Guilt-free Christmas breaks for couples and families with Pride of Britain Hotels

Many of us hope to have as normal a Christmas as possible – and, after a year of being housebound, why not plot your festive getaway? Pride of Britain Hotels, a 50-strong collection of luxury hotels, has a superb selection of socially-distanced Christmas stays for you to choose from across the UK – all of the suggestions below currently fall within Tier two, which permit hotel stays with members of your household.

Luxury prevails at The Goring in Belgravia, the oldest family-owned hotel in the heart of London and the only hotel in the world to have been granted a Royal Warrant by HM The Queen. Guests can choose flexible one, two or three-night stays over Christmas and can expect superb service from the hotel’s friendly, scarlet-coated footmen, plus delicious Michelin-starred cuisine and many traditional Christmas treats. Arriving on Christmas Eve, a Christmas stay includes Champagne and chocolates awaiting in-room on arrival, Christmas Eve Dinner, morning tea and coffee brought to guests’ rooms, full English or continental breakfast in The Veranda, overlooking the manicured private garden, and a sumptuous Christmas Day lunch served in The Dining Room – designed by David Linley and adorned with Swarovski chandeliers – plus a Christmas gift from the owner, Jeremy Goring. Choose from a one, two- or three-night stay over the Christmas period with prices starting from £1,043 per night, based on double occupancy.

Middlethorpe Hall is a National Trust-owned William III country house hotel set in 20 acres of grounds, near to York Racecourse, yet close enough to enjoy all that York has to offer. Explore The Shambles, with its many independent shops, go to Midnight Mass at York Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, or head out to the Yorkshire Dales and moors. This year’s three-night Christmas House Party includes afternoon tea, a Champagne and canapés reception and a candlelit dinner on Christmas Eve, a Bucks Fizz reception and traditional four-course luncheon on Christmas Day, pampering time at Middlethorpe Spa and a Champagne reception and black-tie four-course Boxing Day dinner. The price is from £1,790 total/£895 pp (two sharing a Standard room in The Courtyard), including three nights’ accommodation, breakfast, dinner, Christmas luncheon and other meals/drinks specified.

Calcot & Spa, a charming country house hotel set in 220 acres of Cotswolds countryside near Tetbury, is welcoming guests for a three-night stay over Christmas. Arrive on Christmas Eve for Christmas cake and mince pies, before a celebratory glass of fizz and a delicious supper. On Christmas Day, after a leisurely Champagne breakfast – served in the restaurant or in your room – relax in the spa (open 10am – 1 pm), before tucking into a traditional Christmas Lunch. Work off any excess calories with a walk through the extensive grounds before an informal supper is served. On Boxing Day, aside from relaxing at the hotel, explore idyllic local villages or visit Westonbirt Arboretum, just 10 minutes’ drive away. In the evening, guests will be served a glass of Champagne followed by dinner with paired wines. The price is from £2,390 per room / £1,195 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ accommodation with breakfast, Christmas lunch, evening dinner and other meals/drinks as specified.

Ellenborough Park is a five-star country house hotel located on the edge of the Cotswolds. The hotel’s indulgent two-night Christmas break includes menus which cater for all tastes. On Christmas Eve, a warm welcome awaits with mulled wine and mince pies, followed by early evening carols where a children’s choir will perform festive favourites. Christmas Day is all about indulgence; the morning starts with a luxurious gift hamper from the team at Ellenborough Park, and then a Bucks Fizz breakfast. The afternoon is the main event with a Champagne & canapé reception served in the Great Hall followed by a delicious and indulgent Christmas lunch, served with all the trimmings. Relax during the afternoon before a light supper and some fun activities for the family. On Boxing Day, after a hearty breakfast, visit Cheltenham for some sales shopping or walk a section of The Cotswolds Way before returning for dinner in the evening. Ellenborough Park is welcoming guests throughout the festive season with activities such as movie nights and treasure hunts planned to entertain the whole family. The price is from £789pp for two nights or £1,603pp for three nights. Inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, dinner, Christmas lunch, entertainment and other meals/drinks specified.

