Forget the Forecast: Experience the Warmest Winter Holiday in Britain

The mercury is dropping, the nights are drawing in, and that familiar dread is creeping in: the winter energy bill. We all know the drill – layer up, brave the chill indoors, and wince every time the central heating kicks on. But what if there was another way? A way to truly embrace winter, snug and warm, without breaking the bank?

Imagine stepping into a home where the warmth isn’t a battle against the elements, but a constant, gentle embrace. A place where you can walk around in shirtsleeves in January, not because you’ve cranked the thermostat to eleven, but because the house itself is designed to be incredibly warm and efficient.

This isn’t a futuristic fantasy; it’s the reality of a Passivhaus, and you can experience it at Warksburn Old Church in beautiful rural Northumberland, where a stunning contemporary renovation of an 1875 Victorian church blends cutting-edge Net Zero technology, with exquisite interior design and respectful conservation of the building’s exceptional heritage features.

Low energy luxury

“Passivhaus” (or “Passive House”) is the most rigorous standard for ultra-low energy buildings, meaning they require little to no energy for heating. Think exceptional insulation, airtight construction, and a clever heat recovery ventilation system.

The upshot? A luxury holiday rental that stays wonderfully warm in winter with minimal energy input. Enjoy your break near Hadrian’s Wall and the International Dark Skies Park without worrying about energy consumption. Warksburn Old Church is the world’s only Passivhaus-certified church-to-home conversion, demonstrating a unique blend of heritage and Net Zero performance. It is a certified EnerPHit Retrofit and holds a Green Tourism Gold award, plus you get an added ‘eco-bonus’: there’s complimentary EV charging for the duration of your stay.

Compare the cost of heating

If you stayed at home, in a typical large-to-medium UK home, for a typical winter month, and ran the heating to maintain a comfortable temperature for your family, you would be faced with a substantial bill of at least £200, and often far higher, just to heat the place.

When you stay at Warksburn Old Church, by contrast, you’ll be living in a Net Zero property that actually functions a small-scale power station. The building has a negative annual energy cost of around minus £500 per year: it makes more money from exporting power generated by its onsite renewables and stored in its batteries than it pays to import power from the grid. So, during the month of your stay, you’ll be experiencing an ultra-efficient building that’s actually making money on energy , as opposed to costing hundreds of pounds. And all the energy you’ll be using during your stay comes from zero carbon generation, so you’ll contributing to the several tonnes of CO2 savings WOC delivers every year.

‘Test drive’ life in a low energy home

So, why shiver your way through another winter when you could be snug, saving money, and gaining inspiration for a warmer, more sustainable future? Why not experience the luxury (and not to mention the warmth), of an entire month in a Passivhaus-certified, Airbnb Luxe holiday home. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll experience first hand how ultra low carbon living can be achieved, and perhaps be inspired to upgrade the energy efficiency of your own home. Think of it as a an opportunity to ‘try before you buy’, if you like.

If you want to know more, why not watch the TV documentary showing how this remarkable place was built: Series 2, Episode 3 Derelict Rescue. And whilst you’re here, Alan and Anne, the owners would be happy to give you a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the building to explain all the tech, and to share the practical insights and ‘tips and tricks’ they learned when delivering this award-winning project.

Picture here: A beautiful interior shot of Warksburn Old Church, dressed for Christmas, perhaps with luxurious textiles, warm lighting and decorations.

Winter Warmth Offers: Your Passivhaus Experience

This January, book a long-term stay at Warksburn Old Church – one of the most energy-efficient buildings in Britain – and experience the Passivhaus standard first-hand. As an incidental benefit, you can keep your heating at home turned down to frost-protection level, saving you money while you enjoy your luxury break.

All long-term stays attract an additional 10% discount off the base price if you pay in full at the time of booking, making your reservation on a non-refundable, non-cancellable basis.

Two Weeks of Winter Warmth (January 5th – 18th)

  • Dates: Check In 5th January, Check Out 18th January 2026
  • Pricing: Was £3,705, NOW £2,995
  • Book Now: Book 2 Weeks of Warmth

Two Weeks of Winter Warmth (January 19th – 31st)

  • Dates: Check In 19th January, Check Out 31st January 2026
  • Pricing: Was £3,705, NOW £2,995
  • Book Now: Book 2 Weeks of Warmth

Four Weeks of Winter Warmth (January 5th – 31st)

  • Dates: Check In 5th January, Check Out 31st January 2026
  • Pricing: Was £7,410, NOW £5,495
  • Book Now: Book 4 Weeks of Warmth