Last-minute Christmas breaks

Is the thought of cooking Christmas lunch for a crowd keeping you up at night? It’s not too late to ditch the hosting and book a last-minute Christmas break in Devon or Cornwall

Hotel Meudon, Cornwall

Take sanctuary at the seaside by booking a last-minute Christmas break at Hotel Meudon near Falmouth. Located on Cornwall’s stunning south coast with sub-tropical gardens and a secret beach, this is a coastal paradise where you can completely switch off and let someone else prep the turkey and trimmings.

Book the three-night Christmas at Hotel Meudon package to delight in seasonal food, live music and traditional party games. Between moments of relaxation and indulgence, guests can head outdoors to wander around the hotel’s magical gardens or explore the South West Coast Path which passes its door. Pack your swimwear to join locals for the annual Boxing Day sea dip – those who brave the icy waters are rewarded with hot water bottles, warming mulled wine and nibbles before they head back to the hotel to relax by the log fire in the drawing room.

Already sorted for Christmas? The two-night Recharger Package is perfect for those who want to relax and rejuvenate after the festive madness and before the New Year celebrations.

The Horn of Plenty, Devon

If gourmet food and country walks top your Christmas wish list, make a beeline for The Horn of Plenty on the edge of Dartmoor. This foodie hotspot is already fully booked for Christmas but there’s still time to reserve a restorative Twixmas or New Year’s Eve stopover. With roaring fires and mulled wine on tap, all you’ll need to do is get snug and revel in the hospitality.

A two- or three-night Twixmas Break includes dinner, bed and breakfast, with afternoon tea and mince pies on arrival and a five-course tasting menu on one evening of your stay. Highlights of the New Year Break include a Prosecco reception followed by a six-course dinner, a New Year’s Day tasting menu with matched wines, a falconry display and afternoon tea each day.

Non-residents can also take advantage of The Horn of Plenty’s festive lunch and dinner menus (available from December 1). Alongside traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, expect to indulge in elegant wintry dishes such as roast guinea fowl with pomme purée, salsify, wild mushroom and jus.

Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Cornwall

This contemporary cliffside retreat on the rugged north Cornwall coast has all bases covered this Christmas, offering both adult-only and family breaks by cleverly splitting the hotel in two.

Those after a quiet Christmas – solo or with loved ones – can book A Grown-Up Christmas escape. Start the days with a walk or dip at Mawgan Porth before recharging in the Bedruthan spa (which comes complete with sea-view hydro-pool, sauna, steam room and swimming pool). Families, meanwhile, can enjoy meeting Father Christmas and getting involved in festive-themed craft and creative workshops throughout their stay.

Highlights for all include mulled wine (or hot chocolate) and mince pies on arrival and a hamper of treats in their room. Breakfasts, dinners and Christmas lunch are all included, with adults-only dining at the Herring restaurant and families in the Wild Cafe. Expect to feast on contemporary interpretations of traditional Christmas favourites, crafted from the finest local produce.

Lympstone Manor, Devon

For a once-in-a-lifetime luxury Christmas break, make Lympstone Manor your home for the holiday.

Be sure to pace yourself as you indulge in three days and nights of feasting. The festivities kick off on Christmas Eve with a mince pie and mulled wine welcome to the soundtrack of carols from a local brass band, followed by chef owner Michael Caines’ eight-course signature tasting menu. Christmas morning starts with a laid-back Champagne breakfast, before a traditional Christmas dinner which features Michael’s mum’s (famous) Christmas pudding.

On Boxing Day, blow away the cobwebs with a tour of Lympstone’s vineyards followed by a wine-tasting experience with resident wine expert Steve Edwards. End the evening with a relaxed a la carte dinner before a final night’s slumber and breakfast before departure.

St Enodoc Hotel, Cornwall

Wake up to sweeping views of the Camel Estuary on Christmas morning when you take a four-night festive stay at St Enodoc Hotel. Whether you cosy up indoors or get outside and explore the area’s beautiful beaches, a stay at this privately-owned bolthole can be as relaxing or as active as you wish.

Enjoy mince pies and a welcome drink on arrival on December 23 followed by a three-course dinner in the evening. Hardy guests can take the plunge with an invigorating Christmas morning sea dip before the traditional lunchtime feast. You needn’t fret about finding someone to look after Fido over Christmas either: the hotel is pooch friendly.

Like 5 of the best last-minute Christmas breaks? Check out our roundup of festive afternoon teas in the South West.

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