After a day exploring the festive markets and soaking in the enchanting light displays, cosy up by our roaring fires with a winter warmer (or two) & an indulgent dish to make the most of the weekend. Whether it’s a romantic overnight stay visiting Christmas fairs, a weekend away with your canine companion to see the light displays, or a Christmas Day break with the whole family – we’ve got just the package for you this festive season.
And with 15% off when you book direct, there’s never been a better time to plan your next getaway.
WINTER COUNTRYSIDE DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST PACKAGE
includes a Leslie’s Sparkling wine flight, dinner and overnight stay and breakfast for two. Not valid at The Bull & The Hide.
2 & 3 NIGHT COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTMAS DAY PACKAGE
includes a 2 or 3 night stay in one of our cosy bedrooms at a countryside inn, a chilled bottle of fizz, Christmas Day 3-course feast and breakfast each morning of your stay. Not valid at The Bull & The Hide.
Witness the bright lights of the big city
No festive tour of the south would be complete without a visit to London. It can be hard to know where to start, here’s a top line we know you’ll love. Skating at Somerset House is an absolute tradition at Christmas time – This year you can enjoy skate lessons, glide around to chill-out sessions by DJs and enjoy all the scrummy Christmas fayre you know and love from Somerset House. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a vast festival of all things festive and an absolute must for the city-goer this time of year. Open from 24th November all the way through to 5th January, this festival features ice sculpting, ice bars, a real ice slide for sledging, fairground attractions, and of course all the festive dining you could hold in your woolly-mittened hand. The city itself is spectacular by night, so we’d always recommend a London by Night bus tour – the perfect way to take in the city this time of year.
After a truly festive overload, we’d suggest a stop-off at our favourite Balfour pubs in the city too, especially if you’re staying at our very own Bull and Hide.
STAY AT THE BULL & THE HIDE
FESTIVE DINING AT BOW WINE VAULTS
FESTIVE DINING AT BALFOUR ST.BARTS
This winter in The Garden of England
Kent is spectacular this time of year. If you’re heading to The Garden of England in the winter here’s a few unmissable events we recommend you check out.
Leeds Castle has many events on throughout the year – The Christmas Light Display is truly spectacular. If Christmas light displays are your thing, then you could also check out Scotney Castle. After you’ve been wowed by the lights, it will be time to take in the finest Christmas markets in Kent. We recommend Christmas fairs at The Tickled Trout near Maidstone and The Woolpack Inn in Tenterden.
For lovers of wine, our very own Balfour Winery is also a very fine go-to for Christmas Markets and a fabulous place to pick up the perfect Christmas gift for the wine lover in your life.
We suggest the following inns…
STAY AT THE GOUDHURST INN
STAY AT THE TICKLED TROUT
STAY AT THE WOOLPACK INN, TENTERDEN
STAY AT THE WINDMILL, HOLLINGBOURNE
Breathtaking scenery whatever the season
The Cotswolds are spectacular in the winter, there’s so much to see and do. Start with a glide around the specially created ice rink otherwise known as The Great Skate at Blenheim Palace. We then suggest The Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle. Take in the delights of The Cotswold Reindeer Herd from November 24 with VIP tickets available on December 24 for the very lucky. Finally, if you’re staying in Painswick, The Enchanted Forest by Night at Rococo Garden, mere minutes away from our beautiful Cotswold inn, The Falcon.
The glory of the South coast in Winter
When heading to the south coast, there’s an incredible choice of light displays, trails and Christmas markets. We suggest you base yourself in Rye at The Ship Inn or The Swan at Forest Row for these amazing events. The Wakehurst Light Trail is an amazing spectacle, with a mile of light installations. There are many events taking place at Lamb House, too, but the event we especially recommend is Lucia’s Lobster Trail, inspired by the famous dish – Lobster à la Riseholme. To finish off your summary of Sussex festive events, it has to be the Rye Christmas Festival taking place on December 7th, this wholesomely traditional day in the picturesque town of Rye, features street races, Santa’s Grotto and carol services all minutes from our very own Ship Inn.