Three of the best places in England to see in the New Year

The Tudor Farmhouse is ideally situated for walking off seasonal indulgences

published 18 December 2020

There can be few places more charming to see in 2021 than the award-winning boutique Tudor Farmhouse in Gloucestershire. The hotel’s location at the heart of the Forest of Dean means it is ideally situated for walking off any seasonal indulgences (which is probable, given the restaurant’s two AA rosettes and preference for locally sourced ingredients). The 20 rooms come with roll-top baths, comfy beds, Monsoon showers and coffee machines.

But back to the restaurant. For those who want to get dressed up for the big night, Tudor Farmhouse is serving up a six-course tasting menu on New Year’s Eve, with, naturally, Champagne as part of its two-night traditional package. The hotel is hoping for a clear night outside “for some star-gazing with a glass of fizz in hand”. And for those who would rather squirrel themselves away, they can opt for the Ultimate New Year Sleepover. An early evening cocktail will be delivered to their door, along with a bottle of Champagne. And if the night wasn’t already magical enough, they will get to enjoy a private Zoom magic show from Kerry Scorah, a Gloucestershire-based magician, who has performed in Hollywood.

The two-night New Year break is priced from £600, based on two sharing, including breakfast and dinner; and from £299 for the one-night Ultimate New Year Sleepover, based on two sharing, including cocktail, Champagne and sharing boards, and breakfast the next day. See tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk/new-years for details.

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Celebrate in style

While winter may not be the season to take a dip in the sea, it’s still well worth checking in to the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The start of the South Downs, just moments away, offers the prospect of walking off the excesses of Christmas and the seafront promenade is a sandy pebble’s throw away. Surprisingly, the Grand is the only five-star seafront hotel in Britain. It is also affectionately known to the locals as the “White Palace”. No wonder. Behind its snow-white wallslie 152 bedrooms and suites, many with sea views, balconies and private patios. If the wind is a tad bracing to make much use of the balcony, there is always the Grand’s Health Club with indoor pool, whirlpool spa, gym, health spa and treatment rooms. On New Year’s Eve, head to the Mirabelle Restaurant for vintage Champagne and a five-course blow-out. From £343 per person on full board, based on two sharing, or £195 per person for the evening only. See grandeastbourne.co.uk.

Quintessentially English

Or why not see in the new year at Mallory Court in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire? Arrive at this quintessential English country house hotel on 30 December for afternoon tea followed by a three-course dinner in the three-AA Rosette Dining Room. Then spend New Year’s Eve at the hotel’s luxurious Elan Spa. In the evening, welcome in the new year with Champagne, canapés, a five-course dinner and, at midnight, fireworks. From £429 per person, based on two sharing. See mallory.co.uk.

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.