Growing up on the outskirts of London, there was always something so special about sneaking away to the countryside for a long weekend, spending a blissful few days with family among the quaint cobbled streets of the Cotswolds: a region in the South West of England known for its charming rural villages. At Christmas, the little towns are lined with warm fairy lights, families head out for evening strolls with hot chocolates in hand and their dog in a knitted sweater, church bells sing in the distance, and there is no sight more magical than this. A Cotswolds Christmas is so much more than a place; it’s a feeling of quaintness and cosiness, and a revival of that childhood wonder we felt around Christmas time, like the homeliness of a London pub on a winter evening, or cooking a winter meal with friends. Here’s how you can weave this winter lifestyle into your home and daily life this Christmas, without setting foot in the Cotswolds.
Creating your own traditions and borrowing from older ones are among the most special parts of a countryside Christmas. The Cotswolds have a rich history of Christmas traditions, from ghost stories to the ubiquitously well-loved carol singing. Grab some friends and join a carol singing group, which you can find through your local church or charity (which might seem like more fun after a few glasses of mulled wine). Although these old traditions can be fun, I encourage you to create traditions of your own. Whether it’s a new dish you bake every Christmas or a Christmas Eve craft night, these traditions foster priceless memories and togetherness that lies at the heart of a magical Christmas.
The English countryside is synonymous with fashion. From timeless brands like Barbour, Ralph Lauren, and Hunter, to the classic silhouettes of the green country jacket and wellington boots, fashion is a staple of the quaint English countryside winter. The allure of the country aesthetic can be seen in St Andrews student fashion must-haves, so you may already recognise these pieces from your Scottish wardrobe. I recently purchased this jacket, which I have worn continuously over the last few months, and anticipate I’ll be wearing it over Christmas too (M&S has some stylish winter jackets I recommend checking out!). For the winter walks and trips to the pub, Wellington boots are another essential (and can be repurposed for next year’s Welly Ball too!). I love my Hunter wellies, and these Joules green wellies are on my wishlist too. Now, pair your jacket and your boots with your favourite pair of jeans, a warm knitted jumper, a cute scarf, and you’re officially Cotswolds Christmas ready. Check out this HC article for some inspo on layering during the colder months.
Now you’re styled for the season, here’s an afternoon activity to help you embrace the cosy, quaint Christmas lifestyle while looking like you just stepped out of Kate Winslet’s cottage on The Holiday. My favourite part of the Cotswolds (and the countryside in general) is the simple joy of being outside, testing out new footpaths through the fields or visiting your local forest. We spend so much time slouched on the sofa or desk indoors- especially when this colder weather makes the outside seem far more daunting than usual- that we often forget what a refreshing, simple pleasure it is to head out on a walk. My family has a Christmas Day tradition of bundling up in hats and scarves and heading out, hot chocolates in hand, to our local country park, and it’s one of my favourite moments of Christmas time. Make a batch of hot chocolate, bottle it in a thermos, and choose your favourite hike, or use the AllTrails app to research a new route through a forest or field near you (bonus points if there’s a cafe nearby to pick up a warm cinnamon roll). Don’t forget to invite your friends, family,and dogs in the neighbourhood- a countryside Christmas is all about community, and sharing these moments with friends and family is what makes them treasurable.
The tastes and scents of a countryside Christmas, think seasonal flavours, toasty cinnamon, and pine trees, can be recreated anywhere to pull you into the atmosphere and to make your home feel like a thatched-roof cottage. My family’s mulled wine recipe is the perfect winter warmer for nights in with friends by the fire, playing a board game or two. Gently simmer red wine with orange peel, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and a couple of spoons of honey (measuring with your heart!) until you have a spicy, sweet treat that tastes like Christmas in a cup. To pair with your mulled wine, seasonal cooking can be a fun and delicious way to experiment with winter’s menu. Head to the farmer’s market or farm shop and gather ingredients for a delicious, hearty recipe like this potato and leek pie, and invite your friends over for a night of wine, cooking, and games. I love the idea of a simmer pot: gathering natural ingredients like dried orange, cranberries, rosemary, and apple, placing them in a big pot, and keeping them on a low simmer as the delicious winter smell lingers in your home. Try this easy recipe that will leave your home smelling like warm apple pie and Scots pine.
Wherever you are over Christmas, my main tip for decorating your home for a countryside-inspired winter is to bring the outside in. Pine cones, mini Christmas trees (Sainsbury’s in St A is currently selling them for £3!), or handmade decorations to sprinkle across your home; anything you pick up on your wintry walk can be repurposed as Christmas decor for that homely vibe, whilst sparing your wallet and the planet from unnecessary plastic. These pinecone and orange decorations are adorable and on my to-do list once December hits. All you need is some string, pine cones, dried orange, and burlap ribbon. Tie the string around the base of the pine cone, then thread it through the orange and tie a bow on top… voilà. You can use these to decorate your Christmas tree, or even place them on windowsills or bookshelves to give your home that cottage-in-the-woods vibe.
Importantly, the definition of a Cotswolds Christmas is not restricted to its charming aesthetics. It’s an experience of community, slowing down, and creating poignant Christmas memories that evoke the nostalgic warmth of Christmas time. These colder months can be challenging, and the winter blues are definitely kicking in here in St Andrews. The skies are now dark when we leave the lecture hall at 5 pm and we find ourselves wrapped in layers of thermals underneath our jeans to try and stay warm. Embracing the little ways to make this time feel more magical is the key to finding joy in the everyday and reconnecting with that childhood wonder of Christmas.