26 Nov 2013
Who wants to spend Christmas making beds up, cremating turkeys and following complicated Jamie Oliver recipes? If you think you have been taken for a yule fool too long, let someone else do all the hard work this year...
Ellie from britainsfinest.co.uk said "Nowadays many people don't want to have the faff of cooking for all the family plus wrapping, plus sorting out spare bedrooms, decorating etc. We love the idea of giving all that a miss and booking a luxurious hotel with delicious food for Christmas with family or friends instead!"
Woodman Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester
Forget the overdone devils on horseback and soggy sprouts, let new head chef at Hampshire’s Lainston House Olly Rouse cater for your every whim this Christmas. Olly’s pedigree involves being head chef at Michelin-starred Coworth Park and a spell as sous chef at Petrus under Gordon Ramsey so he knows a thing or two about laying on a festive feast. Fab food aside, stunning 17th century country house Lainston is pretty much the perfect place to celebrate Yule, with its blazing lobby fire, drawing room afternoon teas, Christmas Eve church choir carols and four-course meal plus minibus to Winchester Cathedral for Midnight Mass all laid on.
19 Geary, Waternish, Isle of Skye
For a truly magical, nature-filled festive season, how about spending Christmas Eve watching out for the Northern Lights? Book a few days at self-catering Number 19 at Waternish on the Isle of Skye and you can do just that. Built in 2010 and boasting all the luxurious mod cons of a five-star bolthole (like full Sky HDTV package including movies, unlimited wifi and a 200 DVD library), this gorgeous spot caters for six people and boasts picture windows to take full advantage of the truly magnificent scenery. Digest your Christmas lunch with a walk down to the water to look across the Minch to Harris and North Uist (don’t forget your binoculars too, to spot the Sea and Golden Eagles soaring overhead) and spend Christmas Night on the look-out for the truly spectacular Aurora Borealis. Happy gazing…
Bibury, Cirencester
Ever longed to open your presents in a civilised manner within a wood-panelled drawing room and log fire, being served some fizz while you’re at it? If you really want to live the high life this Christmas, book yourself a Cotswold Christmas at the wonderful Bibury Court. Feeling a bit like an extra from Downton Abbey as you crunch down the gravel drive towards this 16th century Jacobean country pie next to the river Coln, you are swept inside wood panelled reception rooms filled with large open fireplaces, flagstone floors and glorious views and spoilt rotten. From then on its sumptuous Christmas feasts, champagne and canapés, mince pies and sherry and crisp country walks all the way. Wrap up well and wonder over to the eighth century church and swan nest on the river or go in search of the secret garden – all without leaving the grounds.
South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen
If there’s something of the traditionalist in you and you hanker for a Christmas straight out of a Victorian novel, check into Augill Castle in the Upper Eden Valley in Cumbria. With the dramatic North Pennines as your festive back drop, it is like something from a period drama inside this 19th century castle– think roaring log fires to thaw frosty walkers, afternoon teas with bubbly and holly and ivy on every mantelpiece. Christmas kicks off on December 15 with a vintage fair, fashion show and a visit from Mr Claus plus a Christmas concert in the evening and from then on its festive cheer all the way. Augill prides itself on being child-friendly (the library is stuffed with books, toys and games, there’s a cinema with popcorn on hand, 20 acres to kick a ball about in, a tennis court, a tree house and a playground) so this is a great choice for families.
Tredragon Road, Mawgan Porth
If you’ve served your time refereeing arguments between the kids about whose turn it is on the wii and why it’s not healthy to eat five helpings of yule log, perhaps a child-free Christmas now they’ve grown could be the answer. Head ye then to the Scarlet Hotel, a child-free zone in deepest Cornwall. Christmas at this south west favourite is understated and classy, where eggnog overload isn’t an issue and they’ve held back on the ho-ho-hoing. Instead, expect local bands playing, dance lessons, wine tasting and yoga sessions to hold sway. Wake up on Christmas morning with a dip in the sea (wetsuits provided) with staff on hand to serve steaming cups of cocoa afterwards and then wind your way towards a merry, rather civilised Christmas lunch by way of pre-prandial tipples. Old movies and live music lead the celebrations into the evening. Utterly refreshing.
