10 Hotels For A Last-Minute Christmas Break
The Rectory, Wiltshire
The Rectory is a contemporary hotel in the Wiltshire Cotswolds. Its 18 stylishly furnished bedrooms – 15 in the main house and three in a separate cottage – each have a modern en-suite with a Victorian rolltop bath. The hotel bar has a great ambience, while the sister establishment across the road, The Potting Shed, serves pub classics. Feast on Christmas favourites from the restaurant's extensive menu, head to the sitting rooms for festive drinks and make the most the quiet countryside roads for a winter's day walk.
Rooms from £130 a night
Visit TheRectoryHotel.com
Another Place, Cumbria
If you’re after outdoor pursuits this Christmas, Another Place in the Lake District is the place to head. Guests can enjoy an action-packed stay on the shores of Ullswater with dinner each night, and a range of festive foodie treats. The rooms at the hotel have fantastic views of the Cumbrian countryside, while the Suites have some of the most stylish interiors. During a festive break, guests can dine at Rampsbeck Restaurant for seasonal dishes such as roasted cod, local venison, and duck fritters, and relax at the impressive on-site spa — be sure to book a bespoke massage for total relaxation.
From £180 a night
Visit Another.Place
Gidleigh Park, Devon
Head to the beautiful Devonshire countryside for a festive retreat at Gidleigh Park in Newton Abbot. The Tudor-style house sits in over 100 acres of vast woodland and riverside gardens in Dartmoor National Park – ideal for lovers of the outdoors. The hotel's sophisticated award-winning restaurant serves an excellent selection of plates, while their luxury hamper for two can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine from the on-site wine cellar. Join in with the Christmas festivities, walk around the stunning gardens, and head on a guided tour of Dartmoor. For a special stay, the Master Rooms with panoramic views over the valley are a great choice.
Rooms from £247 a night
Visit Gidleigh.co.uk
The Pheasant Inn, Berkshire
The Pheasant Inn is surrounded by lush Berkshire countryside or, to give it its official title, the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The hotel has a relaxed, cosy ambience, with comfortable bedrooms to put you instantly at ease. Over the festive period, guests can feast on the festive fare at the restaurant, which only uses the very best seasonal produce, and enjoy a Christmas tipple (or two) at the bar. Breakfast here is a treat, too — don't miss the eggs royale.
Rooms from £300 a night
Visit ThePheasant-Inn.co.uk
Forest Side, Cumbria
For very fine dining, head to Forest Side in the Lake District. A stay in the impressive Victorian property has everything you need for a luxurious break, including an award-winning restaurant, extensive gardens, and a selection of 20 stylish rooms. For a special stay, book one of the Superb rooms, complete with light and airy interiors and stylish en-suite bathrooms. Make the most of the wilderness on your doorstep and book a Windermere lake cruise to round off the festivities. The hotel is also dog-friendly, so don't forget your four-legged friend.
Rooms from £319 a night
Visit TheForestSide.com
Mayfair Townhouse, London
The Mayfair Townhouse is one of the capital’s most exciting openings of 2020. From the group behind Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, it’s a great choice for a festive city break. Its ‘Ultimate Christmas Shopping Package’ includes a £50 food and beverage voucher, drinks at The Dandy Bar and free parking for 24 hours to make the most of the Boxing Day sales. Enjoy a festive menu at the restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and relax in one of its stylish rooms – the Executive Garden Room has a great patio, ideal for a (warming) Christmas tipple.
From £321 a night
Visit TheMayfairTownhouse.com
The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire
This old Broadway inn still boasts open fireplaces, a Great Hall with a vaulted ceiling, and original wood panelling dating back to the 17th century. In one of the most attractive villages in the Cotswolds, this hotel has a great atmosphere over the festive period with everything you need for a relaxing Christmas break. Sample delicious local produce at the Lygon Grill & Bar, before relaxing with a drink in one of the lounges, then make time for a treatment at the spa. In the surrounding area, visite the picturesque Cotswolds countryside and embark on one of the many local walking trails.
Rooms from £345 a night
Visit LygonArmsHotel.co.uk
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Just 75 minutes from London by car, Heckfield Place sits in 400 acres of secluded Hampshire countryside. For Christmas, the Long Room is a private apartment with vaulted ceilings, an outdoor terrace and a cosy fireplace. Or there’s the Ochre Room, with its 18th-century vibe and generous en suite. If you’ve got kids in tow, they can meet Father Christmas and his reindeer on a walk through the estate’s winter wonderland. Try the smorgasbord of festive treats at the various places to eat, and soak up the atmosphere at Moon Bar for late-night drinks. For a treat, book into the Little Bothy Spa, or sign up for activities over the Christmas break, including archery and falconry.
Rooms from £400 a night
Visit HeckfieldPlace.com
Coworth Park, Berkshire
Part of the Dorchester Collection, Coworth Park is a luxury country hotel near Ascot. Set among 240 acres of spectacular parkland, the hotel has everything you need for a special break. A stay over the festive period covers afternoon tea, a Michelin-starred Christmas feast, and a range of activities from country pursuits to culinary masterclasses. During the evenings, guests can play festive games around the fire, head outdoors for a crisp country walk or settle in for wine tasting.
Rooms from £455 a night
Visit DorchesterCollection.com
Grantley Hall, Yorkshire
Grantley Hall in Ripon boasts some seriously stylish interiors and state-of-the-art facilities. The hotel can be reached in a four-hour drive or train journey from London. Aside from the grand interiors, one of the best things about the hotel is the stylish late-night champagne and cocktail bar, Valeria’s, where guests can enjoy a festive drink late into the night. Shaun Rankin, the hotel's fine dining restaurant is also worth a visit, as is the impressive Three Graces Spa. Don't miss Fountains Abbey, a beautiful National Trust property nearby, for a brisk walk.
Rooms from £667 a night
Visit GrantleyHall.co.uk
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