Elegant Christmas Destinations Guide: London

London conjures up the magic of Christmas like few other cities, with all manner of memorable events and destinations for all ages. Discover our pick of this year’s finest…

Window on Fortnum & Mason red brick period building with christmas trree decorations and christmas garlands
The Home of Christmas

Few places do Christmas better than Fortnum & Mason; a master of enchanting festive experiences since Victorian times. Indeed, Charles Dickens described it as ‘a perfect fairy palace’ in December 1845. They supplied woodcock pies to Edward VII and George V at Christmas for many years and the Queen Mother would insist on wrapping her own presents in the store. Its fairytale window displays and festive demonstrations, masterclasses and performances continue to captivate this season.

Theatrical Delights

The English National Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker at London Coliseum has also become a much-loved tradition since first delighting audiences in 1950. Set to Tchaikovsky’s masterful score, this year’s production is a new re-telling of the classic, brought to life by over 100 dancers and musicians.

Elsewhere, The Royal Opera House stages an enchanting production of Cinderella; a co-production between The Royal Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. While the Royal Albert Hall’s programme of festive events includes performances by Jamie Cullum, Katherine Jenkins, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Community Gospel Choir, as well their much-loved sing-along carols.

A Touch of Luxury

Claridge’s spectacular Christmas tree becomes a Mayfair landmark each winter. Since it was designed by John Galliano for Dior in 2009, it has become tradition that each year it is brought to life by a different eminent designer. This year, the 19ft tree is the creation of Sir Paul Smith who has filled its branches with 100 bespoke birdhouses, each with a playful twist in his signature style.

London’s hotels – from The Corinthia to The Ned – are hosting all manner of festive afternoon teas to mark the season. We recommend a visit to Harrods stalwart The Georgian, where you can enjoy an exquisite menu overseen by executive pastry chef Markus Bohr. It’s also an opportunity to admire the recent extensive refurbishment and restoration of this grand, historic venue – which first opened within the department store to much fanfare in 1911.

Time for Reflection

Nearby Grosvenor Square hosts Anya Hindmarch’s spectacular Ever After Garden which is open until mid-December. This incredible carpet of over 30,000 illuminated white roses first lit up the square in 2019 in memory of the late production designer Michael Howells. It has since served as an annual garden of remembrance in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and visitors are encouraged to dedicate a rose in exchange for a charity donation.

Meet our specialist London team of buying agents here and get in touch to find out more about how they can assist with your next property search.

Luxury Cotswolds: Must-Visit Lifestyle Destinations This Autumn

From indulgent Japanese cocktails in Cheltenham, to the very latest in luxury wellness in Tetbury; The Buying Solution Partner Harry Gladwin, who heads up our Cotswolds team, shares his favourite lifestyle destinations in the region.

The Grain Store at Calcot
The Grain Store at Calcot Manor, Tetbury

Tetbury is the definition of the quintessential country village, and Calcot Manor, nestled amongst the Cotswold greenery, is an idyllic Manor House, lovingly modernised, with a minimalist nod to its medieval past. When you think of the Cotswolds, this is what you imagine.

Built by Henry of Kingswood in the 1300s as the tithe barn annexe of Kingswood Abbey, Calcot belonged to the church until the 16th century when King Henry VIII dissolved England’s monasteries and gave the estate to one of his courtiers. Calcot has remained in private ownership ever since, belonging to the Estcourt family for several centuries and expanded to include a 16th-century manor house and several outbuildings.

As of February 2024, Calcot launched the Grain Store, a £5m wellness and fitness suite. The gym includes Technogym equipment, bikes, treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines, free weights, Olympic squat racks, resistance kits as well as a six-piece Kompan outdoor gym.

New studios also offer an extensive timetable of classes including holistic Yoga and Pilates, Spin and HIIT. And if you’d rather exercise outside, you can borrow Calcot bikes and explore the nature trails around the manor gardens. There are four tiers of membership for the Grain Store, each including a bespoke fitness programme.

Estelle Manor, Eynsham

An award-winning country house hotel and private members’ club set in a Grade-II listed landmark house on 85-acres of Oxfordshire estate and surrounded by over 3,000 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens, Estelle Manor remains a favourite haunt of mine.

Transformed by New York Design Studio Roman and Williams, known for The British Galleries at the Met, NoMad London (and designing Gwyneth Paltrow’s homes), the once neo-Jacobean mansion now features grand patterned hallways, heavy drapes, and contemporary art.

Newly opened last year, the hotel offers three restaurants. The Billiards Room which serves traditional Chinese dishes and Sunday dim sum brunches, The Brasserie which offers a seasonal all-day menu, and (my favourite) The Glasshouse serving family-style sharing plates.

There’s also a Roman inspired spa with five pools, a lounge, ten treatment areas, a clubhouse gym, and padel courts. The only question really is how long can you stay?

