Popcorn and pantomimes, cocktails and carols, bandstand singing and black tie dinners…it’s Christmas as you’d dream it (not dread it)

Elite Hotels – a privately-owned collection of three individual and distinctive hotels in idyllic settings – proposes some fabulous festive outings, overnight stays and house parties this coming December.

At Tylney Hall in Hampshire

At the end of a sweeping driveway, this magnificent, Victorian-era, Grade II Mansion – adorned with Christmas trees and twinkling lights – Tylney Hall is situated in 66 acres of glorious parkland and gardens near Hook in Hampshire. An outstanding example of a luxury country house hotel, Tylney Hall boasts an award-winning restaurant, and wellness facilities include an indoor pool, treatment rooms, and a gym. It also has the longest uninterrupted view in Hampshire, lined by Giant Redwood trees, it is a proud RHS Partner Garden. The gardens were originally created over many years by Gertrude Jekyll and highlights include the Italian and Dutch gardens, where visitors get a wonderful sight of the lake with its boathouse bridge; the Rose and Azalea Gardens, and the Water Garden – all beautiful and tranquil during winter.

Pre-Christmas treats for children

On Saturday 21st December, it’s panto-time. Jack and the Beanstalk will have all ages in fits of laughter. A magical, heart-warming tale, with popcorn for children and mulled wine for adults. £25 per ticket.
On Sunday 22 December and Monday 23 December, there will be a Children’s Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas. Expect lots of tasty goodies, and a gift for every child from the great man himself. £40 per child; £50 per adult.
A pre-Christmas overnight family stay costs from £187.50 per adult and £30 per child (aged 3 – 16 years; under 2s stay free). This is based on four sharing a Junior Suite, including breakfast.

The Christmas House Party Experience

Tylney Hall’s three-night House Party begins on Tuesday 24th December. Highlights include:
On Christmas Eve: Traditional Afternoon Tea on arrival, served in a cosy, fire-lit lounge – Cocktails and canapés, accompanied by a local choir for Christmas carols – A relaxed dinner, with musical accompaniment from the hotel’s resident pianist, followed by a televised Midnight Mass from Westminster, along with hot toddies and mince pies
On Christmas Day: Mulled wine and a visit from Father Christmas – A delightful light lunch with wine – King Charles III’s Christmas Day speech – Champagne and canapés, followed by a Christmas dinner – Soothing live saxophonist music
On Boxing Day: Bucks fizz – A three-course luncheon, accompanied by the hotel’s resident harpist – Champagne and canapés, followed by a five-course Black Tie Dinner, with live jazz music

Prices from £1,296 pp (two adults sharing a Classic Bedroom) for three nights’ full-board, from 24th to 27th December. Children from £324 each (under 2s stay free) when sharing their parents’ room.

Make the most of your time in Hampshire over Christmas

Within easy reach of Tylney Hall, there is festive fun aplenty, including:
– One of the best Christmas Markets in the UK, at Winchester Cathedral
– Berkshire’s number one Christmas destination, Reading Winter Wonderland
– Blenheim Palace at Christmas, featuring a light trail and Neverland in the Palace
-The Watercress Line Steam Illuminations, with Christmas music

To book, or for further information, click on Festive Season at Tylney Hall, or call 01256 764 881

At The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, on the southeast coast

There’s nowhere quite like ‘The White Palace’ at Christmas time. One of the very few five-star seafront hotels in the UK – with traditional comfort and service, luxurious accommodation, award-winning restaurants, excellent health and wellness facilities, and breath-taking views of the Sussex coastline – The Grand Hotel Eastbourne is somewhere special for a festive getaway.

Pre-Christmas fun for children

On Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st December, there will be a Children’s Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas. An unforgettable experience filled with laughter, joy, and the spirit of Christmas, with every child the recipient of a special gift. £19 per child; £44.50 per adult.
A pre-Christmas overnight family stay costs from £180 per adult and £30 per child (aged 3 – 12 years; under 2s stay free). This is based on four sharing a Junior Suite, including breakfast.

