What to expect on a festive UK break with HF Holidays

The festive period might still be a few months away, but it's creeping up on us fast. So for those eager to get into the Yuletide spirit, we've got some fabulous ideas for spending Christmas and New Year away from home.   

Here's our handy guide to what you can expect when you book a festive break at one of our 15 characterful UK country houses.  

With everything from Victorian manor houses and elegant Georgian mansions to converted farmhouses, and lakeside hideaways, we offer wonderful winter escapes within easy reach of some of the UK’s best-loved national parks and National Landscapes. While each have their own character and charm, all our houses will be decorated with Christmas trees, tinsel, and twinkling lights to help spread some festive cheer.

We pull out all the stops at this time of year and that includes extra fabulous food and a fair few festive treats. Staying on a full-board basis, you’ll enjoy a mulled wine reception on arrival, plus daily afternoon teas complete with Christmas cake and mince pies. Alongside a choice of cooked or continental breakfasts each morning and generous packed lunches, you can look forward to seasonally-themed three-course evening meals, all carefully planned by our expert chefs.

There are games and activities to get involved with (or ignore when that roaring fireplace beckons), gorgeous grounds for strolling in, and comfortable lounges ideal for cosying up with a good book and a glass of mulled wine. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a quiz, of course. Our after-dinner HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz is a weekly staple. And if you’re staying with us on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, the quiz will have a festive theme.

This year, we’ve created three brand-new festive breaks that combine a choice of guided winter walks with some of the best Christmas markets and festive experiences in the UK. With limited availability due to their huge popularity, these breaks will be gone faster than the last mince pie. Find out more about our Christmas Markets & Winter Walking breaks, here.

If the thought of finding extra chairs, setting the table, and spending hours slogging away in the kitchen has you reaching for the sherry already, we’ll take care of absolutely everything (including the washing up). Book to stay with us on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve and you’ll be treated to a pre-dinner drinks reception followed by a celebratory four-course evening meal with all the trimmings. On New Year’s Eve there'll also be a live band or DJ* to keep you dancing until midnight when we’ll see in 2025 with a toast of complimentary drinks.

*Except New Year Bridge holidays