Staying In

A Cosy Stay At The Pig, Brockenhurst

Staying in is even sweeter when you’re being hosted, and this festive season, we’re eyeing a stay at one of the nine PIG hotels. If you’ve ever visited one before you’ll know that it’s all about the food, so there’s no better place for a seasonal English farm-to-fork feast. Think Dorset lobster, roast turkey and PIG porchetta, followed by decadent puddings before you pass out by a roaring fire. If you opt for the original PIG in the New Forest you can indulge in a spa treatment in the potting sheds or of course head out for a winter walk. But dedicated to the cause of Staying In, we’ll be focusing on hunkering down and getting cosy, moving only from feast to feast. Because if you can’t PIG out at Christmas, when can you? thepighotel.com

Going Out

Visit Silverstone Lap Of Lights, Northamptonshire

If a relaxing staycation isn’t your idea of a Christmas treat (though we can’t imagine why), head to Silverstone where the winter lights festival comes with a dose of adrenaline. Perfect for F1-loving families, Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit gets a festive glow-up for the Lap of Lights, where the drive-through light trail lets you follow in the tyre tracks of F1 legends beneath tunnels of LEDs, lasers and colour. After completing your illuminated lap, you can carry on the high-octane fun with skating on the Ice Trak through the F1 garages, a visit to Santa’s Garage in partnership with LEGO, and festive bites from German sausages to mince pies and mulled wine. Perhaps they could move the ice rink pit-side for next year’s race to liven up the pit stops? Though some of the teams’ strategists – naming no names – are already skating on thin ice… silverstone.co.uk

Property Of The Day

Sat just a stone’s throw away from Billionaire’s Row, this palatial mansion is complete with all the glittering chandeliers, pillars, pools and bathrooms (10 to be exact) you’d expect. The highlight? A 1000 sqft drawing room larger than your average terraced house. 

On the market for £9.5m. Find out more at dexters.co.uk

Little Luxury

Fine jeweller Loquet has created a limited edition charm for Dover Street Market. Crafted in 18k solid gold, the Eclipse Heart Charm features 18 VVS diamonds set around a black agate cabochon – which Loquet notes has long been associated with protection and stability. Sold exclusively at Dover Street Market, available until 31 December 2025.

Competition Time

Win a countryside mini-break to The Montagu Arms in the New Forest, with the opportunity to bring your dog along for the fun. Enter here

Psssst…

A new bakery is opening at Claridge’s in January, helmed by one of the world’s top bakers, Richard Hart, and focusing on nostalgic treats – think French Fancies and Bakewell Tarts.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Baste your turkey this Christmas, says restaurateur Tom Brooke. Instead, blanche it: ‘Pour a kettle of boiling water over the raw turkey, then leave it uncovered in the fridge for 24 hours. It tightens and dries the skin so when you roast, you get that perfect golden crunch without drying out the meat.’