last minute getaways for Christmas

[devonshireduckling]

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster year, with the prospect of things getting even more "eventful", and we (me DH and DCs) are thinking of getting away for Christmas if possible to get a change of scene. However, it has to be as cheap as possible. I have had a look at self-catering and I am afraid that all the prices go up suddenly around Christmas and New Year. Ideally it would be somewhere quite pretty (in the UK, maybe also Scotland if we could find cheap travel as too far to drive in our old banger) but not too remote. I'm in Devon already, so somewhere else would be best!
Any thoughts or recommendations? Would non-agency self-catering be a better plan? Or perhaps I am just living in a fantasy world where out of season self catering is cheap and we get to have a lovely quiet time somewhere pretty. (delusional emoticon)

Gaaaaahhhh I'm at work and my session keeps timing out so this is a compacted third attempt.

We are off to the Lake District again this year (DP and I, no DCs yet). I spent my first proper white christmas there last year and is was truly magical.

There are a few bargains to be had last minute although I don't know what your budget is.
This is an absolute steal at £330 and this at £380 is lovely (I've stayed here). Both have availability for the Christmas week.
You'd need to factor in travel which looks to be quite expensive by coach and train. Car hire might be a cheaper option.

Non-agency self catering will mean quite a bit of leg work from you as in my experience you'd need to phone around to check for availability this close to date so maybe narrow this down to a couple of areas you'd particularly like to go to.

Another option if budget is really tight might be housesitting is an option?

thanks for persevering SheepAreSuper (I kept being logged out last night and am surprised I didn't start this thread "FFS!"). Those links look good, you've given me hope: I've bookmarked the links and will keep up the hunt before presenting my plan to DH. I was hoping somewhere between £200-300 so those are on the right track. Housesitting might be an idea for the future when there's time to set it up ... had never ever thought of that. I'll settle back with a cuppa and see what other non-agency stuff comes up.