Our travel advisor Brynne spent the holidays in England with her family, visiting London, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire. This trip was a mix of city buzz and countryside calm, with a focus on experiencing Christmas magic in the United Kingdom.
LONDON
London never disappoints, and Brynne was long overdue for a trip back to one of her favorite cities. They started their holiday here, diving straight into the hustle and bustle. Fighting off jet lag, they had brunch at the fabulous Chiltern Firehouse and rode around the city in an iconic double-decker bus—her girls’ number one request! Another dining highlight was a brunch-time tea at Sketch. The golden tea room is gorgeous, and Brynne’s girls thought they were in a fairy tale!
They stayed at Hotel Café Royal, which perfectly balances historic charm and modern luxury, with 160 beautifully designed rooms and suites. Its location? Spot on. It’s just steps from Regent Street, perfect for a bit of shopping, and a short walk to Piccadilly Circus for those iconic London strolls under the Regent Street lights. The best part? Viewing the lights from their Regent Suite and avoiding the crowds!
London in winter has its own kind of magic, and the family made the most of it. At Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, they wandered through twinkling lights, enjoyed festive rides, and explored endless market stalls. Brynne highly recommends visiting Winter Wonderland on a weekday when schools are still in session in London. As one of the largest and most festive Christmas markets in the UK, it’s a must-visit destination for the holiday season. Of course, Europe is home to many other incredible markets, and if you’re a fan of festive markets, London is a fantastic starting point for exploring the magic of European Christmas markets.
For a bit of history, they joined the "In Churchill’s Footsteps" tour, which brought Winston Churchill’s incredible life story to light. Because no London trip is complete without a show, they caught The Lion King at The Lyceum Theatre. Her daughters, ages 7 and 5, absolutely loved it!
OXFORDSHIRE
After soaking up London’s buzz, Brynne and her family headed to Oxfordshire, where the pace slowed, and the views stretched wide. Their home base here was Estelle Manor, a countryside retreat that feels like a scene from a movie. Imagine rolling parklands—over 3,000 acres of it—wrapping you in peaceful serenity. The setting was superb, with roaring fires under beautiful garlands adorned with velvet ribbons, and a heated swimming pool with a twinkling Christmas tree in the background!
One of the highlights? Falconry. It’s not every day you get to hold such amazing creatures on your arm and see them up close. It was a "wow" moment for the whole family. And when they weren’t out with the birds, they were skating with their daughters on the seasonal Estelle Ice Rink! The girls also loved driving the sage green “Little Landies.”
Evenings at Estelle Manor were something special, too. The food was some of the best Brynne has ever had while traveling. From British classics like Beef Wellington to a black truffle risotto she still thinks about, they filled their cups (and bellies) at beautiful candlelit tables.
HAMPSHIRE
The final leg of their trip took them to the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, a Georgian manor tucked into the rolling hills of the English countryside. This place was everything they dreamed of and more, made even better by the Hunter boot-themed Christmas decorations! The welcome to their Belvedere Suite was completely over the top, with personalized treats for their girls.
Their days were filled with countryside adventures. Her daughters adored pony grooming, while the adults joined in for horse riding. The estate itself had gorgeous grounds offering picture-perfect moments at every turn. While her girls enjoyed festive crafts and fun at the Kids Club, the adults took part in an afternoon tea that was truly spectacular. Brynne still sips on the Four Seasons signature blend every morning at home.
The spa, set in a converted 18th-century stable, was the ultimate place to relax and reflect on the trip. One of the most memorable nights was an en suite magic show to celebrate her husband Andrew’s birthday with the in-house magician. It was such a delightful pre-dinner activity! Meals at The Wild Carrot featured fresh, seasonal ingredients throughout.
Brynne’s holiday trip to England shows how you can enjoy the excitement of the city, the tranquility of the countryside, and create unforgettable family memories. While this trip was during the festive season, destinations like London, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire are also fantastic destinations for a spring break alternative. They offer a refreshing change of pace from traditional beach vacations, with opportunities to explore historic landmarks, picturesque countryside estates, and vibrant city life.
European family travel is one of our favorite types of vacations to plan! We take into consideration the ages, genders and interests of the kids as well as parents’ preferences to make sure it is a memorable vacation for the entire family !