwards.

Whether you’re looking for a New Year break in Cornwall, Devon or Somerset, a few days away gives you time to enjoy more than just the one night.

New Year Cottages with Hot Tubs

If there was ever a good time for a hot tub, it’s probably New Year. Coming back from a cold walk, getting into the warm and spending the evening outside under the stars adds to the magic of the occasion.  Our collection of New Year cottages with hot tubs includes properties around the South West, from coastal cottages to larger holiday homes for families and groups.

Why choose a New Year cottage with a hot tub?

A hot tub gives you another reason to stay in and enjoy your holiday home. Spend the day walking the coast, exploring a nearby town or taking the dog out, then come back for a warm soak before dinner. Some of our larger properties also combine hot tubs with big kitchens, dining spaces and plenty of room to relax, making them particularly good for New Year get-togethers.

Dog-Friendly Holiday Homes for New Year

There’s no reason your dogs should miss out on a New Year break! A winter holiday in the South West is ideal for getting out for walks, whether that’s along the coast, across the countryside or on one of the many dog-friendly beaches around Devon and Cornwall.

Choose a dog-friendly New Year cottage and you can spend the day exploring together before settling in for the evening. There are also plenty of dog-friendly pubs and places to eat across the region, so you don’t necessarily have to leave your four-legged member of the family behind.
Our collection makes it easy to find a holiday home where dogs are welcome. Just remember to check the individual property details, as dog policies and garden arrangements vary between homes.

New Year Properties for Large Groups

New Year is a good time to bring everyone together, particularly if you don’t see the whole family or your friends as often as you’d like. A large holiday home means everyone can stay under one roof. You have your own kitchen, somewhere to sit together and, importantly, the freedom to spend the evening however you want.

Some of our larger properties have big dining tables for long dinners, generous living spaces, gardens or hot tubs. Others are simply lovely, spacious houses where everyone has room to spread out. If you’re looking for somewhere for a family get-together or a group of friends, have a look at our large homes for New Year.

Celebrate New Year in Devon, Cornwall or Somerset

Where you spend New Year probably comes down to what sort of break you’re after. Cornwall is hard to beat if you want beaches, coastal towns and plenty of places to eat and drink. Devon gives you a choice of dramatic coastline, sandy beaches, pretty seaside towns and countryside. Somerset is a little different, with rolling countryside, historic towns like Wells and Wedmore, as well as country pubs.

Whichever you choose, New Year is a lovely time to see the South West from a different perspective.

New Year in Devon

Devon works particularly well if you want to mix coast and countryside. North Devon has wide sandy beaches and dramatic stretches of coastline, while South Devon is dotted with pretty coves, harbours and seaside towns. The festive season is a great time for a proper winter beach walk, particularly when the summer crowds have disappeared. You might get a crisp, bright morning, or you might get the full windswept experience!

For a little inspiration, our winter beach guide has plenty of ideas for enjoying the coast in the colder months, from bracing dog walks and beachcombing to storm watching and warming up with lunch afterwards. And if a cosy pub is an important part of your New Year plans, there are plenty around Devon where you can settle in after a winter walk.

 

New Year in Cornwall

If your idea of a New Year break involves being close to the sea, Cornwall is a pretty good place to start.

Spend New Year walking along the beach, exploring a harbour town, stopping for lunch somewhere cosy and then heading out for dinner and drinks in the evening. Cornwall’s quieter winter beaches are also perfect for a bit of beachcombing – after all, you never know what the tide might have brought in.

Our guide to Where to Find Driftwood in Cornwall has some of our favourite spots for finding driftwood and other beach treasures, including Lantic Bay, Longrock, Praa Sands, Duckpool and Gyllyngvase. And if you’re bringing the dog, our guide to Our Favourite Dog-Friendly Beach Cafés has some excellent places to warm up after a wintry walk, including spots at Praa Sands, Poldhu Cove, Watergate Bay and Blackpool Sands in Devon.

New Year in Somerset

Somerset offers something a little different for a New Year escape. Still within driving distance of the sea, you can head into the countryside and spend a few days exploring pretty villages, historic towns and the Somerset Levels before coming back to your holiday home for a quiet evening.

It’s a good choice if you want your New Year to feel relaxed rather than busy. Think countryside walks, long lunches, good pubs and evenings spent around the fire or in a hot tub.

Things to Do on New Year Day

You don’t have to plan every minute of your New Year break. Start with a lie-in, make a late breakfast and see where the day takes you. If the weather is good, head out for a walk along the coast or take the dog to the beach. If it’s not, find a good café, visit a gallery or simply stay put and enjoy your holiday home.

Some of the best New Year day activities in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset are the simplest ones:

Go for a winter walk

The South West Coast Path is a great place to start the year. Covering 630 miles of coastline between Minehead and Poole, it gives you plenty of opportunities for fresh air, sea views and, of course, exercise. We recommend reading our guide to our team’s favourite walks in Devon and Cornwall.

