Celebrate Christmas in a Magical Grade 1 Elizabethan Manor
in the Beautiful Devon Countryside
Friday 24th - Monday 27th December 2010
A Christmas House Party - with just 32 guests!
When you approach Combe House along the mile of winding drive that leads from the pretty cob thatched Devon village of Gittisham and see the trees-a-twinkling with fairy lights, you’ll know that you’ve discovered a magical country hideaway where you can really relax and unwind. Just 20 minutes from the City of Exeter.
This is somewhere different, somewhere special.
A 16 bedroom Elizabethan manor set in 3,500 acres, close to the spectacular World Heritage Coastline and the rugged open spaces of Dartmoor. On the menu - innovative festive food created by two Master Chefs of Great Britain, Hadleigh Barrett and Stuart Brown, sensational wines and a feast of fun to enjoy with your family and friends in a relaxed, low key atmosphere.
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Christmas Eve - Friday 24th December 2010
Open the broad oak door to be greeted by a towering pine tree, garlands of greenery and fresh festive flowers. There’s a warm welcome from your hosts and bottles of celebratory wine waiting in your room. Settle in and wander down to the Great Hall for a Devonshire clotted cream tea with freshly baked scones in front of the crackling log fire, so we recommend that you arrive by 3.30pm!
This evening, as our pianist Paul tinkles the ivories and the Kir Royale flows, savour home made canapés and mingle with fellow Christmas guests. A memorable candlelit dinner to set the scene by the huge log fire in the Great Hall, the venue for many celebrations reaching back to Elizabethan times.
Then, for those attending midnight mass and Christmas carols, pick up a torch for a moonlight stroll down to Gittisham, described by HRH Prince Charles as ‘the ideal English village’. After the service at St Michael’s Church, return for hot chocolate and home-made Christmas shortbread before a good night’s sleep.
Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December 2010
Downstairs for Bucks Fizz and a splendid Christmas Devon Country Breakfast featuring Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and local applewood bacon, Combe House marmalade, home-made jams and local honey.
Off to Christmas Day Eucharist service at St Michael’s or relax with a choice of coffees and home-made Christmas biscuits. A leisurely walk through Combe’s beech woods will be sure to whet your appetite.
Christmas Lunch will be a five-course feast, with wines carefully chosen by Ken, at individual tables or with fellow guests if you prefer. Hats, jokes, hilarity and happy conversation!
The chefs will use the best of local Devon produce; fish fresh from Brixham, poultry from Silverton, local Ruby Red Devon beef, pork from Smallicombe Farm, vegetables from the kitchen garden and hand-made West Country cheeses.
Spend the afternoon just as you like; have a catnap, read, relax or play cards and board games. Of course, there’s afternoon tea and the chance to guess the weight of Combe’s Christmas cake before devouring it.
This evening, there’s Combe’s Christmas Challenge in the Panel Room for those who wish to join in, followed by a candlelit buffet supper for everyone, just in case you’re still hungry!
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Boxing Day - Sunday 26th December 2010
After Boxing Day breakfast, there’s plenty of time to visit friends and family or you can search for Combe’s Letterbox on Dartmoor, take a bracing walk along the South West coastal path from Branscombe to Beer, or try your hand at fossicking on Charmouth beach near Lyme Regis, then return to Combe for a late informal buffet lunch/afternoon tea by lamp and candlelight in the Georgian Kitchen.
Chef carving the local leg of ham with a variety of homemade breads, Combe chutneys and pork pies. Christmas cake, fresh scones and mince pies hot from the oven. The kettle boiling on the log fired old kitchen range – a real Victorian “behind the scenes” midwinter setting.
A memorable final evening with Emma on the Harp in the Hall, Mark the magician strolling amongst the tables, champagne cocktails and a creative tasting dinner with some very special wines chosen by Ken. For the finale join Jane and her assistant for a glamourous fun casino, Monte Carlo style, with plenty of prizes - guaranteed to be heaps of fun.
Monday 27th December 2010
After a leisurely breakfast, time for fond farewells before heading home. Or why not stay a while longer? There’s plenty to see and do nearby, or simply relax and enjoy being pampered at Combe for the remainder of your stay.
Download 2010 Christmas Brochure (PDF)
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Friday 31st December 2010
When you approach Combe House along the mile of winding drive that leads from the pretty cob thatched Devon village of Gittisham and see the trees-a-twinkling with fairy lights, you’ll know that you’ve discovered a magical country hideaway where you can really relax and unwind.
Just 20 minutes from the City of Exeter. This is “somewhere different, somewhere special”. A 15 bedroom Elizabethan manor set in 3,500 acres, close to the spectacular World Heritage Coastline and the rugged open spaces of Dartmoor.
On the menu - innovative festive food created by two Master Chefs of Great Britain, Hadleigh Barrett and Stuart Brown, sensational wines and a feast of fun and merriment to enjoy with your family and friends.
Friday 31st December 2010 – New Year’s Eve
Open the broad oak door to be greeted by a towering pine tree, garlands of greenery and flamboyant fresh flowers in the Great Hall with its huge log fire. A warm welcome awaits. When you’ve settled in, make your way downstairs to enjoy a Devonshire Clotted Cream Tea. To give yourself time to relax, unwind and move into the New Year party spirit we recommend you arrive by 3.30pm.
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New Year’s Eve Celebrations
This evening, as our pianist plays, the Champagne and Kir Royales will be flowing and there will be a truly decadent New Year’s Eve five course feast with canapés. The Chefs will use the best of local Devon produce; seafood fresh from Brixham, poultry from Silverton, local Ruby Red Devon Beef, Pork from Smallicombe Farm, hand-made West Country farmhouse cheeses and vegetables from the kitchen garden.
There will be dancing in the Great Hall to ‘Catherine Sykes’ and her sensational five piece band. The mellow vocals of one of the finest jazz talents in the UK are guaranteed to give the evening sophistication and swing the party into the New Year. At midnight there will be plenty of bubbles to celebrate and to wish you a Happy 2011.
New Year’s Day - Saturday 1st January 2011
Begin the New Year with a lie in! Come downstairs for a splendid Devon Country Brunch between 9.30 and 11.30am. Enjoy a day at leisure. We have plenty of suggestions for some great places to visit and enjoy; take a bracing walk along the World Heritage coastline from Branscombe to Beer, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the seafront at the Regency town of Sidmouth or explore the wide open spaces of Dartmoor.
This evening Emma, the harpist, plays whilst you enjoy aperitifs and canapés before a 3-course Classic Dinner with dishes to choose from such as Potted Shrimps with Melba Toast, Beef Wellington and Dover Sole Meunière.
Sunday 2nd January 2011
After a leisurely breakfast, time for fond farewells before your onward journey.
See you there – “Happy 2011” |
