Take the hassle out of the holiday period by renting one of these beautiful stately homes in the countryside
Christmas can be a testing period for even the most close-knit of families with potential flashpoints arising at every turn, from who takes ownership of the remote control to who tackles the mountain of washing up.
With this in mind, the opportunity to take the heat out of the decision-making process by renting a beautiful stately home over the Christmas/New Year period is not to be passed up lightly.
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Lavish properties with room for family and friends can all be rented with the click of a button. Here's a selection of luxury properties around the UK:
Churchill House, Blenheim, Oxfordshire
Enjoy the luxury and ambience of Churchill House in the sumptuous grounds of Blenheim Palace Park, home to the Churchill family and birthplace of Sir Winston, its most celebrated scion.
Boasting six bedrooms and sleeping up to 15 guests, it provides comfortable, modern interiors in a traditional setting.
There's a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, games room, gym and cinema - not to mention stunning walks around the estate.
With the university city of Oxford only a short drive away, Churchill House offers everything to sooth and stimulate the body and mind.
Renovated to the highest standards in 2009, Cornwall's Pentillie Castle houses up to 20 adults and stands in more than 500 acres of park and woodlands – making it completely secluded, visible only from the nearby River Tamar. Watch out for the deer, buzzards and resident peacocks.
Additional catering, including three-course dinner and self-serve supper, is available for a supplement. Order your drinks from the excellent wine list compiled by a local master of wine.
A classic stately home in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Broughton Hall means traditional comfort in a setting that begs the visitor to roam the estate's 3,000 acres and the rolling landscape beyond.
This Grade I-listed home includes an exquisite red drawing room, a billiards room and a charming Victorian conservatory. The 13 bedrooms in the Main Hall sleep up to 25, while bedrooms in the Penthouse and Chapel Flat house a further nine.
Would-be Jamie Olivers can take advantage of the well-equipped kitchen, or visitors can take advantage of the inhouse catering service.
Kincardine is a spectacular Victorian castle set in a 3,000-acre estate and overlooking Royal Deeside - one of Scotland's most beautiful regions and home to the Queen's Balmoral estate.
Specialising in fully catered house parties, it offers a homely family atmosphere that combines grandeur and informality. The gardens are varied and extensive.
The castle sleeps up to 27 in 16 bedrooms, 13 with en suite bathrooms. All meals are included and the dining room provides a splendid setting for formal meals.
Price: From £7,000 for a two-night weekend (not at maximum capacity)
Approaching Anglesey Castle, a sumptuous property in the ornate French Gothic style, you'll imagine you're about to enter a French chateau in the Loire valley.
The interior boasts four large, elegant reception rooms, complemented by a grand hall. Why not wander outside through the listed gardens and down to the private jetty? If you're feeling energetic, the property includes a tennis court and private beach.
Up to 80 guests are welcome in the wood-panelled banqueting hall, which is ideal for any celebration. The head chef promises a gastronomic feast to satisfy all tastes. The main house sleeps up to 32 guests, and all rooms offer use of hot tub, wine cellar and games rooms.
Situated in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside, August House sleeps up to 14 guests across two huge floors. It has recently been remodelled with an emphasis on creating an inviting, light and spacious home, perfect for entertaining guests this Christmas.
Downstairs, there are two reception rooms featuring contemporary fireplaces alongside a kitchen/breakfast room with enough space for the whole family to eat and relax. Upstairs, there is a vast playroom ready-made for all the excitement of present opening on Christmas morning.
Those with green fingers will be pleased to note the property comes with its own vegetable garden and a paddock – while to the south of the property there is a small area of woodland, perfect for a Boxing Day walk.
This delightful house features eight bedrooms (sleeping up to 12 guests) set within a private hamlet in Buckinghamshire, just one mile from Stowe.
If isolation is what you're after this Christmas, Boycott Manor provides excellent facilities in a peaceful setting, with a tennis court, fully-equipped gym, extensive grounds and a cinema.
The property boasts four huge reception rooms allowing families to spread out across the building. The house also features plenty of character with roaring fires and quirky decor – look out for the stuffed crocodile that greets guests with a tray as they ascend the staircase – alongside themed rooms that are sure to keep kids (and big kids) entertained.
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