Take the dog to the beach

Winter is a particularly good time to visit a beach with your dog. From Easter to end September, many of Devon and Cornwall’s beaches have restrictions or dog bans. However, from October to mid-April most beaches give dogs free rein, which means you can enjoy some of the UK’s best beaches with your furballs.

Explore a seaside town

One of the nicest things about being in the South West over New Year is seeing the seaside towns without the summer crowds. St Ives, Mousehole, Fowey, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth are all lovely for a wander, with harbours to explore, little shops and galleries to dip into and plenty of places to stop for coffee or lunch.

St Ives is particularly good for a winter day. You can walk around the harbour, wander along Porthmeor or Porthminster, pop into a gallery and then find somewhere warm for lunch. Our 48 Hours in St Ives guide has lots more ideas for making the most of your time there.

If you’re staying elsewhere in Cornwall or Devon, have a look at our 48 Hours In guides for more ideas on where to eat, walk and explore. They’re a good starting point if you want to get out and about but don’t want to spend your holiday planning every detail.

Find a good pub for lunch

After a cold walk, there are few things better than finding a cosy pub, ordering something hearty and settling in for a long lunch. Whether you’re after a proper roast, fish and chips or simply a pint by the fire, New Year day is a good excuse to take your time.

If you’re bringing the dog, we’ve also put together some of our favourite dog-friendly walks with foodie stops, so you can combine a good walk with somewhere to eat afterwards. There are routes around Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, including walks from St Ives to Lelant and from Holywell Bay to Crantock.

Just remember that New Year day opening hours can be different from normal, so it’s worth checking with the pub or restaurant before you set off – particularly if you’re planning lunch somewhere popular.

Or simply stay in

It’s one of the advantages of booking a holiday cottage rather than filling your trip with plans. You can decide what sort of day you want when you wake up.

Go Out for New Year or Stay In?

You could spend the evening in a restaurant or local pub, head into town for the celebrations and see in the new year surrounded by other people.

Or you could stay in.

Cook something you really like, open a bottle of something good, get everyone around the table and make the most of having your own space. If you’ve chosen a cottage with a hot tub, you could even spend some of the evening outside before settling down for midnight.

Neither is better. That’s the beauty of having your own holiday home – you can decide when you get there.

New Year Holiday Cottage FAQs

  • Where is the best place to spend New Year in Cornwall?

    It depends on the sort of escape you’re looking for. Newquay, Truro and St Ives are perfect if you’re looking for a wide range of restaurants and pubs, while other coastal towns like Fowey, Mousehole and Marazion offer a quieter way to see in the new year.

  • Can you stay in a holiday cottage between Christmas and New Year?

    Yes, many holiday homes are available for breaks between Christmas and New Year (Twixmas), although the dates, minimum stays and arrival days vary between properties.

    If you’re looking specifically for a stay over New Year, it’s worth booking early as this is a popular time of year, however we have many last minute breaks available for the period too.

     

  • How long should you stay for a New Year break?

    A long weekend can work well if you’re mainly looking to celebrate New Year, while three or four nights gives you time to explore the area as well. If you’re travelling with a group or family, a longer stay also means you don’t have to pack everything into one day.

  • Are there New Year cottages with hot tubs?

    Yes. We have holiday homes with private hot tubs available across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Availability varies by property and date, so check the individual property details when choosing your New Year cottage.

  • Can I book a New Year lodge with a hot tub?

    Some of our lodges have hot tubs, as well as cottages and larger holiday homes. Our Luxury Lodges collection is a good place to start if you’re specifically looking for a lodge.

  • Can I bring my dog to a New Year cottage?

    Yes, we have dog-friendly holiday homes across the Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Individual properties have their own dog policies, so check the details of the property you’re interested in before booking.

  • Where is the best place to spend New Year in Devon?

    Devon works well for all sorts of New Year breaks. You could choose a lively coastal town like Brixham and Torquay, a quieter seaside village like Budleigh Salterton or Croyde, or a lakeside destination like Roadford Lake where the plan is simply to spend time together.

  • What events are happening in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset on New Year's Eve?

    Events change from year to year, so it’s best to check local town, tourism and venue websites closer to the time. Visit Devon, Visit Somerset and Visit Newquay are packed with calendar highlights. Many coastal towns have their own celebrations, while pubs and restaurants often put on special New Year evenings.

  • What is there to do in St Ives on New Year?

    You can spend the day exploring the beaches and harbour, walk along the coast, visit galleries and shops, have dinner in town and then join the local New Year celebrations. Staying in a St Ives holiday cottage also means you can make the evening as relaxed or as lively as you like.

     

  • Are New Year cottage breaks available for large groups?

    Absolutely! We have larger holiday homes suitable for families and groups of friends, although the number of guests and bedrooms varies between properties. Some also have features such as hot tubs, games rooms and large dining spaces.

     

  • Can I book a last-minute New Year cottage?

    Yes, although we suggest booking sooner rather than later for the best chance to nab your favourite cottage.

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