Although the south-west of England is popular in the summer, holiday cottages in the west country are also great places to stay during the winter.

With fewer tourists around, you will feel as though you have the place to yourself – especially on the beaches, where you can enjoy brisk strolls without having to side-step people sunbathing!

You'd be mistaken for thinking you will be bored during a winter getaway – there are plenty of things to do in Cornwall during the colder months. Perhaps the first activity that you should indulge in is going on plenty of walks.

Walking trails will be quieter than the summer, and the fresh, mild air will certainly wake you up and get you in the mood for a cosy pub lunch as a reward. The South West Coastal Path stretches for 630 miles, so why not experience a small section of it?

If you don't mind the effort, the Port Isaac to Padstow walk is 12 miles long and you can enjoy the stunning Pine Haven inlet and beautiful views from Lobber Point. A gentler trek is the six-mile Cubert route, where you start in West Pentire and you can spot migrant birds in the fields during the wintertime.

Another thing to do in Cornwall during winter is to take strolls along its beaches. If you have a pet dog, many of the stretches of sand will welcome your four-legged friend outside of the busy tourist season.

Some of the dog-friendly beaches that are open every month include Whitsand Bay in south-east Cornwall, Lambeth Walk in St Ives and Porthcothan Bay in Padstow. If you do want to bring your pooch along with you, make sure your Cornish holiday cottage welcomes animals.

When holidaying in Cornwall in the winter, it is worth heading to some of the most popular tourist attractions. Rather than spending time in queues and jostling with others to look at displays, you are likely to find such places a lot quieter and relaxing.

The Eden Project remains open throughout the year, except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and has plenty of festive events if you visit in November and December. These include Cornish choirs, ice skating and Christmas parties, which involve a three-course meal and entertainment.

It would not be winter without a trip to the theatre to watch a pantomime or show and this is bound to be an activity that appeals to every member of your party. Head to the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth or the Porthcurno Minack Theatre for international shows, while smaller performances can be enjoyed at a variety of local venues.

Finally, Cornwall is known for its high-quality cuisine and even though you are staying in self-catering cottages, it is always nice to sample local produce at food markets or in pubs and restaurants.

The Padstow Christmas Festival is a popular event and features traditional festive markets and celebrity chefs creating mouthwatering meals for visitors to try. You might decide to buy some seasonal produce to whip up dishes back at your accommodation for the whole family to enjoy.

For the perfect winter break, make sure you look into Cornish holiday cottages with open log fires. You and your loved ones can curl up on the sofa after a busy day discovering what Cornwall has to offer during the colder season.

If the sound of a south-west getaway without the crowds seems appealing, start looking for your ideal self-catering cottage today.