Luxury Christmas breaks in Somerset

This ancient county embraces the season with all the charm that makes an English Christmas so renowned. Markets lace through historic towns like Bruton and Frome, where local artisans display the likes of hand-carved wooden toys and beeswax candles scented with pine. At Wells Cathedral, carol services are held beneath soaring Gothic arches and, between Christmas feasting, countryside walks can be taken across the Mendip Hills or the wild landscape of Exmoor, followed by mulled cider in a storied coaching inn with a roaring log fire.

If you’re planning a family Christmas break in Somerset, we have homestays that range from the likes of a sprawling country estate with a hot tub and sauna to a cosy Victorian folly near Bath. Wherever you choose, we’ll deck the halls before you arrive with baubles and fir, and lay the fires ready for you to light. Each well-appointed kitchen is made for whipping up festive feasts, but you can also hire a recommended private chef – think roast goose with all the trimmings for Christmas dinner and a glazed ham with spiced chutney on Boxing Day.