Twixmas breaks

Following the chaos of Christmas and before the antics of New Year’s Eve, put your feet up and indulge in a winterval break revolving around beautiful surroundings, blissful pampering and top-notch dining

Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth

If you want to remove yourself from the bustle and use the in-between-festivities break to focus on your wellbeing, plot a Twixmas trip to Plymouth for a rejuvenating spa retreat at Boringdon Hall.

Twixmas breaks at the Grade II‑listed hotel are based around experiences at its luxe Gaia Spa, with guests able to choose between a three-night Awakening, two-night Balancing or one-night Calming Spa Break.

These stays are swimming in wonderful experiences – in and out of the spa. At Gaia, make the most of the heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool and bliss out in a 60-minute treatment of your choice. When you’re not being thoroughly pampered in the spa, you’ll be treated to exquisite dining adventures not only in the Mayflower Brasserie, but also in head chef Scott Paton’s Michelin-starred restaurant Àclèaf.

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

Exquisitely long lie-ins, afternoons spent lazing in the spa or strolling the hotel grounds and relaxed fine dining – this Cheltenham bolthole bridges the gap between Christmas and new year in sumptuous style.

Under the warming glow of chandeliers and sconces, visitors can savour exquisite Cotswolds dishes in the grand-yet-unstuffy wood-panelled restaurant. Appetite satiated, there’s nothing like retiring to one of Ellenborough Park‘s individually styled suites, bedrooms, or the luxurious new lodge for post‑dinner slumber among country chic decor and lavish extras.

Guests staying during Twixmas won’t want to miss booking the exclusive wine and cheese tasting on December 26, led by Ellenborough’s head sommelier. The session will give attendees a chance to sample a selection of fine wines from renowned vineyards, learn about their different characteristics and how they complement or unlock unique flavours in artisan cheeses.

Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay

Whether you’re craving more of the same Christmas-level gluttony to see you through until the new year, or want to swerve the over-indulgence slump with a dose of wellness (or fancy a healthy mix of both), adults-only Fistral Beach Hotel delivers.

Overlooking the golden sands of Fistral Beach, this contemporary hotel is the place to stay for adventures in the coastal wilds. Chase invigorating jumps in the icy ocean with warming spells in the spa’s bubbling jacuzzi, or follow a stomp on the coastline with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a good book in the cosy sanctuary of your sea-view room.

If you’d rather spend most of the break cocooning yourself in the hotel with quality drinks and dining, Bay Bar and Trencherman’s-rated restaurant Dune are at your service. Head chef Daniel Kerr makes seasonal Cornish ingredients sing in his five-course tasting menus.

Number One Bruton, Somerset

Make the most of the winterval break by exploring the gourmet magnet that is Bruton and score a room at one of its most exquisite escapes. Number One Bruton (a townhouse, medieval forge and row of cottages beautifully renovated into a 12-bedroom hotel) has become the place for discerning foodies to reside while staycationing this side of Somerset.

Expect lavish furnishings and beautiful architectural features in the Georgian townhouse, exposed beams and quarry-tiled floors in the cottages, and stone walls and Crittall windows in the forge. A stay wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the award-winning cooking from Merlin Labron-Johnson at his farm-to-table restaurant Osip, located at Number One.

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

Those seeking quintessential luxury in the countryside will find it at this five-star country house hotel and spa.

Nestled on the edge of the New Forest, this enchanting setting provides a fitting backdrop for continuing festive celebrations with loved ones. Seasonal treats during a Twixmas break can include the likes of a traditional afternoon tea (with a Yuletide spin) in the comfortable lounges and invigorating treatments in the high-end spa.

While visitors soak up the elegant surroundings and make the most of the estate’s many amenities (which includes a tennis court and cookery school), executive head chef Luke Matthews and brigade create hyper-local dishes utilising own-grown produce from Chewton’s kitchen garden and serve them in the festooned Dining Room.

Like 5 of the best Twixmas breaks? Dive into our collection of Christmas breaks.

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