The Christmas period has a way of making us want two opposing things at once: to do absolutely everything, and to do absolutely nothing. One minute you’re planning festive lunches, Christmas shopping and catch-ups with friends; the next, all you really want is a cosy room, a long walk, something delicious to eat and nowhere else you need to be.
This Christmas, why not have both?
Just moments from the New Forest, Stanwell House is a welcoming base for enjoying the festive season. Whether you’re planning a romantic Christmas escape, a solo break to switch off, a get-together with friends or a family adventure, there’s plenty to enjoy both at the hotel and on your doorstep.
From festive dining at Samphire and cocktails at Salt Bar to afternoon tea in the Orangery, winter walks, local attractions and days out, Christmas at Stanwell House is all about making time for the things that matter.
What’s happening at Stanwell House this Christmas?
The festive season at Stanwell House is designed to be enjoyed at your own pace. You might pop in for afternoon tea, meet friends for seasonal drinks, settle in for festive dining, or make a proper break of it with an overnight stay, giving you plenty of ways to celebrate.
Festive Dining
Food is a big part of Christmas, and at Samphire, the festive season is an excuse to enjoy a meal without worrying about who is cooking, washing up or whether the roast potatoes are ready.
Our festive offering brings together delicious seasonal flavours, comforting favourites and beautifully crafted dishes, with festive set-menu options available throughout the season.
Join us for a special Christmas Day and begin your celebrations with canapés and fizz, before settling in for an indulgent festive lunch. Tuck into a tempting choice of starters, from chicken terrine, smoked haddock fillet or roasted beetroot carpaccio, followed by succulent slow-roasted turkey, beautifully cooked sirloin of beef, delicate halibut or a rich mushroom pithivier. Round off the celebrations with a choice of traditional Christmas pudding, silky crème brûlée, a tempting apple and pear tart or a carefully selected cheeseboard.
From lunches with colleagues and sumptuous festive dinners to a special Christmas Day gathering, private dining or drinks reception, we can create an occasion to suit you. Gather with friends, family or colleagues and let us take care of the details this Christmas.
Festive Afternoon Tea in the Orangery
Few things feel quite as Christmassy as afternoon tea! The Orangery provides a charming setting for a festive catch-up, with seasonal sweet and savoury treats, tea and the option to add a glass of bubbly for an extra celebratory touch.
It’s particularly well suited to those in-between moments of December, when you finally manage to meet friends, indulge in a mother-and-daughter day out, a family treat or simply a little bit of festive self-indulgence. Otherwise, you can absolutely book afternoon tea just because you fancy it!
Festive Cocktails at Salt Bar
When you’ve completed a busy day of Christmas shopping, the inviting Salt Bar is the place for festive drinks, relaxed conversation and a little time out of the cold. Sip classic cocktails and champagne to seasonal serves and alcohol-free options or get comfy before dinner and make an evening of it.
For couples, it can also be a homely place for a pre-dinner drink, while for friends, it’s an excuse to meet somewhere other than someone’s kitchen table. Not only that, for solo travellers, it’s a welcoming place to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by!
Christmas in Lymington
Lymington is a wonderfully festive place to explore at Christmas, with its historic High Street, quaint harbour, quay and surrounding countryside all within easy reach. As the festive season arrives, the town takes on a cosy winter charm, making it the perfect setting for a walk, followed by a warming drink or a browse around the shops. For all those who stay with us, The New Forest National Park is close by, offering plenty of opportunities to wrap up warm, get outside and enjoy the beautiful winter landscape.
For trails closer to the hotel, The New Forest National Park Authority’s Lymington Town Trail is a great example of how much there is to see on foot, from learning about Lymington’s maritime heritage to visiting historic streets and independent shops.
For a longer outing, the Keyhaven and Lymington Marshes walk follows the coast and the edge of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. With sea views, open marshland and plenty of opportunities to spot winter birds and other wildlife, it’s a peaceful way to enjoy the crisp countryside and experience the quieter side of Lymington during the festive season. Wrap up warm, head out for a bracing walk and return to the cosy comforts of the town.
Browse Lymington’s High Street
Lymington High Street puts independent shops, cafés, restaurants and the historic centre close at hand, perfect in the run-up to Christmas.
Take your time choosing presents at independent boutiques such as Muse & Moi, browse the shelves at The Imaginarium in Angel Courtyard, or look out for jewellery, gifts and other seasonal treats along the High Street. With cafés such as Cottinghams providing an easy place to relax, there’s no need to hurry.
Winter Walks
After a few days of rich food, late nights and maybe too much time indoors, a brisk winter walk through the New Forest can be the tonic you need.
The landscape vastly changes character during the winter season, with woodland, open heathland, coastal views and quieter paths that provide the chance to breathe and slow down. Bolderwood is a lovely winter option, with peaceful woodland trails winding through the heart of the New Forest. The mix of ancient trees, woodland paths and open clearings makes it a particularly atmospheric place to walk.
Things to do near Stanwell House at Christmas
If you’re staying with us for a couple of nights, the surrounding area gives you plenty of opportunities to build your own festive itinerary.