Pit Kitchen, Moreton-in-Marsh

Bringing East London’s eclectic food scene to Todenham Manor Farm, this passion project, from Worcestershire-born brothers Adam and James, is soon to be closing for winter. With one final hurrah on 25th and 26th October, however, there’s still time to experience this for yourselves.

Located in the suitably rustic old piggery, Pit Kitchen promises the best quality local ingredients cooked over an open fire, bringing Dalston’s famous Middle Eastern influence to the Cotswolds. One piece of advice: bring a jumper. The open barn makes for beautiful views, but can be a little brisk.

Yoku, Cheltenham

Hidden inside an unassuming townhouse, YOKU’s gold-leaf vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, yellow suede chairs, bonsai trees and hand-painted vases make for an unexpectedly decadent interior.

Taking its name from the Japanese art of doing things exceptionally well, YOKU is top of many a ‘best restaurant’ lists, and for very good reason.

Within the No.131 hotel, helmed by fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, alongside husband, Julian Dunkerton, founder of clothing brand, Superdry, Yoku offers a ‘Tokyo-vogue’ Japanese Sushi and Asian dining experience.

The restaurant also recently opened its Yoku Garden, a luxurious hot spot for indulgent cocktails, spectacular food, and all-out elegance.

The Lodge at Thyme
Thyme Hotel, Southrop

Formed of a cluster of honey-stone properties, this family-run hotel is a sybarite delight. The 31-room ‘village in a village’ is home to a spa, outdoor pool, boutique shop, cookery school, exhibition space, and its own pub, all housed in barns, cottages, and farmhouses that have occupied the surrounding land for centuries. With a botanic theme running throughout, the kitchen operates a zero-waste, reuse and recycle mantra.

Aside from exploring the gardens and water meadows, Thyme, has a well-kept ‘Calendar of Happenings’ filled with history walks, wellness and cookery classes, alongside exhibitions, workshops and talks.

The Farmer’s Dog, Burford

Jeremy Clarkson’s journey into agriculture has been well-documented with his Amazon Prime television series, ‘Clarkson’s Farm’. His latest venture, just a few miles from Diddly Squat farm, is his pub, The Farmer’s Dog.

The Farmer’s Dog is more than just a pub, offering a restaurant, The Farmer’s Puppy – garden kitchen, Hops and Chops butchers and off-license, with everything (bar the much-needed T to go with your G) promising to be the best of British. The menu changes with the seasons and is entirely locally sourced.

Daylesford Organic, Moreton-in-Marsh

It’s fair to say that word has got out about Daylesford Organic; finding space in the car park at the weekend can be a challenge. However, this is undoubtedly still a gem and with a seasonal calendar of experiences, workshops, and even woodland walks, it’s always a good time to visit.

From top-quality artisanal produce from Daylesford’s very own farm, fantastic grocery bundles, stylish farmhouse interiors, homeware and skincare, or extra special back-to-school essentials, or simply to grab a coffee, cocktail, or woodfired pizza on the terrace. There’s a reason Daylesford is so popular.

The Double Red Duke, Clanfield

A Country Creatures Inn, owned by Sam and Georgie Pearman, formerly of the Lucky Onion hotel group, this 17th Century former coaching inn, The Double Red Duke, has been designed in their signature ‘rustic-luxe’ style. With red and white striped umbrellas in the garden, picture-perfect snugs, and wall-to-wall greenery, it’s worth a visit just to admire the style.

If you can stay for a bite, chefs cook over fire, adding a spark of romance to any meal. And, as the weather starts to turn, I’d argue you’d struggle to find a better roast dinner than here (or Sticky Toffee Pudding for that matter). As Jay Rayner said, the simple menu “barely hints at the glories of the food on your plate. It’s a class act.”

Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list. If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.

Luxury London: Must-Visit Destinations this Autumn

We make it our business to discover new and revisit acclaimed lifestyle destinations in our regions and London’s ever-evolving offering proves a constant allure. Impeccable hospitality, exquisite dining experiences and restorative luxury; Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, shares his latest must-visit lifestyle destinations in the capital.

House 21 at Home House
Home House, Marylebone

Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2023, I was reminded of private members’ club Home House’s salacious history. Built in 1773 for the Countess of Home, nicknamed the ‘Queen of Hell’, Home House was designed by James Wyatt and completed by Robert Adam, who envisaged it as a shrine to hedonism.

The interiors of House 21, the Georgian townhouse adjoined to the main building, were redesigned by Russell Sage in 2020, best known for bringing The Goring to life. Sage’s studio team unearthed accounts of the countess’ most raucous activities during the renovations and filled the space with antiques and artwork designed to leave clues to the room’s epicurean past.

With opulent marble staircases, classic interiors and fine art in the drawing rooms, or the more whimsical modernism of House 21, Home House is not short of reasons to visit.

Having welcomed a new Group Executive Chef, Jeremy Brow, earlier this year, The Restaurant’s brasserie-style seasonal British menu, will not disappoint.

