As the festive season arrives, Lympstone Manor transforms into a haven of Christmas magic, nestled amidst rolling hills overlooking the serene Exe Estuary. In this exclusive Q&A with General Manager, Alex McEwen, we delve into the heart of Lympstone Manor's Christmas offerings, exploring the heartwarming traditions, culinary delights, and exceptional service that make it an unforgettable winter getaway.

Describe Christmas at Lympstone Manor

We want all guests, no matter what age they are, to feel the magic of Christmas at Lympstone Manor. Each room has a festive touch and guests are welcomed to their rooms with an individual, hand-crafted wreath that sits around the artwork of the bird their room is named after.

Our reception area is particularly festive, it’s joyous to see our guests’ faces when they arrive. The whole team goes above and beyond to sprinkle festive magic into everything they do.

How does the festive season impact the guest experience?

It’s like having an extended family here for Christmas! The personal touches we add like a surprise Christmas gift to each guest and the meticulously planned Christmas itinerary allow guests to truly leave their stresses at the door and enter a world of Christmas luxury.

What’s your most memorable guest experience during Christmas time at the hotel?

Welcoming our guests on Christmas Eve with mulled wine, mince pies and carols on the terrace accompanied by the Exeter Brass Band and a glass of our Classic Cuvee as a finale.

Are there any special or seasonal wines from Lympstone Manor's vineyard that guests can enjoy during their Christmas celebrations at the hotel?

Of course our Classic Cuvee to start followed by our award-winning Triassic Pinot Noir

Are there any special holiday traditions or activities that guests can only experience at your hotel during Christmas?

On Boxing Day, we do a quick vineyard tour followed by a wine tasting in our fabulous Pool House restaurant.

Do you collaborate or partner with any local businesses for the festive season?

We work with several local suppliers such as Dart Farm and Greendales Farm shop, the list is extensive!

Are there any sustainability initiatives you’ve integrated into your Christmas decorations or events?

Investing in décor that lasts, we avoid plastic tinsels and decorations and go for glass and materials that we can reuse. Around the exterior of the house, we use potted trees where possible, our estate team will then replant these in the hope we can then use them again in the future.

How does your hotel approach designing your Christmas décor to wow your guests? Are there any innovative or distinctive decorations or themes that you have found particularly successful?

Our theme is traditional with a contemporary twist, we like to feature bows, sparkling glass baubles and seasonally inspired floral displays within each room.

The festive arch around the front door has become a bit of a social stir! Each year we have a meeting with our florist and plot out the colour scheme for the year. This year we went traditional with wonderful velvet red bows and our guests have loved it.