Looking for a pre-Christmas shopping break, a quick rural getaway with a little twinkle before the yuletide onslaught, or somewhere to gather your whole extended family under one festive roof? Here are some excellent destinations in beautiful Herefordshire and the Wye Valley.
St Columba’s Bed & Breakfast – Weobley
Only opened this year, following an extensive refurbishment by its new owners, (who also own stylish self-catering Mistletoe Cottage in nearby Kinnersley), St Columba’s has the original Tudor features that make for an atmospheric medieval stay.
With just one sumptuously designed 4-Poster B&B bedroom (and your own attic room lounge with space for a further 2 people to sleep in the same party if required), your stay is pretty exclusive, and you won’t have to mix with strangers over your light breakfast.
Weobley village itself is probably one of the best serviced locations on Herefordshire’s Black & White Village Trail, with excellent restaurants, local shops, and wonderful walks including its own heritage trail.
Festive Feels
These kinds of characterful properties almost feel Christmassy all year round, and Simon and William’s flair will have added creative holly and ivy touches will plenty of warm sparkle. Located right at the centre on the picture-book High Street, plan your visit around the 17 or 30 November and enjoy the village Craft and Food Fayre, and the Christmas Fayre for some real community spirit.
Green Dragon Hotel – Hereford
One of Britain’s oldest hotels, this 83 room City Centre destination, including cocktail bar, brasserie restaurant and cosy lounge, was completely refurbished in 2019 and it offers plenty for the winter City visitor, whether you are staying there or not. From mid-November, the façade is lit with Christmas trees, perfect for that shopping vibe.
Festive Feels
Enjoy a seasonally themed menu of delicious dishes from their Festive Set Menu, served from 29 November until 29 December. Start a Christmas tradition that will be remembered for generations to come, with a Christmas Afternoon Tea, available every Saturday throughout December plus Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December. Make Christmas Day a real rest and celebration with a five-course Lunch, served to you in The Hereford Bar & Brasserie on the 25 December from noon.
Overnight packages are available.
The Temple Bar Inn – Ewyas Harold
Herefordshire’s Golden Valley becomes even more joyful with the onset of Noel and nowhere more than at the Temple Bar Inn at the heart of the village. Enjoying the fruits of their refurbishment labour, owners Rachael and Gino have gently re-vamped this ever-popular hub of the community and its rooms with more modern colours and styling, and some subtle re-configurations.
Gaining a great reputation for their food and dining, a stay here is both a getaway with fantastic winter walking in the Black Mountains and a sociable time with the locals.
Festive Feels
With a twinkly welcome and the woodburner glowing, you can enjoy festive lunch and evening menus from 20 November alongside their regular gastro dishes. Christmas Day will be for drinks only, though Boxing Day sees the dining room resume with an extended lunch period from 12-4pm.
After a normal lunch service, New Year’s Eve is when the party starts, with a free evening buffet and live music, and once again an extended lunch service on New Year’s Day.
Book your room now to enjoy this most wonderful time of the year in the countryside.
Little Gaerfields and Tre-Vern Holiday Barns – Near Ross-on-Wye
If you need to get a big family together or want to meet as a group of friends over Christmas, these two luxury holiday barns are just the ticket.
Easy to converge to from various parts of the country, they’re perfect for multi-generational breaks because they mix activity with relaxation and plenty of space. Sleeping up to 25 and 28 respectively, many rooms are en-suite and there is exclusive use of the indoor swimming pool.
Festive Feels
Converted from original farm buildings, both properties have all the rustic charm with modern conveniences, so the huge Christmas trees in the double height areas are spectacular and the loooooonnng dining tables can seat everyone for your big feasts. Don’t want to cook? Choose from a whole list of catering professionals to suit your needs and make it a real party without the hassle.
The Angel Hotel – Abergavenny
A break at The Angel transports you to a world of luxury at this landmark property in the centre of Abergavenny. With 31 rooms plus an exclusive collection of satellite cottages (where the kitchens are fully stocked for artisan breakfasts and a complimentary taxi service will take you to dine at the hotel), Christmas features high on the hospitality agenda.
Festive Feels
With the feel of an American Christmas movie, The Angel goes all out on full blown decorations, many crafted and themed especially for the hotel, making this a spectacle of its own. Thanksgiving on 28 November launches a whole programme of seasonal events and accompanying special menus. Glitzy and fun the Apres-Ski Bar opens for weekends on 30 November with a raucous party, followed by traditionally staged Fondue Nights during the week, featuring authentic delicacies.
For a more elegant affair indulge in a Festive High Tea from 28 November delivering an array of exquisite seasonal cakes and pastries alongside dainty sandwiches and a splendidly curated list of teas from around the world.
From 29 November treat yourself to a three-course Festive Angel Menu in the Oak Room and Foxhunter Bar as well as a varying à la carte menu.
Visiting Santa at The Angel has become a family tradition. On Sundays 8 and 15 December pre-book a magical ride in Santa’s horse drawn sleigh through the streets of Abergavenny, departing from the front of the hotel, complete with glass of fizz for grown-ups and a hot chocolate for children.
Find even more festive information here.
Castle House Hotel – Hereford
Hereford City’s boutique Regency hotel, with cathedral views, is perfectly placed for some Christmas shopping, especially late nights on Wednesdays from end of November.
Individually designed rooms and suites, a roaring fire in the lounge and light bright garden room dining make this an elegant stay in swish Castle Street, overlooking the original Castle moat, now a pretty pool.
Festive Feels
Lunch and Evening festive menus are available for groups, but couples and families can enjoy Christmas Day in style without needing numbers (just booking of course).
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel – Forest of Dean
Tucked in the picturesque village of Clearwell, Tudor Farmhouse is renowned for its rosette dining, luxury rooms and themed breaks, and the Christmas season allows them to be even more extravagant.
Festive Feels
We love how each room has a little hint of Christmas in it.
The Christmas festivities begin on Christmas Eve with a visit to the magical Clearwell Caves where you’ll discover the secret world beneath the Forest. Then back to the hotel for some warming mulled wine and homemade mince pies while listening to the sounds of their brass quartet before dinner.
What better way to start Christmas Day than with a sparkling Bucks Fizz breakfast, before enjoying a delicious traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. In the evening a light dinner is the perfect way to end the day.
Then enjoy a leisurely Boxing Day breakfast before leaving the hotel, and for those guests staying, why not wrap up warm and head out for a festive walk with resident hotel guide Geoff, returning in time for afternoon tea. In the evening indulge in a chilled Champagne and a 5-course tasting menu with entertainment.
Book your luxury Christmas here.
To find out all the Herefordshire Christmas events and entertainment look on our big Christmas page here.