January is a great time for a relaxing staycation by the sea. Bracing walks followed by cosying up in front of an open fire is the ideal way to start the year. Here are some of our favourite picture-perfect cottages to rent for your first break of 2026

Susan Taylor celebrates New Year in Cornwall with bracing walks and fancy dress I could feel it in the air – almost reach out and touch it. Not the wind and rain; even that was strangely quiet, mirror

Even the swankiest islands have a scattering of smaller, more affordable stays – if you know where to look. Luckily, Lucy Thackray does

Take your pick from our edit of fabulous flight-free English breaks

From a 17th-century country house to a small but idyllic clifftop retreat, Amy McPherson compiles some of the best coastal properties currently for sale

Smytham Holiday Park is a relaxing affair, but with plenty on site to entertain, too. There’s an outdoor pool, a games room, play area, a family-friendly bar, a shop, a dog wash, and a dog exercise pa