Christmas at Hole Mill
A Proper Family Christmas in a Devon Water Mill
We decorate Hole Mill for the season — real Christmas tree, wreath on the mill door, candles in the dining hall — so your group arrives to a house that already feels festive. Sleeps 12+, with zoned living for games by the fire, table tennis in the extension, and hot tub & pond on the lawn.
Christmas at Hole Mill is the week we look forward to most. The property is exclusive-use for your family or friends — no other guests, no shared spaces — and we dress the house before you arrive: a real Christmas tree in the dining hall, a wreath on the mill door, candles and seasonal touches throughout. You bring the turkey, the stocking fillers and the board games; we provide the setting.
The layout works brilliantly for Christmas. The wood-burner lounge has no TV — so everyone actually talks and plays games — while the entertainment extension upstairs has table tennis, a big screen and space for karaoke. The glass-roofed dining hall seats the whole group at one long table for lunch. And when you need fresh air, the wood-fired hot tub and organic pond are thirty metres apart on the back lawn.
Dressed for the season
Real Christmas tree, wreath on the mill door, candles and seasonal styling before you arrive. You add the presents and the playlist.
Room for the whole family
Sleeps 12+ across five bedrooms — zoned living so adults can chat by the fire while teenagers take over the games room.
Wood-burner lounge
Proper log fire, deep sofas and deliberately no TV in the main lounge — board games, cards and conversation by default.
Entertainment extension
Table tennis, big-screen TV and space for your own karaoke — the Bond family had Christmas here and loved every zone.
Christmas lunch at the long table
The glass-roofed dining hall seats 14 under underfloor heating and garden views — the centrepiece of the day.
Hot tub & pond on the lawn
Brave a cold dip in the organic pond, recover in the wood-fired hot tub, repeat. Even on mild December days — champagne optional.
Christmas week
7-night minimum · books early
Christmas week typically runs with a 7-night minimum and books 6–12 months ahead — often to returning guests. If your dates show as open on /availability they are genuinely available. New Year follows the same pattern.
Check live availability →
Out & about
Christmas lunch at the Mason's Arms
The Mason's Arms is a twelve-minute walk down the valley — twelfth-century thatched pub, gastropub menu, log fires and a walled courtyard. Many groups walk down for lunch on Boxing Day or a relaxed dinner without anyone driving. Booking essential at Christmas.
Pubs & restaurants guide →On the beach
Jurassic Sauna & cold sea swim
Branscombe Mouth is a mile away — book a private slot at the Jurassic Sauna (wood-fired hut on the beach), sweat for an hour, then plunge into the sea. One of the best winter rituals on the coast, and a memorable Christmas Eve or Boxing Day outing for the brave.
Jurassic Sauna guide →At the house
BBQ, hot tub & pond dip
Mild Devon Decembers happen — Lorraine's family drank champagne outside after Christmas lunch. Fire up the BBQ on the lawn, stoke the wood-fired hot tub (we light it on request), and finish with a quick dip in the organic pond. The contrast loop is addictive by day two.
About the hot tub →Christmas at Hole Mill
What guests say about Christmas here
LLorraine
12 years on Airbnb · December 2024 · 5 stars
“Fabulous and unique property”
Was in a lovely area and walking distance to great pub and beach. Had our family Christmas here and was a wonderful home to play games, play table tennis, cook in the beautiful kitchen, drink a glass of champagne outside (as mild weather).
The zoned living and play areas were a big hit with us and loved that the lounge had a wood burner fire and no TV so encouraged us to play games. The brand new Entertainment extension area was fabulous — we did Karaoke (our own) and played Table Tennis and watched TV on big screen.
Had a very quick dip in the organic pond and loved the tranquility of the surroundings. Hole Mill is finished to a very high spec and we would love to return maybe in the summer for BBQ outside. Thank you Bond family.
Winter at the mill
Frost, firelight & steam on the lawn
Christmas mornings in the dining hall, board games by the wood burner, and the hot tub running while the valley is quiet.
Common questions
Frequently asked
Is the house decorated when we arrive?+
Yes — we dress Hole Mill for the season before Christmas-week guests arrive: a real Christmas tree in the dining hall, a wreath on the mill door, candles and seasonal touches. You bring personal decorations, stockings and the food if you want to add more.
What is the minimum stay over Christmas?+
Christmas week is typically a 7-night minimum. New Year often follows the same pattern. Shorter off-peak winter breaks (3 nights) are available outside the holiday weeks — see /winter-breaks-devon.
Can we have Christmas dinner cooked for us?+
The property is self-catering, but we recommend Nina Groves (Private Chef Devon) for a celebration dinner cooked on-site in the dining hall — popular for Christmas Day or Boxing Day. See /private-chef-devon, or walk to the Mason's Arms for a pub Christmas lunch.
Are local pubs open on Christmas Day?+
The Mason's Arms (10 min walk) and other village pubs often serve lunch on Boxing Day and sometimes Christmas Day — always book ahead. The Sea Shanty beach café has reduced winter hours. We recommend confirming directly when you book.
How far ahead should we book Christmas?+
Christmas weeks usually book 6–12 months ahead and often go to returning guests. If the dates appear open on /availability they are genuinely available — we do not hold phantom dates.
Plan your stay
Live availability and instant booking — direct, no platform fees.