Tucked away on the High Street of the beautiful Georgian town of Lymington, just moments from the New Forest National Park, Stanwell House transforms each winter into a sparkling festive sanctuary! Guests are greeted by our twinkling lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon, glasses clinking, and laughter echoing through warm, candlelit rooms. Whether you’re planning a family Christmas, a romantic escape by a crackling fire, a group celebration, or a solo retreat, read on for a full guide of festive delights.
Stay in Style
Step through our doors and into the magic of the season for a cosy Christmas break. Our homely décor glows with soft lights, and comfort greets you at every turn. With 27 boutique rooms, each individually designed, we offer the perfect setting for every kind of guest, featuring luxurious touches for a fantastic winter escape. Choose from luxury doubles and garden-view retreats to spacious suites and loft rooms, and share the festive season with your favourite people. From couples seeking romance, families gathering together, or solo travellers craving peace and quiet – even four-legged friends are welcome in select rooms, so nobody misses out on the fun!For solo travellers, our House Rooms also offer a peaceful retreat where you can unwind, reflect, and indulge in well-deserved calm.
Whether you’re here for a two-night festive break, a longer Christmas getaway, or a few blissful Twixmas days between Christmas and New Year, enjoy the gentle pace of Twixmas with long breakfasts, wintry forest walks, crackling fires and indulgent dinners by the fire with a glass of mulled wine. It’s the ideal moment to unwind, reflect, and reset before the year ahead.
Festive Dining
Food is the heart of every celebration at Stanwell House, and Christmas is no exception. At our stylish Samphire Restaurant, our focus is on flavour, local produce, and a touch of festive indulgence. Throughout December, our guests can enjoy our two or three-course festive set menu, filled with seasonal favourites and creative twists.
Begin with starters like honey-roast fig, apricot harissa prawns, or a warming soup that tastes like winter in a bowl. For the main event, choose between a classic turkey roulade with all the trimmings, a beautifully pan-roasted hake with smoked parsnip purée and pomegranate, or a vegetarian beetroot and gnocchi dish with whipped creamy goats’ cheese and roasted hazelnuts.
However, dessert is where the real magic happens. Indulge in a velvety chocolate orange tart, a steamed kumquat pudding, or savour rich Cornish blue cheese with crackers and chutney.
Discover Festive Dining Seasonal Set Menu
Private Dining and Group Celebrations
Christmas is best celebrated together, and our Private Dining Room offers the perfect setting. Our space combines exclusivity with indulgence, perfect for family gatherings, corporate events, or festive get-togethers with friends.
Choose your perfect festive package:
- Nibbles & Cheer: Two hours of festive fun featuring delicious canapés and glasses of fizz. Perfect for pre-dinner gatherings or casual celebrations.
- Lunch & Laughter: Ideal for daytime celebrations or business lunches with a Christmas twist, enjoy a leisurely midday meal including a three-course menu, a welcome drink, a glass of wine, coffee, and petit fours.
- Dinner & Delight: An evening experience with a refined festive menu, a welcome drink, half a bottle of wine, and petit fours.
Our packages are a beautiful way to end the year surrounded by warmth, laughter, and good company with those who matter most. Our team will happily tailor menus and arrangements to accommodate dietary requirements or specific requests. We’ll handle every detail so you can focus on the fun.
Festive Afternoon Tea
Few things feel as Christmassy as afternoon tea, and at The Orangery, it’s a fabulous festive celebration. The room itself is illuminated with winter light, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere perfect for catching up and celebrating with your loved ones.
Our Festive Afternoon Tea features an irresistible spread of sweet and savoury treats: turkey, brie, and cranberry wraps; cheese and brandy apple chutney sandwiches; pigs in blankets; and pastries that burst with festive flavour. Toast with a glass of bubbly for a true taste of the season.
For an extra special treat, upgrade to the Perrier-Jouët Festive Afternoon Tea, a decadent experience featuring a hot drink of your choice and a glass of our Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut champagne. It’s perfect for mother–daughter outings, girlfriends’ get-togethers, or even a solo self-care moment.