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery
On rainy days, head to St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery. The museum explores the heritage and culture of the New Forest, with a range of creative events and Christmas activities to enjoy. From metallic calligraphy and wire-weaving Christmas tree decorations to making ceramic Christmas decorations or a beautiful rag wreath to take home, there’s something for curious minds and crafty hands alike!
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is a wonderful winter day out, particularly when you want to combine fresh air, festive atmosphere and something a little different. With more than 200 acres, Exbury has a naturally peaceful feel in winter, before transforming into a festive wonderland.
Running over the weekends of 28th – 29th November and 5th – 6th December, the Christmas Fair brings together local producers, festive food and drink, Christmas shopping and a family trail through the gardens. Children can write to Father Christmas and meet the friendly visiting donkeys, while grown-ups can browse for gifts and soak up the atmosphere. The Festive Express also adds a little Christmas magic, where families can climb aboard Exbury’s narrow-gauge steam railway and enjoy plenty of seasonal fun.
For an enchanting evening, why not book the Christmas Night Train? The illuminated steam train winds through the gardens after dark, with twinkling lights and festive displays, while Father Christmas gives each departure a special send-off. Festive food and drink are also available, making this a lovely option for couples, families and railway enthusiasts alike.
Highcliffe Castle
For a change of scenery, head to Highcliffe Castle, where Christmas brings an extra sparkle.
Creatives at the Castle is a great choice if you’re looking to get ahead with your Christmas shopping. With more than 40 local traders and makers, find distinctive gifts while enjoying the atmosphere of the castle. There’s also a festive bar serving warming drinks and treats such as mulled wine and mince pies, with tickets including access to the castle and its winter exhibition.
Additionally, the Christmas Tree Festival is great for families. Children can follow the children’s elf trail, while couples can enjoy the castle’s historic setting, seasonal refreshments and, on selected days, live music.
Why not ‘Switch Off’ this Christmas?
Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but let’s be honest: it can also be noisy, busy, expensive and over-scheduled, with a truly staggering number of notifications competing for your attention. Between Christmas shopping, group chats, emails, travel plans and trying to get everythingright, it’s easy to reach the end of the year feeling like you need a holiday from the holiday.
That’s where our Stanwell Switch Off comes in.
Slow down, put the phone away and give yourself permission to be properly present. Our Switch Off experience is built around reconnecting with the things that can easily get squeezed out by everyday digital life: conversation, curiosity, fresh air, good food, reading, playing, and simply having nowhere else you need to be.
The aim isn’t to tell you to switch off from the world; it’s to give you a little space from the parts of it that can wait.
Discover the Stanwell Switch Off
A Christmas Break for Every Kind of Traveller
Whether it’s a romantic escape, some much-needed time alone, a festive get-together with friends or a few precious days with family, Christmas at Stanwell House is about slowing down, spending time together and making the most of the season.
For couples, enjoy a crisp walk, browse Lymington together, then return for afternoon tea, cocktails at Salt Bar and dinner at Samphire before retreating to your room.
Travelling solo or with your four-legged best friend? Set your own pace with a good book, a winter walk, a wander around Lymington, or simply an afternoon of doing completely nothing.
For friends, turn the annual Christmas catch-up into a festive getaway. Gather around the table for dinner, enjoy cocktails or enquire about options for a private celebration.
And for families, we offer the chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of Christmas together. Explore the New Forest, spot the ponies, wander through Lymington’s Christmas-lit streets, then return to the warmth of the hotel for hot chocolate, cake and a little time to relax. Enjoy a family board game, settle in for a bedtime story somewhere new or simply curl up under a cosy blanket as night falls.
Stay at Stanwell House this Christmas
Make Christmas extra special with a festive stay. Our boutique bedrooms offer a choice of doubles, garden-view rooms, suites and loft rooms, making it easy to find the perfect space whether you’re escaping as a couple, gathering with family and friends, enjoying a Christmas break for one, or bringing your four pawed companion.
For the full festive experience, settle in for two nights of Christmas magic with everything thoughtfully planned for you with our two-night package. Enjoy a warm welcome of mulled wine and mince pies, followed by an evening of live music on Christmas Eve to get you into the Christmas spirit. As the evening winds down, enjoy a hot chocolate while watching Midnight Mass live from Westminster Abbey, before waking on Christmas morning to a delicious full English breakfast.
Christmas Day is all about taking your time, with a leisurely festive lunch. As evening arrives, round off the celebrations with a Christmas night sharing board and savour the final moments of the day.
Prefer to keep things flexible? Our Bed & Breakfast stay gives you the best of both worlds. Enjoy a full English breakfast each morning, while leaving your festive plans entirely up to you. Spend your time exploring, relaxing or celebrating with loved ones, and choose whether to dine with us or make your own arrangements.
Explore Christmas accommodation
Christmas, Your Way
With festive dining, cocktails, afternoon tea, seasonal experiences and comfortable accommodation, plus Lymington, the New Forest and the wider Hampshire and Dorset coast right outside, at Stanwell House, we are a fantastic flexible base for a Christmas escape.
So, this year, give yourself permission to do Christmas a little differently.
Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere, explore the forest, walk by the sea, raise a glass and switch off.
And, most importantly, enjoy being together.
Ready to plan your festive escape?
