ENGLISH HOMEThe

Celebrating the essence of English styleDecember 2016 | Issue 142 | £4.20 | UK Edition

Engage your senses with feasts, fragrance, music & laughterChristmas

The best presents to surprise & delight

60 gift ideas

MAGIC & MEMORIESBeautiful homes dressed for the celebrations

SET THE SCENE FOR

l Stylish decorationsl Homemade touchesl Festive days out

Pleasure in the

Seasonal recipes

Thoughtful detailsfriends will remember

Warm welcome

from Mary Berry and Sophie Conran

preparations

THE ENGLISH HOME 137

CHRISTMAS ESCAPES

1 CROWD PLEASER For those needing to accommodate the

whole family at Christmas, Kimmeridge Hall on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset may be the answer. A Georgian country manor, it can accommodate up to 15 guests, and has spacious living areas with plenty of comfy sofas and open fires. There is no need to divide up kitchen duties with the option of hiring a top-class private chef to ensure the turkey is perfect and the trifle has set. Those who are feeling adventurous can walk through the property’s grounds to beautiful Kimmeridge Bay, where they can take in the sea air and try their luck at fossil hunting.Kimmeridge Hall, Kimmeridge, Dorset. Sleeps 15. A week’s stay from 23 December is £3,400 or £227 a person, per night. kateandtoms.com

2 CHRISTMAS IN A CASTLE What could be more magical than

spending Christmas in a castle? The current King John’s Castle dates back to 1842, however, the first castle – which King John often visited in the thirteenth century – was built in 1080. Although it is imbued with impressive grandeur, the castle offers a warm welcome with its many open fires, inviting bedrooms and well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy Christmas lunch at the carved oak table in the spacious dining room with its views of the surrounding winter scenery.

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From majestic country manors to cosy cottages, we have picked some of the best places for festive breaks

King John’s Castle, Devizes, Wiltshire. Sleeps 13. Five-night stay over Christmas from £8,245. thewowhousecompany.com

3PUTTING ON THE GLITZ For an elegant Christmas celebration,

consider Pelsham Manor, just outside Rye, East Sussex. This period manor house, decorated with opulent fabrics and antiques, is a lovely setting for a festive house party. Set the dining table for a decadent dinner, then plan the evening’s entertainment in the sitting room beside the open fire. Finally, retire to a four-poster bed in one of the four luxurious suites. For outdoor types, there are 600 acres of parkland to explore, whilst others can curl up in the library and catch up on holiday reading as the winter darkness draws in.Pelsham Manor, Rye, East Sussex. Sleeps 10. A week’s stay in December from £3,005 for up to 10 guests. uniquehomestays.com

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4IN THE WOODS Spend Christmas away from the hustle

and bustle at enchanting Hole Cottage – a surviving cross-wing of a late-medieval hall house, located in a romantic forest setting in the Kent Weald. Snuggle up in the sitting room, sipping sherry and eating mince pies to the sound of the crackling open fire, creaking beams and – perhaps – Santa’s sleigh bells in the distance. If tempted to venture out, nearby historic attractions include Hever Castle – Anne Boleyn’s childhood home – and Elizabethan Penshurst Place. Or perhaps just stroll through the surrounding woodland to the nearby stream.Hole Cottage, Cowden, Kent. Sleeps four. Four nights in December from £548. landmarktrust.org.uk

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THE ENGLISH HOME 139

6 STILL WATERS Escape to a magical lakeside hideaway

over the festive season. Gilpin Lake House and Spa in the Lake District is a luxurious boutique hotel with just six rooms, offering a peaceful, stress-free retreat. Enjoy a programme including a relaxing lunch by Lake Windermere and a Christmas Day of feasting at a leisurely pace. If that is not enough to decompress, find a seat by the fire in the lounge overlooking the water, or relax in the hot tub with a glass of bubbly. There are also plenty of peaceful walks in the grounds to take time out and feel invigorated and ready for the new year.Gilpin Lake House and Spa, Crook, Cumbria. From £495 per night. sawdays.co.uk

5 WARM WELCOME Leave Christmas to the hospitality

experts at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in the village of Clearwell in the Royal Forest of Dean. On Christmas Eve, take time to explore the ancient Clearwell Caves, then return to the hotel for mince pies, mulled wine and carols played by a brass quartet. Start Christmas Day with a buck’s fizz breakfast, followed by a traditional Christmas lunch and a light supper in the evening. Boxing Day offers the chance to break up the festive feasting of breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner with a guided walk around the village.Tudor Farmhouse, Clearwell,Gloucestershire. Christmas packages start from £1,050; normal B&B from £100 for a double or twin room. tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk

Tradition, style and luxury make for the perfect, indulgent Christmas break

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140 THE ENGLISH HOME

7 ROOM AT THE INN Allow The Crown Inn, in the market

town of Amersham, to take care of everything over Christmas. The rooms of this 500-year-old inn provide a serene escape, combining old-world charm with modern comfort. Snuggle under Welsh wool blankets and soak in a roll-top bath, either with a book or a glass of wine in hand. Enjoy a warming drink by the open fire in the welcoming pub before a meal at The Crown Chop House restaurant, which offers farmhouse fare made with local ingredients. Do not forget to pack those wellingtons, as it is well worth getting out of bed for a Boxing Day ramble in the surrounding Chiltern Hills.The Crown Inn, Amersham, Buckinghamshire. From £140 per night. mrandmrssmith.com

8 TOWER ABOVE Approached down a secluded country

lane through woodland, The Shooting Box Tower – originally the Shooting Lodge for the Ashburnham Estate – is in a wonderful location. Wake up on Christmas Day to magnificent, hopefully snow-covered, views over the fields to Hastings and beyond.

If feeling the need to work off any overindulgence, wrap up for an afternoon walk to nearby Eatenden Wood, returning to warm those tired toes by the wood-burning stove in the large living area. For those interested in medieval history, the town of Battle – site of the Battle of Hastings and festooned with festive lights at this time of year – is just a short drive away.The Shooting Box Tower, Netherfield, Sussex. Sleeps eight. From £1,1750 for a week from 22 December. kentandsussexcottages.co.uk n

Pack wellington boots for bracing, winter walks in the glorious English countryside

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