Festive Workshops & Creative Fun
Add a creative twist to your Christmas celebrations with our Festive Workshop Series, running from Saturday 29th November. Our hands-on sessions are great for families, couples, and friends alike. Get messy and enjoy days filled with imagination, laughter, and seasonal joy!
This year, we are revisiting some of our most popular activities while adding a touch of festive magic to our guests. Running from 11am to 1pm, learn how to craft delicate Pressed-Flower Baubles for your Christmas tree, paint your own Watercolour Christmas Cards to send to loved ones, or dive into our Wreath-Making Workshop, a firm favourite that’s sure to fill your home with the holiday spirit.
Each session starts with a glass of bubbly and ends with a delicious cream tea and hot drinks. Spaces are limited, so early booking is essential.
Sip, Laugh & Unwind at The Salt Bar
When the day turns to evening, Stanwell House comes alive in The Salt Bar. Open from 11am to 11pm, it’s a space where locals and guests mingle, music hums in the background, and drinks are savoured.
Here, the festive spirit flows freely, from the warmth of mulled wine to the glint of champagne and the creativity of our signature Christmas cocktails. Try a classic Old Fashioned, a Hugo Spritz, or one of our festive mocktails to get you in the festive spirit.
For couples, it’s an intimate hideaway for chats by the fire, and for groups, it’s the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks. Travelling solo? Enjoy a welcoming space to unwind, surrounded by friendly faces and good cheer.
Ring in the New Year
As the clock counts down to midnight, there’s no better place to ring in 2026 than at Stanwell House. Our New Year’s Eve Celebration in The Orangery promises glamour, flavour, and festivity in perfect measure.
Arrive at 7pm for a champagne reception and canapés, followed by a gourmet dinner showcasing the best of the season — treat yourself to beef wellington, delicious seafood, and a showstopping baked Alaska with raspberries. Live music also sets the tone for an evening of dancing, dining, and toasting to the year ahead.
After the music fades, retire to your room for a comfortable night’s sleep, then wake up on New Year’s Day with a hearty breakfast and a refreshing stroll by Lymington’s harbour. It’s a scenic, stylish way to start the year.
New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve Stays
Festive Fun Beyond the Hotel
We’re more than just a beautiful place to stay – we’re a gateway to the festive magic of Lymington and the New Forest. Step outside, and you’ll find cobbled streets lined with Christmas lights, artisan shops, and seasonal markets.
Families can join the joyful Oakhaven Hospice Santa Dash, then return for hot chocolate and hearty dining, while couples can stroll through the scenic harbour, enjoy the Lymington Choral Society’s Christmas Spectacular, and end the night with a candlelit dinner or festive cocktail. Solo travellers can also find peace in the glow of the bar, join a creative workshop, or wander the crisp coastal paths.
Whether you’re shopping for last-minute gifts, soaking up live music, or exploring the New Forest in its winter glory, the festive charm of Lymington makes every moment magical.
Festive Fun Near Stanwell House
Your Christmas at Stanwell House
Christmas at Stanwell House is a celebration of everything that makes this season so wonderful — laughter that fills the air, togetherness, the joy of indulgence, and connection. Our refurbished Georgian townhouse captures the best of both worlds: the warmth and welcome of home and the elegance of a luxury getaway.
Step into a world where indulgent feasts, creative workshops, and charming cocktails come together to create memories that linger long after the decorations come down.
At Stanwell House, there’s space for everyone and every kind of celebration; families making new traditions, couples escaping the rush for quiet moments of romance, groups and solo travellers.
This is Christmas, the Stanwell way. Leave the stress behind, bring your cheer, and let us take care of the details while you focus on what truly matters: good food, great company, and moments that make the season shine.
Are you ready to unwrap your perfect Christmas escape?
Book your stay at Stanwell House and step into the magic of Lymington.
