There is something about the turning of a year that makes us pause.

For a few days, the usual rhythm of life begins to soften. Christmas has passed, the diary is a little quieter and, before the new year properly begins, there is a small window in which to look back at where we’ve been and think about where we’d like to go next.

Perhaps that is why New Year has become so closely associated with resolutions.

We promise ourselves that this will be the year we exercise more, travel more, spend more time with family, learn something new or finally make space for the things that matter.

But perhaps the beginning of a new year doesn’t need to be about making a long list of things to change.

Perhaps it can simply be about taking the time to notice what you already have.

If you’re looking for a Christmas or New Year cottage stay in Cheshire, it’s the perfect time to step away from everyday life and enjoy a slower pace surrounded by countryside, fresh air and the people who matter most.

Set within acres of parkland and ancient woodland on the Cheshire–Shropshire border, Combermere Abbey’s luxury self-catering cottages offer something that can be increasingly difficult to find in everyday life: space.

How Will You Celebrate the New Year?

For some, New Year’s Eve is all about gathering people together.

A long table filled with friends, delicious food, music, games and a countdown to midnight.

For others, it’s a family occasion. Children staying up late, grandparents around the table and everyone raising a glass together.

And then there are those who prefer something altogether quieter.

A favourite meal. A bottle of something special. A roaring fire. A countryside walk on New Year’s Day.

Perhaps midnight arrives with a kiss, a toast and a sky full of stars rather than a crowded dance floor.

There is no right way to welcome a new year. At Combermere Abbey, your stay doesn’t have to follow a formula.

The question is simply: How would you like to begin yours?

Start the Year with an Adventure

One of the joys of a winter stay in Cheshire is making the most of the great outdoors.

Shake off the post-New Year cobwebs with a peaceful woodland walk through the estate, head out for an invigorating run, or enjoy a some friendly competition at Park View Padel – Combermere’s newest estate business, with two indoor courts just a short walk from the cottages.

Whether you’re looking to slow down or start the year feeling energised, you’ll find plenty of ways to make the most of your stay.

Dog-Friendly New Year Breaks

New Year is all about bringing people together, and that includes the four-legged members of the family.

Every Combermere cottage is dog friendly, so your canine companions can enjoy the countryside escape too.

With acres of woodland to explore and our No Fireworks Policy across the estate, it’s a peaceful and relaxing setting for everyone.

Explore Cheshire During Your Stay

A stay at Combermere Abbey doesn’t mean you have to stay put.

Perfectly positioned on the Cheshire–Shropshire border, the estate is an ideal base for exploring some of the region’s most charming destinations.

Spend an afternoon wandering the independent shops and cafés of Nantwich, discover the characterful market town of Whitchurch, or venture a little further to explore Chester, cosy country pubs and beautiful countryside walks.

Whether you’re planning a festive getaway, a New Year break in Cheshire or simply a relaxing winter escape, there’s plenty to discover beyond the estate gates.

A New Year, A New Perspective

As one year ends and another begins, there’s no better time to slow down, reconnect and make space for what matters.

Get outside.
Make memories around the table.
Laugh over board games.
Explore the woodland.
Wake slowly on New Year’s Day.

Then step into the year ahead feeling refreshed, with a little more space, a little more perspective and perhaps your next adventure already in the diary.

Make Combermere Abbey your place to pause, reconnect and start the new year differently. From cosy cottages and countryside walks to discovering the estate and everything there is to explore nearby, a New Year stay at Combermere is more than a break, it’s time to simply be together.