What’s more magical to children than the snowy white footprints left behind on the hearth, or seeing leftover mince pie crumbs on Christmas morning? Well, there are the presents of course, but there’s also the knowledge that Santa came down their chimney to deliver their gifts… And these homes will put a real twinkle in their eye.
The Chantry, Honiton, Devon
The Chantry was once what it says it is, built in the early 1500s for Alice and John Bonville, with a resident priest to pray for their souls. In 1547, however, chantries were abolished. Now, the building is a grand five-bedroom house.
Dress up the stone fireplace in the hall with knitted stockings and rich, green decorations. Find out more about decking the halls with greenery from your garden here: /17276-2/
If you have a spare £800,000, this home is on the market through Humberts: http://www.humberts.com/property-to-buy/devon-honiton-ex14/hon150179/
Old Timbers, Suffolk
Do you enjoy a quiet, romantic Christmas morning? If so, this is the home for you – Old Timbers is a cosy three-bedroom Tudor farmhouse with striking timber beams. But the magic of this property really is in the bedroom…
The master suite comprises a beautiful vaulted room with an open fireplace and tiled hearth. Store logs beside the fire for a relaxed start to the day.
The house is on the market for £499,950 with David Burr: http://webcdn1.jupix.co.uk/v3/clients/424/properties/389449/MED_389449_237505.pdf
Uchel Dref, Corwen, Wales
Uchel Dref boasts not one but three reception rooms and six bedrooms – could this place already be any more perfect for family Christmases? Well, yes it can. Although the 16th-century farmhouse has many a-chimney, multi-fuel stoves block the fireplaces in the two sitting rooms.
Santa Claus will have to pick the open fire in the dining room, where you and your family can sit back and enjoy a hearty Christmas dinner before walking it off on the acre of land outside.
This property also has a detached stone building and is valued at £499,950 through Halls: http://hallsgb.com/properties/uchel-dref-pencoed-pencoed-corwen-ll21-9dd/
The Old Manse, Alness, Ross-shire
Can’t decide what to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve? Check The Old Manse’s wine cellar and you’re sure to find something that’ll warm his nose! The Georgian house has been renovated to a Victorian style after a fire, making for a traditional and classic setting.
Santa will likely choose between the fireplaces in the two reception rooms, or maybe resurrect the unused hearths in two of the five bedrooms!
What’s more, Santa could even find himself in the boathouse, although we’re not sure he’ll have time for a ride on the waters of Cromarty Firth. CKD Galbraith is accepting offers of over £395,000: http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/inv120175-old-manse-alness-ross-shire-iv17-0xg
Have you polished off your hearth in preparation? You don’t have long!