If Christmas planning has slipped away this year, consider a cosy stay at one of these properties, all just a short distance from London. Each is festive and will be decorated in the season’s spirit, the ideal backdrop for a warm holiday celebrating with your loved ones.
Grantley Hall, Yorkshire
Distance from London - 40 minutes from York, and less than two hours by train from Kings Cross
Offering a three-night Christmas package from 24-27th December, Grantley Hall has arranged every detail of the planned events, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy. Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch, and a Boxing Day champagne brunch are all enjoyed fireside in one of their three restaurants. Additionally, there are nightly parties and parlour games, as well as a special screening of the Queen’s speech.
The luxurious rooms are muted and elegant. Each of their Christmas packages is all-encompassing, and guests will be able to choose their room type (subject to availability). To indulge, book a treatment at the Three Graces spa and visit the indoor pool. The majestic property is extraordinary and a magical place for the whole family to enjoy Christmas.
The Swan Southwold, Suffolk Coast
Distance from London - Two hours by train from London to Darsham
Personalised service is at the heart of The Swan’s three-day experience. The quaint hotel on England’s east coast is vibrant and full of charm. Expect a full Christmas itinerary with a bit of a twist—this property has a cheeky vibe. The rooms are unexpectedly bright and cheery, and each will be decorated with a Christmas tree. They love their town and local shops and will encourage exploration of the surrounding area, alongside blustery strolls on the peaceful winter beach.
A host of dining options, including an Afternoon Tea, two feasts, a proper full English, and other indulgences, are the focus of the trip. The wonderful staff are attentive and will be able to embellish your itinerary a bit as they get to know you, suggesting certain shops to visit or things to see in the area.
Beaverbrook, Surrey
Distance from London - Less than an hour by car or train
This luxury country house—set within 400 acres of privately-owned Surrey countryside—is the most idyllic setting for Christmas. Expect beautifully and classically decorated spaces, from the rooms to the restaurant to the cinema. There will be plentiful activities for children as well as movies and a screening of the Queen’s speech in the cinema. The two onsite restaurants will each feature special menus for each of the days surrounding the holiday—for something different, spend Christmas Eve at The House, their Japanese restaurant, then visit The Garden House Restaurant on the 25th for a more traditional menu.
All of the rooms in each of the houses are comfortable and feel like a home-away-from-home. Decorated in classic country style, many boast four-poster beds and bathtubs. The surrounding grounds are beautifully manicured and perfect for an after-meal stroll.
Gidleigh Park, Devon
Distance from London - Four hours by car
The Christmas celebrations at this luxury manor in Devon begin on the 23rd with mulled wine, mince pies, and caroling after dinner. Each of the dining experiences is extravagant—some precede a tasting in their renowned wine cellar—and they’ll host a champagne reception on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, they’ve planned an excursion to Dartmoor with a local guide, and a special edition of their Afternoon Tea. There are many quaint towns to explore surrounding the manor, as well as beautiful historic castles, just a short drive away.
The rooms are decorated in a contemporary style and are warm. Views over the woodlands and garden are peaceful—to enhance the guaranteed feeling of relaxation, book an in-room beauty treatment to fully indulge and regenerate.
Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland
Distance from London - Just over five hours from Kings Cross by train
One of the world’s most renowned hotels, a Christmas at Gleneagles is guaranteed to be luxurious. Their Festive Package is an indulgent and magical Christmas escape. The three-night stay includes all meals, as well as a full programme of complimentary activities for the whole family, including ice skating on their rink, air rifle shooting, cellar tours, and tastings, estate walks, fortune-telling, and live music. Transformed into a magical winter hideaway, Christmas at Gleneagles will feel like a home-away-from-home.
Many of their sophisticated and cosy rooms and suites feature fireplaces and sitting areas, and they have two-bedrooms available to accommodate the whole family (subject to availability). Luxurious yet refined, each room will be festively decorated for the holiday season. Indulge in a treatment at their ESPA spa to maximise your holiday relaxation.
Enlist the help of award-winning Quintessentially Travel to plan your Christmas—they can sort the details and make recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.
