Every smart holiday business and hotelier will want to know about Twixmas, a rising star in the festive market.
It’s a term – derived from the old English word betwixt, for ‘between’ – that has been coined to describe the five-day lull after Boxing Day until New Year’s Eve, when not much is going on but which allows ample time for a cheeky getaway. And this year there’s a wealth of wonderful ideas around to help you see out the end of 2021 in style. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites.
Enjoy cocktail masterclasses Verzon House, just outside the market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire’s Wye Valley, where mixologists at the bar will teach you the secrets behind shaking and stirring.
Verzon House is pictured. Guests can enjoy delicious seasonal meals made with Herefordshire beef.
The Verzon House bridal suite is shown in the picture. A junior suite for two nights from December 28 is £320, based on two sharing
Verzon House hosts cocktail masterclasses. The bar’s mixologists can teach you all about shaking and stirring cocktails.
If you prefer, enjoy the stunning view from your luxury room and enjoy delicious seasonal meals made with Herefordshire Beef.
A junior suite for two nights from December 28 is £320, based on two sharing (verzonhouse.com).
Take a look at The Grove hotel, HertfordshireExplore the 300-acre park on your Segway, bike or scooter. Or, take advantage of the brilliant Twixmas offerings that include archery, arts and crafts and woodland trails.
You don’t have to be so energetic if you want something more relaxing.
A Twixmas stay costs from £485 per room per night (thegrove.co.uk).
You can explore The Grove’s 300-acre estate in Hertfordshire on a Segway and bike.
Take advantage of the Twixmas lull, and go to The Grove lounge (pictured) for afternoon tea or a festive tipple.
Pictured is the hydrotherapy pool at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa in Northamptonshire, which offers a variety of heat and ice experiences
Tea time at North Yorkshire’s Feversham Arms Hotel
Take a look at North Yorkshire’s Feversham Arms HotelYou and Me Time Spa Break in Helmsley offers a romantic three-course meal, a 60 minute spa treatment, and a full Yorkshire breakfast.
From £260 per room per night (fevershamarmshotel.com).
There is no better place to burn off excess mince pie than Northamptonshire’s Whittlebury Hall Hotel & SpaYou will love the heat and ice of this place. There’s an aromatherapy crystal steam room, a caldarium (a Roman-style hot bathing room), foot spas, a hydrotherapy pool and an ice cave.
Its two-night Indulgent Spa Stay includes two treatments. From £432 per person (spabreaks.com).
Take a look at Lime Wood Hotel is located in New Forest, you’re perfectly placed for exploring the Hampshire countryside, or just hunker down and enjoy the gorgeous Herb House Spa and Angela Hartnett’s festive menu.
B&B from £675 per person per night over Twixmas (limewoodhotel.co.uk).
You can see above the tables for Angela Hartnett at Lime Wood Hotel New Forest.
One of the Lime Wood Hotel’s rooms. Prices for bed and breakfast at the hotel start from £675 per person per night over Twixmas
Enjoy the charming manor of Ellenborough ParkThis beautiful location is near Cheltenham in the Cotswolds. It transforms over the Christmas holidays into a Winter Wonderland with twinkling lights, grand Christmas trees, and a Great Hall. Relax in the small spa or explore the stunning grounds.
B&B Twixmas breaks start from £399 per room per night (ellenboroughpark.com).
Get rid of Christmas excesses and visit Gloucestershire Tudor Farmhouse HotelThe Wye Valley’s Forest of Dean is home to the village of Wye Valley. Symonds Yat, Tintern and the Wye River Walk are within easy striking distance, and if needed you’ll be armed with walking maps and a picnic.
Enchanted: Ellenborough Park’s manor, seen above. It is located on the border of the Cotswolds. B&B Twixmas breaks start from £399 per room per night
On your return, sample delicious local produce in the restaurant before retreating to one of 20 luxury rooms – think rolltop baths, super-comfy beds, monsoon showers and Nespresso coffee machines.
B&B from £159 per room per night (tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk).
It’s time to get out of it all The Bothy, a pretty detached cottage in the Yorkshire Dales village of Arncliffe – the original setting for Emmerdale Farm. It’s a great spot for ramblers, with walks to Malham and Kettlewell on your doorstep, or a two-minute walk will get you to The Falcon Inn, which was used as The Woolpack pub in the soap.
Pictured above is the Bothy. It’s a detached cottage situated in Arncliffe (Yorkshire Dales).
You can walk to Malham or Kettlewell from The Bothy.
Five nights for two over Twixmas costs £818 (snaptrip.com).
Blackbird Luxury HouseboatThe off-grid retreat of Holsworthy is located on Holsworthy’s lake near the Devon/Cornwall border. The traditional canal boat has been refitted to offer an open-plan living space with kitchen diner and en suite shower room, as well as its very own bankside ‘boudoir bathhouse’ with an elegant rolltop bath. The woodburner and sumptuous double bed with amazing views of the lake ensure you’ll feel super-cosy.
A three-night break for two starts from £1,000 (tregullandandco.co.uk).
