Heckfield Place, Christmas Holidays

Fancy a Heckfield Winter Escape? Christmas in a glorious Manor Home just outside of London, although I’m not big on snow or cold weather, cocooning at Heckfield Place sounds divine! I loved my stay, the property is abound with blazing fireplaces, soft snuggly sofas and massive armchairs in quiet corners for catching up on your latest book. Pass by the enormous puzzle table and add a few pieces to the group puzzle. This 250 year old Georgian House is waiting to become a home full of celebration and good cheer!

Heckfield Place
Main Dining room Heckfield Place

By the day: December 21,22 Celebrate the Winter Solstice on this beautiful estate. Explore 438 acres with walks and movement classes, let your children join the magic of Mud & Guts adventures and the Heckfield Tree Hunt. Into the evening, follow the light – guests will wind their way by candlelight to watch the moon and stars with Sirius Astronomy’s  Paul Hill. Luxuriate with beautiful Cocktail shaking in the Moon Bar, Christmas tea and nog, festive movies each day. The Moon Bar is gorgeous, the perfect spot for a tipple, see my individual post from my visit.

December 23 Christmas festivities continue with Estate Walks and Movement Walks and classes, Christmas tea and Christmas movies as usual.

Gorgeous Mood setting of the Moon Bar

December 24 Christmas Eve Ho ho hoof… Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer in the afternoon, before a cozy Christmas tea in the Drawing Room. Carol singers make a grand entrance in the Hall, followed by a delicious dinner in famed Marle restaurant. Run by chef Skye Gyngell. Previously the Michelin-starred chef at Petersham Nurseries, Gyngell then went on to open Spring in Somerset House before overseeing the menu and kitchen aHeckfield’s Marle. Take a candlelit walk through their Winter Wonderland to find the Minstrel. Midnight mass in Heckfield church for those who wish. During the day, enjoy activities from yoga and cycling to wildlife walks. Christmas stockings for those who are good…

December 25 Christmas Day Traditional and cozy, join in for a heart-warming family time and delicious food. All gather in the Hall for a glass of Champagne before feasting on a beautiful lunch in Marle. The afternoon includes Christmas cake and traditional scrumptious mince pies in the House with games and charades by the fireplace. Round off the evening with a festive movie in the Dolby Atmos Screening Room. Activities available as usual in the morning — and later, for those who are still hungry, there is Supper in the cozy charming Hearth. The puzzle table is always a tempting spot.

Marle Restaurant- Farm to Table Heckfield Place
One of my favorite suites, Heckfield Place

December 27,28, 29, 30 Between Christmas and New Year, join us for a range of Heckfield estate activities and movement classes, movies and delicious mouthwatering meals.

Who can resist a morning soak? Heckfield Place

Heckfield Place

December 28, join us for our Annual Puppet Show.

December 31 New Year’s Eve 2019 Sumptuous Six-course Dinner in Marle, followed by joyful Music and a Party in the House and the Moon Bar. Look skyward to mark the end of 2019: enjoy Heckfield Place’s celebratory fireworks.

Heckfield Place Screening Room

January 04 The last of the Christmas period, come a-wassailing with us. Join a Traditional Musical Troupe to encourage an abundant harvest in the winter Orchards, walking from the House down to the Home Farm.

We hope you will join Heckfield Place for a traditional Season of Joy and Celebrate in style, ring me for reservations!

Four Seasons Maldives Hotels & Private Island

The Four Seasons Maldives properties offer the highest level of Luxury, it’s time to begin plotting your winter and spring escapes!  Consisting of two hotel properties, which I love and if you need an exclusive Private Island amid the indigo seas, the Four Seasons also has a scrumptious private island home. A heavenly hideaway, a sublime sanctuary offering the utmost in privacy and iconic Four Seasons pampering at the world’s first exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway, Voavah. A seven-bedroom private island Maldives home, the sojourn includes a 62-foot luxury yacht: Voavah Summer and a marine territory that’s utterly your own! Voavah, private island is a welcome addition to the two luxurious Four Seasons Resorts in the Maldives.


Our mantra on the art of the opening act, your arrival sets the stage: with a personal VIP Seaplane, alighting on the pristine pure white sand, your private beach! Tip toe over the scuttling white shelled hermit crabs and the delicious dilemma develops, what shall you do first: laps in the pool, a discovery afternoon of diving or casting, or snooze until sunset? Decisions, decisions!

