The Woolpack Inn is proof that the ultimate festive getaway does not require a flight. With sweeping views across the frosty Candover Valley on the leafy outskirts of Alresford, this four-star Hampshire pub turns into a classy Christmas rural retreat come December - the perfect place to swap standard city chatter for roaring log fires and winter charm.
For those planning the Christmas party this year, the inn offers exclusive venue takeover options that let your crew reign supreme over the cozy Snug, glass-roofed Orangery, main bar, and restaurant. Host a proper holiday bash for up to 130 revellers standing, or gather up to 70 guests for a sit-down feast at one of the Cotswold’s most acclaimed gastropubs. Smaller groups can grab the private dining room, complete with a secluded terrace - ideal for wrapping up with a warm winter aperitif.
Food here is far from average festive fare, courtesy of seasonal menus packed with fresh produce grown in the kitchen garden. The gastropub often lays on seasonal set menus to make ordering and organising streamlined, with previous dishes including the likes of chicken liver parfait with grape mustard and sourdough, pan fried stonebass with saffron risotto, and treacle tart with salted caramel and clotted cream ice cream, as well as the usual roast turkey and all the trimmings. Meanwhile, the bar shakes up killer cocktails like habanero-infused hot honey Margaritas and tonka bean Espresso Martinis.
Best of all, nobody has to draw the short straw as designated driver or brave the chilly late train ride home. With eight gorgeous boutique bedrooms waiting upstairs, party-goers can celebrate late into the night before collapsing straight into luxurious beds. Whether you are planning an epic office blowout or a cozy gathering with friends, this Hampshire gem guarantees a seasonal celebration that delivers real holiday magic from start to finish.