Blackbird is a luxury houseboat that’s located on Holsworthy near Holsworthy at the Devon/Cornwall boundary.
Blackbird, an off-the-grid getaway has undergone a complete renovation to create an open-plan living environment. It boasts its very own bankside ‘boudoir bathhouse’ with an elegant rolltop bath (pictured on the right)
The village of Wedmore is home to a stunning cedar-clad barn conversion. It offers panoramic views across the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor and beyond. There are many day trips nearby, including Cheddar Gorge with its cathedral, Wells and Burnham-on-Sea. You can find Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve right at your door.
Four nights for two over Twixmas costs £690 (snaptrip.com).
If you’re after some low-key luxury, settle down at a rustic pub.
It Duncombe Arms, set on the edge of the Peak District and a stone’s throw from the Pennines, is well located for bracing walks. Its ten bedrooms are available from £195 B&B per night (duncombearms.co.uk). Or at the recently restored Bottle & Glass, a gorgeous thatched inn just outside Henley, the Chilterns are close by and an award-winning restaurant awaits for when you’ve worked up an appetite. Rooms cost from £360 for a three-night stay (bottleandglassinn.com).
Six self-catering stables at The Farm at Avebury (Wiltshire)Avebury Unesco World Heritage Site is visible from your balcony. A two-night Twixmas stay in a one-bedroom stable starts from £330. If you’re keen for a break with the entire family, hire out the whole farm – it sleeps 22 – which costs from £3,590 for two nights (thefarmatavebury.co.uk).
This is Newhall Mains’ main building. Private airfields are available on the estate so that guests have access to flights above Highlands and Sutherland coastlines.
Two-bedroom Euan cottage at Newhall Mains, pictured above, is available over Twixmas from £330 per night
The beautiful cottages north of Inverness Newhall Mains, Black IsleA private airfield is available for guests who wish to fly the Highlands or Sutherland Coast.
Two-bedroom Euan cottage is available over Twixmas from £330 per night (newhall-mains.com).
With epic views along Dorset’s Jurassic coastline, the Pennsylvania Castle Estate located on the Isle of Portland The stunning scenery affords five luxurious clifftop lodges that sleep four and offers an incredible backdrop. From £1,174 for a three-night stay (thepennestate.co.uk).
Five super-luxe, clifftop lodges are set in the stunning backdrop of Pennsylvania Castle Estate.
Guests at the Pennsylvania Castle Estate can enjoy epic views of Dorset’s Jurassic coastline (pictured)
Pennsylvania Castle Estate pool. Prices start from £1,174 for a three-night stay at the estate’s clifftop lodges
The pursuit of luxury continues Lincolnshire lakeside cottagesThe interiors are Scandi-inspired and feature large windows which make the most out of the serene lake views. Every large decked terrace has a sunken tub, firepit and an outdoor grill.
The cabins, sleeping two, are surrounded by 17 acres of private woodland, and there’s a rowing boat available if you fancy a lake picnic.
Four nights costs from £1,305 (qualityunearthed.co.uk).
Scandi-style: Luxury cabin on Lakeside, Lincolnshire. It is surrounded by private woodland of 17 acres.
Stay in one the many lodges located within this 1,000-acre area for the same scene-setting experience Gisburne Park Estate in Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley, where you’ll find the historic walled gardens transformed into a picturesque wonderland complete with reindeer and Santa’s grotto.
Lodges (sleeping up to six) from £765 for three nights (ribblesdalepark.com).
At the stargazer lodge, Blaithwaite EstateThe Solway Coast and Lake District are home to these mezzanine levels, which sleep between four and six people. The 250-acre estate has trails, forests, giant chess and crazy golf. By night, the duvet can be used to watch the moon and other stars. Costs £545 per lodge for four Twixmas nights (blaithwaite.co.uk).
One of the Blaithwaite estate’s stargazer lodges, located between Lake District and Solway Coast
Stargazer lodge interior. A mezzanine is an upper level that has large windows on the roof. Each lodge can sleep from 4 to 6 people.
When you pack your bags at the airport, give the car some space Snoozy Bear Cabin, a cosy and quirky converted artist’s studio for just the two of you on the North Pembrokeshire coast.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is right outside the door, or it’s a 15-minute walk to the beaches of Abermawr and Aberbach.
Four nights over Twixmas costs from £804 (qualityunearthed.co.uk).
What about taking a break from the screens with a glamping trip?
It shepherds’ huts at Romney MarshThe tranquil Twixmas scene in, Kent’s wetland, is complemented by a small flock of Romney sheep as your only neighbors.
The shepherds’ huts at Romney Marsh are nestled in a wetland area in Kent, which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
These huts make a great Twixmas escape – the only neighbors will be a small flock of Romney ewes.
Three nights costs from £361 for two adults (bloomstays.com).
At the glamping domes Abbey Farm NorfolkThe log-burner is included, along with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. With mulled wine and mince pies on arrival, a hot tub, plus a hamper full of goodies to enjoy around the fire pit, you couldn’t ask for a cosier Twixmas.
Four nights costs from £2,750 for up to six people (abbeyfarmnorfolk.com).