Culture Food & Travel News & features

Tewinbury launches festive countryside retreats for December with carols, themed parties and seasonal dining

Tewinbury launches festive countryside retreats for December with carols, themed parties and seasonal dining
Tewinbury launches festive countryside retreats for December with carols, themed parties and seasonal dining

Tewinbury, the family-run hotel and farm near Welwyn in Hertfordshire, is hosting a series of festive events throughout December aimed at offering guests a seasonal retreat from urban life. Just 30 minutes from central London, they will feature themed afternoon teas, live carol performances, party nights, special menus and overnight stays in a range of rural accommodation.

The programme will take place across several on-site locations, beginning in early December and continuing through to Christmas. Highlights include the Festive Afternoon Tea with Carols, which will be held on Sunday 14th, Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th December in the “rustic yet elegant” Tythe Barn. The tea will feature traditional fare, accompanied by mulled wine or Bucks Fizz and live performances of Christmas carols by a local singer.

Dining options throughout the month include two- and three-course festive menus at The Cowshed (that offers “proper British” fine dining) and Granary Kitchen (Tewinbury’s destination for farm-to-fork casual cuisine), priced at £48 and £42 respectively. The menus make use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, with dishes such as Ballotine of Slow-cooked Turkey with All the Trimmings, Seared Chalk Stream Trout and Miso-glazed Cauliflower. Guests are invited to conclude their meals with a festive cocktail by the fire.

For those looking to celebrate in larger groups, Tewinbury is also offering 1980s-themed Joiner Party Nights in the Meadow Barn (available for both private hire and group bookings). These evenings will be accompanied by live music from tribute band Fashionably 80s, with themed décor, a retro photo booth and interactive performances from dancing waiters.

Accommodation packages start at £175 per night and include a variety of options such as boutique suites, converted farm buildings, shepherd huts and lakeside lodges with private hot tubs. Guests can enjoy countryside views, seasonal breakfasts and access to the full calendar of festive events.

The team is excited to welcome revellers, saying, “Tewinbury invites you to slow down and embrace the joy and sparkle of the season with a calendar of magical festive experiences”.

Food Desk

Tewinbury’s Christmas programme is on from 1st until 24th December 2025. For further information or to book, visit their website here.

More in Food & Drinks

Gloria introduces Italo Sunday Club with Italian sharing feast in Shoreditch

Food & Travel Desk

Burnt Ends celebrates 13th anniversary with global chef takeovers from four continents

Food & Travel Desk

Peruvian chef Jaime Pesaque brings Mayta flavours to Ricard Camarena restaurant for one-night collaboration in Valencia

Food & Travel Desk

Julie’s team to restore historic Prince Edward pub in Notting Hill as all-day neighbourhood venue

Food & Travel Desk

Holy Carrot Bistro opens in Spitalfields, bringing fire-led, vegetable-focused dining to east London

Food & Travel Desk

Maison Pommery to host exclusive champagne tasting at Sycamore in Covent Garden this April

Food & Travel Desk

New low-calorie lager Fit Cat set to debut in premium London venues this April

Food & Travel Desk

American-Irish pub and jockey club The Horsemen & Fitzgerald’s to open on Broadgate this April

Food & Travel Desk

The Kensington unveils surrealist afternoon tea inspired by V&A’s Schiaparelli exhibition

Food & Travel Desk