The Christmas House Party Experience

The Grand Hotel’s four-night House Party begins on Monday 23^rd December. Highlights include:
On 23 December: Afternoon Tea, with entertainment provided by Shelley van Loen and the Palm Court Strings – Dinner, with sounds from the Simon Goodwin Band
On Christmas Eve: A tutored tasting by the Cellar Master, sampling a range of modern Gin – A Scandinavian-themed Buffet Lunch – Afternoon Tea, and a general knowledge quiz with a Fortnum & Mason hamper for the winner – Champagne and canapés with St Mary’s choir music – Christmas Eve Dinner followed by music from the Co-stars Band
On Christmas Day: Quintessential Christmas luncheon – Children’s Christmas party, with a visit from Father Christmas – A selection of delicate sandwiches, Christmas cake and tea – A black-tie Christmas Dinner, with music from the Simon Goodwin Band
On Boxing Day: Snow White in pantomime at the nearby Devonshire Park after a Best of British buffet – Champagne with canapés – A black-tie Gala Dinner with live entertainment from Co-Stars Band
Prices from £1,365 pp (two adults sharing a Classic Bedroom) for four nights’ full-board, from 23^rd to 27^th December. Children from £435 each (under 2s stay free) when sharing their parents’ room.

Make the most of your time in Eastbourne over Christmas

– Get your skates on with a visit to Eastbourne’s Ice Rink
– A traditional pantomime: Snow White at The Devonshire Park Theatre
– Eastbourne Bandstand: festive favourites on Christmas Day and Boxing Day

To book, or for further information, click on Christmas at The Grand Hotel, or call 01323 412345

At Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club in East Sussex

Set within 186 acres of stunning grounds – featuring lakes, secret gardens and woodland trails – Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is a 19th century mansion, set in the heart of Ashdown Forest – the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s delightful Winnie-the-Pooh stories. With first class hospitality and service, luxurious accommodation, an award-winning restaurant, and superb spa and wellness facilities, it’s an exquisite place to spend time at Christmas.

Pre-Christmas Festive Afternoon Tea

From Wednesday 4th December – Monday 23rd December, get into the Christmas spirit beside a roaring log fire. Ashdown Park’s skilled pastry chef creates inspired culinary delights such as Mince pies with crumble and Baileys cream, and Amaretto and apple macaroons. From £34.50 per person.
A pre-Christmas overnight stay costs from £99.50 per person. This is based on two sharing a Deluxe Bedroom, including breakfast.

The Christmas House Party Experience

Ashdown Park’s three-night House Party begins on Tuesday 24^th December. Highlights include:
On Christmas Eve: Afternoon Tea – Champagne reception accompanied by Christmas carols – Dinner, followed by a televised Midnight Mass from Westminster, along with hot toddies and mince pies

On Christmas Day: Visit from Father Christmas – Estate Treasure Hunt with special prizes – Champagne and canapés – A delicious four-course Christmas dinner

On Boxing Day: Opportunity to try a variety of country pursuits, from clay pigeon shooting to archery – A sumptuous Buffet Lunch – General Manager’s Quiz, with tea and buttery crumpets –

Champagne and canapés – Fine dining – A Casino, accompanied by a live Jazz Band, in the Cocktail Bar

Prices from £1,215 pp (two adults sharing a Classic Bedroom) for three nights’ full-board, from 24^th to 27^th December. Children from £219 each (under 2s stay free) when sharing their parents’ room.

Make the most of your time in East Sussex over Christmas
– Tulley’s Farm Christmas Experience, including carol singing in Oak Hall
– The gardens and lake are transformed into a winter wonderland at Hever Castle
– Bluebell Railway’s magical steam train, adorned with thousands of colourful lights

To book, or for further information, click on Christmas at Ashdown Park, or call 01342 824 988.

ENDS / 12 September 2024

Notes to Editors
A small, independent UK-based hotel group, Elite Hotels has invested in some of the UK’s most beautiful historic houses since 1986. The first of these was Tylney Hall Hotel, Hampshire, followed by Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, East Sussex, and The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne. Each of the three Elite Hotels is a member of Small Luxury Hotels, a prestigious consortium representing over 500 of the best independent hotels in 70 countries.

Press: For media enquiries, commissioned press trips or photography, please contact Jane Collyer or Gemma Minto at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 (main office number), or email j.collyer@travelpr.co.uk / g.minto@travelpr.co.uk