November Cottage Holidays in Wales

Book a restful coastal break or an early festive getaway with a November holiday

For a magical winter break, a cottage holiday in Wales this November is a must. Picture the quaint harbours, cobbled villages and seaside towns illuminated with streetlights a strong sense of tranquillity throughout the air.

Book a relaxing retreat spending your days curled up in front of the fire with your loved one, dining in cosy restaurants and country pubs. Plan a weekend getaway and tie your visit in with Guy Fawkes celebrations, one of Tenby’s November festivals or a Christmas market.

Bonfire Night

The 5^th November is best known as Bonfire Night across Britain; a night when crowds gather in their droves to stand in front of a roaring bonfire and look up to the skies for incredible fireworks displays. Make sure to wrap up warm with scarves and gloves, and carry a pocket full of change as you will no doubt want to purchase a warming cuppa or hot dog.

Many of the Bonfire Night celebrations in Pembrokeshire are arranged by the local communities, with a number of displays asking for no entry fee but instead a donation. Often these celebrations are spread across the few days surrounding the 5^th allowing you to attend two or three if you wish.

Saundersfoot annually hosts a Big Bang Weekend merging Halloween and Bonfire Night into one weekend-long party. Depending on dates you may find this weekend takes place in the last weekend of October or the first weekend of November. The harbour becomes home to a funfair and the fireworks displays (yes two!) take place over the water. In 2023, this is taking place on 27th and 28th October.

Carmarthen and Milford also host fireworks displays complete with family-friendly funfairs and refreshments available. Llys Y Fran Reservoir holds an annual bonfire and fireworks display, organised by the local Young Farmers Club whilst Solva and Whitland are also particularly popular displays in the area. As yet, Milford is the only one which has released 2023 dates and it will be taking place on 5th November.

Tenby Charity Beer, Cider & Prosecco Festival

During the first weekend of the month, the De Valence in Tenby puts on a Beer, Cider and Prosecco Festival. Arranged by the Tenby Round Table, this festival is a charity event across two days offering a wonderful chance to get together with friends.

As you might have guessed, on offer will be a selection of beers, ciders and prosecco provided by local and Welsh suppliers. You might even get to sample ales from the two brewing companies based in Tenby; Tenby Brewing Co. and Harbwr Brewery. Sporting fans will be pleased to know that the Round Table often screen live rugby as this event runs during the Autumn Internationals.

Being a charity event, much of the proceeds for this festival are donated to both small local charities and larger national charities, such as Bloodwise – the UK based blood cancer charity.

*This event takes place on 27th & 28th October in 2023*

Tenby Blues Festival

Merely a week or two later, this idyllic seaside town once again becomes home to a weekend festival, this time one which champions and celebrates all things blues music. During the Tenby Blues Festival, the town erupts with live music performances and concerts from several bands and musicians.

This music festival runs from Friday through to Sunday in mid-November and sees blues fans flock to the town for a weekend break. Purchase tickets in advance for one of the concerts at the De Valence located on Upper Frog Street or follow the Blues Trail through the town where you can settle down for a free performance at one of Tenby’s many make-shift music venues. Previous establishments on the Blues Trail have included the Lifeboat Tavern, Sandbar and Feccis.

Tickets are usually available online prior to the event, from around July onwards.

2023 dates for this event are the 9th to 12th November.

Christmas Markets

By the time November comes around, it’s time to make a start on the Christmas shopping and where better to begin than at one of Pembrokeshire’s delightful Christmas Markets? Towards the end of the month, you’ll discover festive fairs popping up at a selection of picturesque Pembrokeshire locations so make sure to pack your bag for life – you’ll need it!

On one of the later weekends of the month, Pembroke Castle opens its doors to visitors and shoppers for it’s annual Christmas Market. Beginning on the Friday, this event begins Santa Claus parading down Pembroke Main Street in his sleigh towards the grotto inside the castle. As you enter, you’ll find the fortress decked with fairy lights and fir trees, and the main lawn housing a marquee packed with gift stalls.

Lining the castle walls you will see hot food vendors offering refreshments of freshly made burgers, mulled wine and steaming coffee. This event is free entry, on a clear day we recommend taking the steps to the top of the castle walls for panoramic views across Pembroke. This event takes place between 24th and 26th November in 2023.

Around the end of the month, you’ll discover German-style wooden huts appear along the streets of St Catherine’s Walk in Carmarthen, inside which will be an abundance of local treats and handmade gifts. These pretty cabins offer homemade cakes, handcrafted woollen items, specially made art and more. Combine your visit to this festive fair with a visit to the relatively new Winter Wonderland at Carmarthen Park, or make sure to head in for the switching on of the Christmas lights when you’ll see music performances on Guildhall Square and a parade of Santa and his reindeers through the town.

The grand 13^th Century stately home at Picton Castle and Gardens hosts a Victorian Christmas Fair each year. Enjoy the mulled wine and mince pie included in the entry fee as you browse the gift stalls exhibiting throughout the corridors of this magnificent building. Stop off at Maria’s Restaurant and Deli for a bit to eat or an extra something to take home.

3 NIGHTS FREE: Book 7 Nights for the Price of 4

You can now enjoy a November break for even less with our 3 Nights Free Special Offer. When you book a week's stay at one of the participating cottages, you can now pay just the short break price effectively paying for 4 nights and receiving the remaining 3 nights for free. Make your money go a little further or add a little flexibility to your long weekend, either way - this is an irresistible deal!

To find out more and see a full list of participating cottages, head to our 3 Night Free Special Offer page here.

You'll be pleased to know, this offer doesn't just run in November. It runs throughout the low-season months from November 2023 to March 2024 (excluding Christmas, New Year and February Half Term) - perfect for a winter break. You can also take advantage of this offer in late 2024.

These tempting offers are a superb excuse to plan a last-minute getaway, a romantic break or even a staycation with a cottage just half an hour or so from where you live. If you’re Amroth born and bred, take advantage of the special offer and book a cottage in St Davids or Newport for the weekend, using your four nights to explore a part of Pembrokeshire you might not be so familiar with.

If you’re not local, use these peaceful November days to get a bit of rest and relaxation before the Christmas madness takes over. Contact our Concierge team to add on in-cottage massage, help you book a restaurant or point you in the right direction for a bespoke holiday experience.