Sneak peek: accommodating up to 22 guests in seven bedrooms, with its own chefs, staff, private spa, and a 65-foot-long PADIequipped motor yacht with a dedicated dive master. This extraordinary five-acre, island paradise is your private playground – retreat or indulge in the total privacy as a castaway!


Explore the outstanding wonders of the sea with incomparable diving – an overflowing menu of possibilities including snorkeling with manta rays, scuba diving, fishing, paddle boarding, hunting for brilliant turtles and afternoon dolphin safaris on your private motor yacht. As the day ebbs, prepare for a shimmering canvas of five-star sunsets or stargazing under a midnight blue sky illuminated with a necklace of sparkling stars. Nighttime skyglow is magical in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives hover just above the equator.

Privacy is everything at Voavah. Let us whisk you away on arrival in Malé with CIP services for immigration clearing and access to a VIP seaplane for the 40-minute onward flight to Voavah.  Privacy and protection certain due to Voavah’s 24-hour on-site security, night-vision cameras, CCTV and regular patrols, guests can indulge and begin checking off the long list of pleasurable activities from the moment they arrive. Voavah’s single entry point means no one arrives without staff knowledge. Medical Services – All of the guests have access to a 24-hour doctor on call, as well as access to Landaa Clinic (20 minutes away).

This incredible location in the remote Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, Voavah offers the freedom of a castaway in a luxurious setting, a private paradise. A blissful over-water spa, the yacht Summer, a staff of more than 20, including a team or personal butlers and an epicurean chef. Three stunning villas accommodate the guests. Cleverly configured to host extended family and friends or your fashionable entourage in a three-bedroom beach front villa, a two-bedroom over-water bungalow and a crucial beach house containing a suite and a bunk room for up to four children, perfect for the nanny.

Just steps from the powder sands, the Three-Bedroom Beach Villa at Voavah is a sight to behold. With a massive sunbathing pool, al fresco living room and master bedroom with ocean views on three sides, the vast beach-chic interiors ooze effortless style and an undeniable at-home vibe. The master bedroom has an attached study/children’s room, while the two additional bedrooms are each housed in their own separate pavilion.
Divide your time around the two-story Beach House and the broad expanse of sugar white sand, gin clear seas and the rich reef teeming with marine life, the ultimate castaway lifestyle! The Beach House living room merges outside with inside, a library and loft lounge, a dining room, gourmet kitchen, an expansive pool deck, and a rock star gym. The  seven bedrooms span three separate venues over the lagoon, on the beach, or in the Mezzanine Suites. The most elevated position on the island, the two Mezzanine Suites at Voavah overlook the vast beach, turquoise lagoon and Biosphere Reserve beyond. Located at either end of the Beach House upper floor, each suite’s ocean-view outdoor sea-view shower and panoramic balcony deliver the height of residential chic. The Mezzanine Suites flank the Loft Lounge, a lovely in-the-eaves chill zone complete with comfy seating, pool table and views that stretch forever. Just off the Lounge, the Bunk Room has beds for up to four children, creating a great kids’ floor for larger groups.

The Voavah Vibe is all about satisfying and spoiling the guests, providing the ultimate in bespoke experiences. Last minute plea for sundowners as an exceptional sunset signals the closure of another perfect day, the chef will oblige! Kiddos dying for a pizza class, yes, of course! Sunrise on the sandbar, consider it done! Heard your friends are dining at Blu at Landaa Giraavaru, it’s a 25-minute cruise to the Four Seasons resort under a black sky twinkling with diamonds.

Expanding horizons, The Oceans of Consciousness Spa offers bespoke over-water spa therapies and rituals; yoga, meditation and pranayama classes; high-end beauty treatments; and Rossano Ferretti hair consultant on call. Private and perched over the glistening lagoon, the Spa offers bespoke treatments by ila inspired by the five pathways to consciousness: Truth, Wise Choices, Love, Peace and Compassion. Sink into your inner bliss with tailored treatments attributed to a specific pathway.


Devote delightful days discovering the undisturbed UNESCO paradise, Voavah Summer will introduce you to snorkeling or diving with whale sharks, year around manta rays; surfing on unknown breaks, casting for a sea banquet, exploring local islands, basking in sensational sunsets on the Baa Atoll, pleasurable moments are never-ending.

Gather your entourage and we will help plan your Exclusive Escape!