The Pan Pacific London, Bishopsgate

There are few things that The Pan Pacific doesn’t do well. If you’re looking for the ultimate in romantic hospitality, the luxury hotel near Liverpool St offers a spa package complete with 60-minute massage, bottle of champagne, and access to the Sensory wellbeing floor, with your overnight stay.

The Sensory space is a full wellbeing floor with 18.5m infinity pool with enviable views (and child-friendly opening hours), 24-hour gym, and a host of massage and wellbeing treatment options, including treatments suitable for children.

Wanting something more decadent, The Pan Pacific Suite boasts 300-thread count cotton linen, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Gherkin, a late afternoon cocktail turndown service, bespoke cocktail cabinet, and a butler’s pantry.

It’s Bagels, Notting Hill and Primrose Hill

In case you’ve missed it, the humble sandwich has seen a resurgence over recent years with #foodtok trends raving about the biggest, best, and most gourmet.

For example, The Black Pig in Borough Market offers 10-hour slow-roasted Suffolk Pork on fluffy ciabatta. Max’s on Stroud Green Road offers ‘Et to brute? Murdering the Caesar’, home-made focaccia filled with poached chicken, tarragon and pickled grape salsa, chicory and parsley, baby gem, anchovy mayo with croutons. Whilst Dalston’s Dusty Knuckle adorns sourdough with roasted aubergine, peach and kohlrabi amba, tahini, green sauce and chopped salad.

Set to deposition the sourdough, however, is the New York Bagel. Whilst it’s not new to London (Brick Lane Beigel Shop has been around since 1855), the New York Bagel is certainly having a moment.

Its rise in popularity was seemingly initiated by ex-pat American’s seeking a taste of home when travel was restricted due to Covid. Having perfected his recipe during lockdown, New Yorker come Londoner, Dan Martensen, opened ‘It’s Bagels’ in Primrose Hill in September 2023 to queues around the block.

The second store in Notting Hill is now open, and there’s already a rush on Dan’s classic NYC staples, including cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon), and capers, or bacon, egg, and cheese, or even peanut butter and jelly.

Man in chef whites and woman in black top sitting in a restaurant
Photograph by Marcus Cobden
Kitchen Table, Fitzrovia

Boasting two Michelin stars, the Kitchen Table is an intimate chef’s table dining concept offering a Modern British tasting menu, which changes daily based on meticulously sourced and foraged seasonal ingredients. With only 20 diners per evening, you’re guaranteed an intimate experience at the U-shaped dining table that surrounds the ‘kitchen theatre’.

Chef James Knappett has an impressive CV, having worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, The Berkley, The Ledbury, Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant, Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant Per Se in New York and the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen. He works alongside his wife, awarding-winning sommelier Sandia Chang, to ensure you are in the best possible hands for a uniquely intimate culinary showcase.

ESPA Life at Corinthia, Whitehall Place

A four-floor spa experience in the heart of the city, ESPA Life’s ‘sanctuary of serenity’ is nestled within the Corinthia, offering a convenient escape minus the travel.

The award-winning spa features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a stunning Thermal Floor with an indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated loungers and private sleep pods.

For the more active, there’s a fully equipped gym complete with leading equipment and group training classes, or personal trainers.

The Neo-Gothic Airbnb hidden in plain sight, Fulham

A formerly derelict old keeper’s lodge on the outskirts of a cemetery, Fulham Lodge, is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom, strikingly attractive property. It has been lovingly redesigned by Simon Gill Architects and is available for entertaining via AirBnb.

Spread over three floors, this property also boasts a 43-foot spa-like swimming pool and sauna accessed via spiral stone staircase, wine cellar, three reception rooms, private garden, and parking. Start preparing your VIP guest list for your next soirée!

Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list.

If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.

Tarte Aux Pomme

Giles’ apple tart is the perfect way to use up any fallen apples you have left over, or to create the perfect warming pudding for friends and family as we now enter into the Autumn months.

Ingredients

250g of Puff Pastry

Apples (roughly 6 depending on the size of your apples)

1 lemon juiced

2 tbsp caster sugar (reduce if you would like it to be less sweet/caramelised)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp butter

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Spread the shortcrust pastry onto a dish, prick the bottom with a fork and store in the fridge.

Peel the apples, remove the core and cut them into thin slices.

Melt the butter in a saucepan then pour it over the apples in a bowl.

Add the sugar to the cinnamon and mix the apples by hand so that they are perfectly coated.

Arrange the apples on the pastry.

Put in the oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

If you can, leave to cool before tasting.

The Buying Solution in The Times – The Cotswolds have gone the same as the Hamptons

Jonathan Bramwell speaks to Helen Kirwan-Taylor of The Times about all things Cotswold life.

To read more, visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-cotswolds-have-gone-the-same-way-as-the-hamptons-lv80bdszn