English Home

There is nothing quite so much fun andlife-affirming as the company of old friends.Forgoing conventional festivities for a weekaway together can make for a wonderful time thatcould be repeated year after year.One does not need to have a second home to do thissuccessfully. Pleasingly, the selection of quality holidaycottages available for rent seems to have grown inrecent years, and the days of synthetic sheets and kitschadornments in the bathroom are mostly gone. AlastairSawday’s Special Places to Stay has long offered astrong selection of rented properties, whether bed andbreakfast or self-catering. Do consider other self-catering offerings from outfits such as Unique HomeStays, Rural Retreats and Premier Cottages, as well asThe Big Domain and The Little Domain, which offerscaled properties. Heritage bodies including theNational Trust, English Heritage, the Landmark Trustand the Vivat Trust provide well-appointed andhistoric accommodation in terrific locations.A more indulgent response is simply to find a goodhotel during this period, whether for a city break orescape to the country. Many offer Christmas packagesthat span Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and includeChristmas dinner and a Champagne breakfast in thedeal. Activities such as spa treatments or countrysports may also be offered, in addition torecommendations on local attractions.Where cottages might be rented for a week, it canbe pleasing to pack a few familiar comforts, such asfavoured decorations, particular music to listen toor even a baking dish or roasting pan. Ring ahead tocheck the status of bedding, cutlery and crockery, andto see if a tree can be provided for decoration, or if onemight be bought en route.The key to a successful weekend away is to achievea balance of exertion and relaxation, so share outresponsibilities fairly, lest someone feel aggrieved atbeing saddled with too much. It may be preferable tobuy a Christmas cake, for example, rather than askingone person to make a cake for the entire group (seepage 94 for some delicious options). Being specific onvarious responsibilities in advance will help preventconfusion and ensure that nothing is forgotten. Unlessone person is a particular foodie, share out cateringtoo, assigning a meal to each person. Without thefamiliarity of one’s own kitchen, taking a few short-cuts on ready-made or prepared meals is perfectlyacceptable and will free up time for other activities.Finally, bring along a selection of board games, filmsand books to keep people occupied during the stay.Ordnance Survey maps for the region will facilitatecountry walks, during which foliage can be gatheredand brought indoors to enhance a merry setting.SHAREDWITH FRIENDSFEATURE``````VIVIENNE HAMBLY### THE ENGLISH HOME 93TEH UK DEC15 Packaged to suit v2.indd 93 16/10/2015 14:47