Stroude Road, Egham
Let me set the scene of a Christmas at the former royal hunting lodge Great Fosters Hotel in Egham, Surrey. Think four poster beds, mullioned windows, classic wood-panelling, heavy Flemish tapestries, portraits and paintings, moulded ceilings, damask furnishings and blazing log fires in Jacobean fireplaces. Then add fairy lights strung artfully across beams, champagne and caviar to whet your appetite and then a whopping great meal at a stunningly decorated table (we love the giant red bows on the chair backs). The wonderful gardens with their elegant Japanese Bridge make for the perfect Christmas Day afternoon stroll too or head into smart Windsor to take in a panto at the Theatre Royal or raise a toast to her Majesty’s Speech in a traditional old pub a stone’s throw from the famous castle.
Follifoot, Harrogate
Sometimes it’s just blissful to sit back and let someone else take care of your whole Christmas agenda. If this takes your fancy, nose the motor Yorkshire bound and head for grade I listed country house Rudding Park, Harrogate, where they’re currently fine-tuning your festive extravaganza. Here’s what’s in store (deep breath): welcome Christmas Eve afternoon tea, family treasure hunt, evening champers reception followed by black tie dinner (or a family night with entertainment). Next up is a carol service in the hotel chapel, then mulled wine and mince pies. Get your beauty sleep while Santa does his deliveries then wake up to breakfast and a six-hole golf competition. Then it’s more champagne, Christmas lunch, a turn around the grounds before games and cards in front of the fire. There’s also a private cinema for the screening of Christmas classics. Sorted.
2 Whitehall Court, London
London can be rather magical at Christmas time, especially when you are nicely tucked away in a five star hotel right in its beating heart. And the Royal Horseguards, standing majestically over the Thames looking onto the London Eye, does festive cheer with real class. The lobby, festooned in decorations with an always super tasteful tree, sets the festive tone which continues throughout the hotel and on into neighbouring historic One Whitehall Place, a superb entertaining space whose Victorian splendour makes eating your Norfolk bronzed turkey with glazed carrots seem pretty special. Round off your Christmas evening in the gentleman’s club setting of the Equus Bar with a Lord Kitchener cocktail. Come Boxing Day, strap on your skates and go gliding across the ice on the rink below the Eye followed by a hot chocolate. Now that’s festive.
Mutton Dingle, New Radnor
The brooding Welsh countryside comes into its own at Christmas time when fabulous old pubs, stunning frosty walks and quaint villages and market towns make for perfect places to escape the rat race. If you want a change of scenery (and some tidy scenery it is too), book a few days over Christmas at Cwm Broadwell House in the Radnor Hills in the beautiful Welsh Marches. The house sleeps eight people, is really spacious, has a winter-beating log burner and a patio leading onto the garden. Where ever you turn there are simply lovely views and there is even a little two-person sauna. This neck of the woods offers great walks, waterfalls, a forest to explore, pony trekking and fishing for when the Christmas cabin fever hits plus there are some great local restaurants (one Michelin starred) to experience. Oh, and do try the real ales created right on site at the Radnorshire Ales Microbrewery. Bottoms up.
Tichwell, near Brancaster, King's Lynn
Set just a few miles back from the truly unspoilt North Norfolk coast, Titchwell Manor is a treat to stay in at any time of the year but it excels itself come December. Guests are treated to fantastic food from award-winning head chef Eric Snaith throughout their stay (in either the fine-dining Conservatory or the informal Eating Rooms with seaview terrace) but get the added bonus of some unique Christmas Day events. After a champagne breakfast on the 25th, royalists can head off to Sandringham Church to cheer on the royal family. Others should wrap up warm and brave the elements in Hunstanton where the annual charity swim takes place. Then it is time to hurry back to the bosom of Titchwell for a traditional Christmas lunch of free range Norfolk turkey or local fish. Boxing Day is spent curled up by the fire or taking bracing walks along miles of golden sands.
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Ellie Neville
Tel: 01488 684321
Email: Ellie.Neville@tomorrows.co.uk
