Travel Blog

Yorkshire at CHRISTMAS

November 20th, 2006

It’s what everyone longs for – the perfect Christmas. Just imagine a Christmas with wonderful gifts wrapped beautifully under a sparkling tree, a turkey cooked to perfection and a happy contented family enchanted with true Christmas spirit. This year it needn’t be a fantasy – visit Yorkshire in the run up to the festive season and it will be the most special Christmas ever. And for anyone who just wants to get away from all the chaos, we’ve got the perfect place for that too!

 

Wonderful Wrapping

If you want the best dressed presents go along to the ‘Preparing for Christmas Luncheon’ on December 1 at the Feversham Arms Hotel in Helmsley (£25 per person). You’ll be given inspirational ideas on wrapping and decoration, with demonstrations and top tips. And of course you’ll be treated to a beautiful three course lunch in the outstanding restaurant.

 

Why not spoil yourself and book a couple of nights at the hotel?  Based on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors the Feversham Arms Hotel is a luxury 17-bedroomed hideaway hotel with an excellent restaurant, chic design, leisure facilities, open fires and welcoming service. Double rooms from £130.

 

Delicious Dinner

If you’re going to have the perfect Christmas you’re going to need a fantastic Christmas dinner that everyone will remember.

 

Learn great cooking from celebrated TV chef Rosemary Shrager at the acclaimed Swinton Park Cookery School. The Festive Fare one day cookery course runs from December 1 – 4 and costs £125, including a three-course meal with wine. The school is based at the Swinton Park hotel in Masham North Yorkshire. Unwind after cooking up a storm by spending a night in this beautiful castle hotel (double rooms from £140 per night including breakfast).

 

Christmas Shopping

The festive period can be ruined by stressful shopping which leaves you exhausted. Turn a potential headache into a special memory by spending a weekend in Yorkshire. You’ll get everything you need, and you can sample the great accommodation on offer too.

 

Shopping in the region is funky and functional, trendy and traditional, a unique mix of time-honoured family emporiums and ultra modern designer shopping.

 

City Shopping

Leeds‘ status as a shopping Mecca was confirmed when Harvey Nichols opened its first northern branch in the elegant location of Briggate. Relax and let a personal shopper do the hard work for you as they search four floors to find not only the best gifts but also clothes for you to try on (by appointment).

 

The Victorian Quarter, which houses a wide selection of designer boutiques and pavement cafes has been dubbed ‘the Knightsbridge of the North’ and is perfect for classy Christmas shopping.

 

You’ll need a couple of days to get round all the shops in Leeds so why not stay in Malmaison Hotel, in the heart of the city centre? The hotel is a dramatic building full of character and individual style. Rooms are equipped with CD players, power showers, personal bars and great beds. Double rooms from £89 to £115 per room. The restaurant is pretty amazing too!

 

Christmas Fayres

 

For presents with a difference your family will truly treasure try one of Yorkshire’s festive fayres listed below:

• The Crafts for Christmas Fayre 05, Great Yorkshire Showground,  Harrogate. This huge venue, with warm carpeted pavilions, will really allow you to get all your shopping under one roof.

 

• Grimsby Christmas Market, Grimsby, 16 December. A traditional farmers Christmas market with entertainment during the event and a traditional Christmas carol service at lunchtime in St James’ Church.

 

• St Nicholas Fayre, York, November 24 – 27.  Boasting a wide range of markets across the city, ranging from gifts to medieval goods. Also in the city from November 18 – 20 is the Children’s Christmas Fayre.

 

• Winter Wonderland, Ripon, November 7 – January 8. A Christmas exhibition in a Victorian arcade with work from 50 British craft makers, all for sale and ideal for unusual Christmas gifts.   

 

Unique gifts

And for a gift with a truly personal touch head to The Chocolate Factory in Hutton le Hole at the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. See the traditional art of chocolate making, and smell and sample the delicious Belgian chocolates being made. Then hand pick a unique box of chocolates for your loved one – with only their favourites on offer they won’t know where to start!

 

Festivals and Family Fun

If this is going to be a really special Christmas kids need to be kept entertained and everyone will need to enter into the spirit of the season.

 

To bring back the magic and excitement of Christmas visit the Festival of Angels in York on December 10 – 11. The streets of York are turned into a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, snow, stalls, food and drink.

 

And to experience some of the tradition of Christmas head across the city on  December 10 for the ‘St Nicholas Tour’.  A fascinating Yuletide look in York Minster at the life and legends of St. Nicholas, the origin of Santa Klaus. (Adults £7.50 - £8, children £2). Also at the Minster is the hugely popular Carols by Candlelight on December 17 (tickets £10 per person).

 

The Dickensian Festival 2005, Grassington, in the Yorkshire Dales, will create a truly special memory for you and all the family. Running the three Saturdays before Christmas the festival sees shopkeepers and villagers dressed in Dickensian costumes in the beautifully decorated villages.

 

Or try the ‘Traditional Christmas Evening and Meal’ at the stunning Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire from December 9 – 11 for a really memorable evening. Christmas carols in the floodlit abbey will be followed by a traditional supper with family entertainment in the visitor centre restaurant. Santa will be making an appearance on his way to the North Pole with some treats for the children. (Adults £29, children £19.75)

 

 

Christmas Retreat

And if this year you want to escape the endless family gatherings and have an unforgettable Christmas with just the two of you Westwood Lodge in Ilkley Moor has a luxurious package on offer.

 

From Wednesday 21 – Wednesday 28 December stay in the romantic five-star apartment for £495. Enjoy the four-poster bed and spectacular views, with plenty of books and DVDs to enjoy.  Included in the price is a welcome hamper stuffed full of local produce, plus a bottle of Christmas mead, mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas decorations already in place.

 

For bad weather days there’s an exclusive sauna, spa, solarium and work out room too!

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