Moorland View is ranked one of the UK’s cosiest holiday cottages for romantic winter breaks. Here are ten reasons why you should visit in the off-season. By Suzy Bennett

Dartmoor does winter properly. Not for us mild, wishy-washy days. Here, winters are cold and crisp, with soft sun, and clean, fresh air that makes your skin tingle and your cheeks turn blush-pink.
Some of the UK’s most epic winter walks are on Moorland View’s doorstep. Wrap up in cosy knits and explore open moors, forested glades, granite-topped tors and ancient forests.
Our cottage has the biggest, most luxurious bath tub known to man, perfect for soothing aching limbs after long head-clearing walks.
The cottage has a cosy log burning stove, which can be used with the doors open (for crackle) or shut (for extra warmth). Cuddle up together in a sofa bundle while the cruel wind whistles outside. Firewood and marshmallows for toasting are provided.
Our thatched village pub, The Ring of Bells, is the cosiest you’ll ever visit, with wood-beamed walls, romantic log-burning stoves, friendly locals and fabulous food.
It’s cheaper! Prices in the winter start at just £160, making a romantic countryside break affordable, even on a tight budget.
There’s a chance of getting snowed in and pretending you’re Cameron Diaz and Jude Law in The Holiday. Join villagers on slopes on sledges, trays or bin bags (the later is not recommended), then hole up in the pub afterwards.
You’ll have the countryside to yourself. Dartmoor and Dartmoor get crowded in summer, with lanes, beaches and car parks jammed with traffic and pesky tourists. Not so in winter, when you’ll have the entire county to yourselves.
You’ll get to see branches. Denuded of leaves, our local oak forests reveal their wonderfully gnarly sculptural bones, dripping with moss and colourful, crusty lichen. Ancient dwarf oak woodland, Wistman’s Wood, is especially atmospheric at this time of year.
Finally, the stars; oh my goodness, the stars! There’s no light pollution here, so on clear, cold nights, the Milky Way is clearly visible.