Guests can tuck into festive food from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day with special stays in the Lake District, Yorkshire and more
The Waterhead Inn is perched on Lake Windermere(Image: Inn Collection Group)
It may be known as the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas can be a stressful one, too, with all the planning and preparation that goes into the big day. For those who fancy leaving the hassle of hosting behind, one hotel group is offering up the option of a peaceful mini-break instead.
The Inn Collection Group has announced Christmas holiday packages at all of its hotels, with more than 30 locations to choose from. Priced from £599 for two people, these three-night breaks from December 24-27 include breakfast each morning, dinner for two on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day lunch and an evening buffet for two, plus dinner for two on Boxing Day.
For those seeking inspiration on where to book their break, the number one top-rated Inn Collection Group hotel according to reviews from guests left on Tripadvisor is The Waterhead Inn in Ambleside. This Lake District getaway combines a picturesque waterfront location with traditional pub character, with pet-friendly rooms available and the heart of Ambleside town just a short stroll away.
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The Waterhead Inn is one of 10 Inn Collection Group hotels across the Lake District, which promises a magical backdrop for a peaceful festive getaway. Other highly rated stays available to book for Christmas include The Temperance Inn and The Wordsworth elsewhere in Ambleside, as well as The Angel Inn in Bowness-on-Windermere and The Swan in Grasmere, all of which have earned a rating of 4.3 out of five stars on Tripadvisor.
For more places to stay elsewhere in the Lake District, one of the top-rated choices over on Booking.com is Langdale Chase Hotel, which stands on the shores of Lake Windermere and has been welcoming visitors since 1891. Another favourite is Hazel Bank Country House in the Borrowdale Valley, offering easy access to the likes of Keswick, Buttermere and Derwentwater with plenty of scenic walks from the doorstep in the surrounding fells.
Book a Christmas break
These three-night getaways from December 24-27 include breakfast each morning, dinner for two on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day lunch and an evening buffet for two, and dinner for two on Boxing Day.
Another Inn Collection Group stay that has earned glowing reviews from guests is Dean Court in York. A stay at the heart of the city with views of York Minster, having originally been built in the 1800s to house the clergy, this hotel is a short walk away from iconic attractions such as The Shambles, the Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum, and the world-famous Betty’s Tea Rooms.
York is also the ideal setting for a festive city break with plenty of special events for those staying for Christmas to enjoy, from the Winter Wonderland in York Designer Outlet with its outdoor ice rink and Alpine Chalet café to the Christmas Tree Festival at York Minster. There are also Christmas-themed sightseeing walks and cruises on offer across the city, as well as festive chocolate and wreath-making workshops.
Elsewhere in York, visitors can opt for unique self-catering stays steeped in history with a choice of two properties in the city owned by the National Trust. Minstergate is a quirky medieval apartment for two with wonky beams, sloping floors and a Georgian staircase, while Draper’s Flat also sits above the city’s National Trust shop and offers space for up to four guests, although both are only available from January 2027.
For those looking to spend Christmas by the sea, another top-rated option with the Inn Collection Group elsewhere in Yorkshire is The Stables in Whitby. With Whitby Beach just a 10-minute drive away, this former 17th-century farmhouse boasts far-reaching countryside views and offers a quiet spot to stay just outside the seaside town with its famous abbey that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
One recent guest at The Stables wrote in a five-star review on Tripadvisor: “From the moment we arrived, we could not have asked for anything more! Brilliant location, welcoming, clean, great food and such friendly staff. We would definitely come again and have told family/friends with or without dogs to do the same!”
Meanwhile, over at Dean Court in York, another visitor said: “This hotel was a wonderful find! It is very quaint and well-maintained and upgraded. We would certainly consider this as a top lodging destination next time we come to York because it is centrally located to everything that we wanted to see. The morning breakfast that is included is just outstanding and top-notch in selection and food quality. The service is impeccable.”
And someone who stayed at The Waterhead Inn praised: “Had a fantastic few days at this beauty of a place. Everything was top-notch. The rooms are exceptional, the food is beautiful and mouth-watering, along with fantastic presentation. From walking through the door to leaving, we were treated with utmost respect by all the staff. Everyone had a smile, and nothing was too much trouble.”
However, not everyone was as satisfied with their stay, with another guest at The Waterhead Inn feeding back: “The rates charged for a dog are a bit excessive. I think a one-off charge, regardless of the length of stay, would be better.”
But another guest raved: “Wonderful three-night stay at The Waterhead Inn. Beautiful room with a balcony and overlooking the lake. Breakfasts and dinners superb every day. Waterhead pier just a few metres from the pier with trips to Bowness and beyond.”
Those booking a Christmas stay with the Inn Collection Group should note that prices vary by inn and room type, and that dinner on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day has an allowance of £25 per adult. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Inn Collection Group website.