The perfect CHRISTMA
AT CHRISTMAS, Britain’smostbeautifulhotelsarefargranderthanourfourwallsandcomewithstatelyproportions,splendid traditionsandnoargumentsoverthewashing-up.checkintooneoftheseluxuryhotelsandyou’llfindgargantuanfeastsandevenbiggerchristmastrees,plusestatesandbeautifullytendedgardenstoexplore.
Mostofferapackagethatstartsonchristmaseveandallowsyoutodepartgentlyonboxingdayafterablissfulfewdaysbecauseluxurysometimesneedstime–andthischristmas,wedeserveboth.
Ifyouwantthefullenglishcountrysideexperience,headtobovey Castleondartmoor.onceguestspassthroughthegateson Christmas Eve, the rangers will whiskchildrenawaytoexploreits275acreswhileadults can relax, making and tasting sloeginfollowedbyafternoontea,withthedayroundedoffbythearrivalofcarol-singers.
Christmas Day sees a visit from FatherChristmas,followedbyabrass-rubbingtrailaroundtheestate,aleisurelydinnerandarelaxedslideintoevening.
Boxingdaybringschoices:agolftournament,atreasurehuntaroundthecastleandgroundsand–withimpressivenoveltyforaluxuryhotel–ferret-racing,allfinishedoffwithablack-tiedinnerwithlivemusic.
Allactivitiesareincludedinathree-nightbreak that starts at £2,910 per doubleroom, including meals (prideofbritainhotels.com).
Spruce-forest-filledscotlandscoreswhenitcomestoseasonalscenery,too.
On the west coast near Fort William,Inverlochy Castle Hotelhas19thcenturypanache,includingplentyofbaronialfireplaces.therouxfamily(albertandmichelJr)overseethekitchensandtheresultisastraditional as the setting, with turkey andChristmaspuddingthat’stimedtoalloweveryonetowatchthequeen’sspeech.
On Boxing Day there will be sheepdogtrialsinthegroundsaswellasclaypigeonshooting.thispartofthewesthighlandsisalso famous for game-shooting; includingsnipe,foreshoreduckandgeese,pluspartridgeandpheasant.
Andforthefestiveseasontherewillbearesident clarsach player adding to theatmosphereonthetraditionalcelticharp.Athree-nightbreakstartsat£3,200perdouble/twin room, including meals andactivities apart from game-shooting(inverlochycastlehotel.com).
Headingeast,nearbalmoralcastle,theFife Arms in Braemar will aim for fulltartanvictorianathisyear.
It’shardtoimaginethisaward-winning46-roomhotel,bedeckedwithantiquesandartworks,asaformer19thcenturycoachinginn,althoughitretainsawonderful,warmatmosphere.
GuestscanhunkerdownonchristmasEvetomakebaublesanddecorategingerbread,beforestorytellingaroundafireinthewoodsandcarolsperformedbyalocalchoir.onchristmasday,ablow-outfeasttakes place in the Clunie Dining Room,