Hambleton Hall has embraced the festive season this month by quite literally decking the great hall and its galleried landing with boughs of holly! Added to this are frosted garlands bearing twinkling lights and miniature pheasants in full feather interwoven into the foliage. Florist Susie takes her cues from the landscape surrounding the hotel and brings as much foraged greenery in from the grounds.
In the Drawing Room you will find mistletoe and eucalyptus displays dotted with delicate butterflies and baubles, enhancing the natural cosy ambience of the Victorian hunting box with real fires blazing in all fireplaces on the ground floor. Not forgetting the Christmas tree joyfully decorated with traditional elegance in the lobby; its ruby red and gold baubles jostling for position with golden angels, iridescent ribbon and sparkling lights.
Festive lunches and dinners in the Study arrive to see at their table laid with a fresh flower centrepiece, typically amaryllis with eucalyptus as well as golden crackers and candelabra.
December is when Aaron Patterson adds new ingredients to all the menus, forging traditional and exotic items. He says “You can expect to see new combinations of flavours this month using local mallard, hen of the wood and beef steak mushrooms” alongside local venison that Hambleton Hall is so renowned for. Plus surprising new ingredients including winter truffles and Japanese artichokes “which our guests will find as interesting as we do”.