January Cottage Holidays in Wales
Plan a post-Christmas holiday in Pembrokeshire to unwind and ease into the New Year
Despite the cooler temperatures and likely wetter weather, January is a fantastic time of year to get away for a little bit of me-time. November and December are often frantic in preparation for Christmas and the festive season itself is just as hectic. By the time you’ve done all of your Christmas shopping, visited all the family and attended all of the social events, it’s no wonder that you need a little bit of time to recharge.
And where better to recharge in January than with a cottage holiday in Wales? Pembrokeshire is the UK’s only coastal National Park, and we guarantee you will almost feel the stresses fading away as you drive into the county on your way to your holiday home.
Whilst the opportunity to recharge is understandably a huge appeal for January holidays, there are actually many reasons why you might wish to plan a vacation in this part of the world this month. Put a brand new spin on your New Year’s celebrations, enjoy a romantic break for Welsh Valentines Day or take advantage of our special offers.
Coastal Cottages Wales Cottage Holidays in January
Once the bustling Christmas season comes to an end, treat yourself to a relaxing getaway on the Pembrokeshire coast and a breath of fresh sea air.
New Year’s Day Swims
Shake away those Christmas cobwebs and brace yourself on the 1st January with a splash in the cold Welsh waters at one of Pembrokeshire’s New Year’s Day Swims. Very much like the Tenby Boxing Day Swim which takes place on North Beach on the 26th December, these swims see crowds of fearless bathers charge into the sea for a seawater dip.
These light-hearted community events are run as charity fundraisers, with participants raising sponsorship for their brave efforts. You’ll spot many dressed in all manner of fancy dress outfits, whilst others keep it simple with their summer bathing costumes.
Saundersfoot is probably the most well-known of the New Year’s Day Swims in the area, look out for the mascot Charlie Shivers on the shore! Whitesands near St Davids also hosts a swim on the 1st January, somewhat smaller than Saundersfoot’s but just as loved – local celebrity Jerome Flynn from Game of Thrones (or for the older generation, Soldier Soldier) has even been known to take part.
In Poppit Sands, there has been a sea swim on the first day of the year since the 1980s, whilst in recent years, the likes of Angle and Little Haven have also been known to hold their own New Year’s Day Swims.
Hen Galan, the Gwaun Valley’s New Year
Once upon a time, Wales used to follow the Julian calendar named after the Roman ruler Julius Caesar, but this was eventually cast aside in favour of the new Gregorian calendar we are all familiar with today. To rectify miscalculations in the Julian calendar, the Gregorian calendar was established in the mid 16th Century but one countryside community chose not to accept the change.
Deep in the heart of West Wales, you will find the rural district known as the Gwaun Valley. Despite much of Europe welcoming the calendar change, the Gwaun Valley decided not to embrace the new year planner – that is until they were forced to some 200 years later when the Julian calendar was officially abolished.
The 13th day of January as we know it now marks the beginning of the new year according to the Julian calendar, and whilst the Gwaun Valley do now synchronise their calendar with the rest of the world, they have kept some of the traditions from the olden days.
Still to this day the rural community here celebrate what is known as Hen Galan on the 13th January. Most unique is the custom of Mari Llwyd, where local men parade through the streets holding high a horse skull (made from wood in modern times) affixed to the top of a pole and decorated with adorning ribbons and flowers. Chanting as they march, they stop at houses along the way where residents are required to reply with a verse of their own – if they fail, the congregation head inside the house for food, drink and festivities. Celebrations also include children roaming the valley singing Welsh carols and folk songs in the hope of receiving “calennig”, sweets or money, from the crowds.
If you’re in the Gwaun Valley around Hen Galan, make sure to pop into the Dyffryn Arms aka Bessies, where the landlord Bessie Davies will serve you beers through an old-fashioned hatch. She’s a huge supporter of this long-standing tradition and locals say this is a must-do in January.
St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh Valentines Day
Another wonderful Welsh tradition is that of our Welsh Valentines Day. Celebrated annually on the 25th January, Welsh Valentines is known in Wales as St Dwynwen’s Day after a legendary tale about a female saint of the same name.
Saint Dwynwen (pronounced Doyn-wen) was one of 24 daughters of King Brychan Brycheinion but was said to be the most beautiful of them all. The folklore states that Dwynwen had fallen in love with the young prince Maelon Daffodril, but they were unable to be together as her father had already promised Dwynwen to another via an arranged marriage.
Distraught, Dwynwen fled to the woodland and prayed to forget Maelon and her love for him, thus ending the pain of her heartbreak. The fable then goes that God granted her wish and provided her with a potion which when she drank it, turned Maelon into a block of ice. In her cries to reverse this act, the curse was lifted and so Dwynwen vowed to devote her life to God. Ever since this 5th Century event took place, Dwynwen has been known to be the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers.
Lovers across the land still delight in celebrating this lesser-known story of love, and it has become customary in Wales to present your sweetheart with a hand-carved wooden lovespoon where the handles are carved into intricate Celtic designs.
Enjoy a romantic getaway for two with our Welsh Valentines Day breaks. Spend a cosy evening in with your partner in front of the fire, toast champagne and celebrate a surprise proposal, or unwind together in the warming bubbles of a hot tub. Take time off from day-to-day routines by sleeping in late, cooking breakfast together or dining in Pembrokeshire’s candlelit restaurants.
Go that extra step further with your celebrations and contact our Concierge team to help you amp up the romance. Add on a chilled bottle of champagne or ask us to source your favourite bottle of wine, order a hand-tied bouquet of your lover’s favourite flowers, or book a private chef for the evening to celebrate in style. You can even order a bespoke painting of your favourite landscape in Pembrokeshire which we will place in the cottage ready for your arrival - an ideal gift idea, or take your sweetheart for a once-in-a-lifetime flight through the skies.
King Henry VII’s birthday
This one might come as a little shock when glancing through this post, but did you know that King Henry VII was actually born in Pembroke Castle? Born on the 28th January 1457, Henry Tudor was born in one of the castle’s towers so why not celebrate his birthday with a visit to his birthplace?
At the time of his birth, Jasper Tudor held authority over Pembroke and the Castle and had welcomed in Henry’s mother after her husband died. In the now-named Henry VII Tower, you can see a tableau illustrating the birth. Less than thirty years later, Henry went on to establish the reign of the Tudor monarchy in Britain when he was coronated King after defeating Richard III during the Battle of Bosworth.
Holiday Cottage Special Offers
Locals and regular holidaymakers who stay with us rejoice when the quieter seasons come round, as they know about our low season special offers. In the beginning of the year between January and March (excluding February Half Term), you can book special short breaks at a selection of our holiday cottages across Pembrokeshire from as little £125.
Suitable for two people, these special offers allow you to get a discounted four-night break in this stunning part of West Wales where you can take advantage of the peaceful beaches, the tranquil shores and walk the less populated Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
