It's not too late to book a luxury cottage for Christmas. Helpful Holidays, the West Country holiday cottage experts, still have 115 cottages available for Christmas week, from roomy houses for family gatherings to cosy little boltholes for couples, many of them pet-friendly.

Here is a selection of self-catering holiday homes available for Christmas week.

The Wood, Salcombe, South Devon

Handsome detached five-star holiday house high on a hill with spectacular views over South Sands beach in Salcombe. A private footpath leads down to the sand. Professional catering can be arranged at this elegant house which has a huge kitchen dining room, living room with open fire and 8 bedrooms with 7 bathrooms. Accommodates: 17. Price: week starting 21st December now reduced from £5,425 to £4,068

Roskear, Crackington Haven, North Cornwall

A mile from the cove beach and perfect for walking the spectacular clifftops loved by Thomas Hardy, this relaxing new house with its rural views to the sea is fine for a family gathering. The open-plan living/dining/kitchen, with its woodburning stove, slate floor and big balcony, is full of 21st century comforts.

Accommodates: 12 in 6 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms. Price: £1,591 for week starting 21st December

Avocet, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon

Huge split-level five-star detached house with the latest ecotechnology, within 200 yards of the splendid sandy beach. Inside, it is light, spacious and bright, with good fabrics, relaxing colour schemes and oak and tiled floors. The huge kitchen/dining room and living room with woodburning stove both have walls of glass to take in 180 degree views to Burgh Island. An elevated terrace offers the same views from a six-person hot tub.

Accommodates: 12 in 5 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms. Price: £3,750 for 10 (additional ppl pro rata)

Brook Cottage, Dalwood, East Devon

Idyllic thatched cottage for two with big oak beams, painted floorboards and relaxing colours. The open-plan living/dining/kitchen has a woodburning stove in a huge inglenook and steep stairs wind up to a romantic bedroom under the eaves with 6ft bed. The village pub serving good food is a 50 yard stroll away.

Accommodates: 2 in 1 bedroom with 1 bathroom. Price: £458 for Christmas week

Coach House Cottage, Strete, South Devon

Beautifully redesigned, 19th century, Grade II listed cottage with coastal views, 400 yards from the long beach and Coast Path. The romantic interior is elegant and relaxed, with natural linens and gentle hues. The open-plan living space has a woodburning stove and there are two bedrooms, a double and a single.

Accommodates: 3 in 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom. Price: £1,004

The Chapel, Milborne St Andrew, Dorset

A Methodist chapel lovingly recreated into a state-of-the-art, contemporary home. Magnificent high vaulted ceilings and leaded lights give a glow to the airy open-plan living space with its woodburner and industrial-style kitchen. Separate towering spiral staircases lead up to two bedrooms, a double and a twin, under the eaves in this extraordinary, fanciful conversion.

Accommodates: 4 in 2 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. Price: £805 for Christmas week

To view all the Christmas cottages and Helpful Holidays' complete portfolio of over 700 places to stay sleeping two to 47 guests in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, visit www.helpfulholidays.co.uk or call 01647 434063 for a free brochure.