With illuminations that ‘rival Las Vegas’ and an attraction in the nearby town described as ‘the North East’s best-kept festive secret’, this is the place to go for Christmas getaways

For families already planning their next getaway following the end of the summer holidays, there’s no need to leave the UK – or even the North East – to enjoy a break with a festive twist. And one village in County Durham could be the perfect place for a staycation this December.

The village of Eastgate can be found just one hour away from Newcastle nestled between the picturesque market town of Stanhope and the North Pennines National Landscape, making it the place to go for those seeking stunning scenery. And come Christmastime, tourists flock to see the decorations that light up the village.

Stanhope Parish Council writes of Eastgate: “On 1st December each year the village Christmas lights are switched on and they can certainly rival Las Vegas. People travel many miles to see this spectacle.”

When it comes to places to stay in Eastgate, one of the only holiday lets in this quiet part of County Durham is Parcel Cottage, which lies on the outskirts of the village and boasts views of the nearby hills from its garden, where there’s a hot tub to relax in after a day spent exploring the countryside. Priced from £954 for a seven-night stay, this cottage has room for up to six guests and two dogs, with spaces still open for most of December at the time of writing.

With a giant floor-to-ceiling window in the lounge to make the most of those rural views and a wood burner to cosy up on chilly days, Parcel Cottage has earned five-star reviews from the vast majority of guests. Visitors have described it as a “gorgeous” place to stay with “amazing” views, adding that they “didn’t want to leave” thanks to it providing the base for a “truly relaxing break”.

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While the cottage is the only option available to book in Eastgate through holidaycottages.co.uk, there are other places nearby for staycationers to choose from. Also on the outskirts of the village are Upper Weardale Holiday Lodges, a family-run site exclusively for adults offering panoramic views of the Weardale Valley with a selection of luxurious lodges to book.

Just across the river, meanwhile, is White House & Hagg Bridge Caravan Park offering pitches with countryside or riverside views, with both parks dog-friendly and ideal for families with a children’s wooden play area. And there are more holiday lets to choose from over in the town of Stanhope, which is just a five-minute drive away from Eastgate.

This Is Durham describes Stanhope as a “picturesque haven for visitors seeking rest and relaxation amidst beautiful surroundings”. Highlights of the town for history buffs include the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, which dates back to the 12th century, and the famous Fossil Tree, which is thought to be around 320 million years old.

Another attraction perfect for exploring more of the area is the Weardale Railway, an 18-mile heritage railway line that can be caught from Stanhope and connects to nearby market towns including Wolsingham and Bishop Auckland via stunning scenery. The railway has just confirmed the return of its magical Santa Express, described as “the North East’s best-kept festive secret”.

Fellow holiday let agency Sykes Holiday Cottages has several places to stay in Stanhope, with two of the top-rated options being the Cosy Cave, the Castle Keep, and the Knights Corner. Priced from between £502 and £806 for seven nights, these stays are located in Stanhope Castle, an 18th century house thought to have been built on the site of a 14th century castle and since converted into luxury holiday accommodation.

Meanwhile, options in Stanhope over on Airbnb that have earned the best reviews from guests include a Grade II Listed Cottage with room for up to three people, and a Durham Dales Luxury Cottage, which has space for four guests.