Fancy exploring London without the crowds? The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is a five-star hotel perfectly situated opposite Green Park in Mayfair, boasting a striking exterior living wall of plants and an eclectic collection of artwork. On Christmas Day, a delicious four-course Christmas lunch (£95 per person) will be served in the hotel’s elegant restaurant, 116 at The Athenaeum, and there will be plenty of time for guests to enjoy a walk past some of London’s most iconic sites – be it Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus – before enjoying a drink at The View, the exclusive residents-only lounge, with its panoramic views over London. The price for a one-night stay is from £258 total/£129 pp (two sharing) on a room-only basis. Guests staying for three nights will enjoy a 20% reduction on the room rate.

Relax and be pampered this Christmas at Grove of Narbeth, a privately-owned luxury hotel in the heart of the glorious Pembrokeshire countryside. Check in on Christmas Eve for a three-night stay in an individually-designed bedroom adorned with art, antiques and Welsh blankets; indulge in tasty treats such as festive tea, cakes and mulled wine and, on Christmas Day itself, a decadent Christmas lunch. There are stylish drawing rooms with cosy log fires and wonderful countryside to explore on the doorstep. Nearby, make time to visit the market town of Narberth and enjoy bracing coastal walks. The price is from £1,825 per room / £912.50 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ accommodation, plus daily breakfast, lounge tea with mulled wine and cakes, pre-dinner drinks and evening dinner. Bookings must be made directly with the hotel.

For a festive break full of gastronomy, pampering and Christmas sparkle, head to the Lake District’s Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, near Windermere. Gilpin Hotel has 28 bedrooms (including the Spa Suites, Spa Lodges and Garden Suites, which come with private hot tubs and spa facilities), Michelin-starred restaurant HRiSHi and more casual pan-Asian Gilpin Spice, a Champagne bar and even resident llamas and alpacas in the grounds. The separate 100-acre estate, Gilpin Lake House, houses a further 12 guests, with exclusive access to a four-acre lake, hot tubs, saunas and indoor pool. This Christmas, the hotel currently has rooms available in both locations. Arriving on 23rd December, the four-night Christmas Package includes a Christmas Eve treasure hunt and lunch, a Christmas Day Champagne reception followed by The Christmas Day Feast, plus a casual supper and, the next day, a Boxing Day walk with a fireside lunch in the Lake House grounds. The price is from £2,650 total / £1,325 pp (two sharing a Gilpin Hotel Classic Room), including four nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, and lunch on three days.

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa in Suffolk is made up of three Tudor houses and the village’s historic Wool Hall. The luxurious half-timbered hotel boasts oak beamed interiors, roaring log fires, cosy nooks and delicious food – the ideal spot for a winter warming three-night Christmas stay.  Arriving on Christmas Eve, the festive break will include all meals – leisurely breakfasts, festive cream teas, candlelit dinners and, of course, a wonderful Christmas Day celebration with Champagne & canapés followed by a five-course Christmas lunch. Guests are welcome at the local church for Midnight Mass, and a guided walk around the medieval village of Lavenham is planned for Boxing Day. The price is from £1,839 total/£919.50 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ accommodation, all meals and other activities specified.

Oenophiles should spend Christmas at The Vineyard in Berkshire, a five-star hotel renowned for its 30,000-bottle wine cellar, impeccable service and award-winning restaurant. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a glass of Champagne or mulled wine upon arrival and a delicious three-course Christmas Eve dinner. Wake up on Christmas Day to a festive breakfast and presents, then relax with your loved ones before settling down to an exquisite five-course Christmas Day lunch, Vineyard-style.  In the evening, a festive hamper full of goodies will be delivered to your room. There is also time to take advantage of The Vineyard spa – an oasis of calm. A two-night Festive Break is priced from £1,592 total / £769 pp (two sharing a Luxury double room). Spa access should be reserved in advance.

To book any of these carefully-crafted Christmas breaks, please contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).

Notes to Editors:

Christmas photography of the hotels highlighted is available to download here:

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For general photography please visit: www.prideofbritainhotels.com/press

Please note that hotels’ opening dates are subject to possible fluctuations due to tier system amendments by the Government.

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