If you are pulling out your hair at the thought of a big family get-together at your house this Christmas, or your oven has just given up the ghost, or you just need to get away and put 2016 behind you (a lot of us need to do that) then it’s not too late to pack your bags and hot-foot it to Somerset. Babington House, part of Soho House’s ever-increasing and ever-lovely portfolio of properties, has a multitude of festive treats on offer for all ages. Screenings in their own cinema of The Polar Express, The BFG and The Nutcracker will suit young and old, and even Bridget Jones’ Diary can be honoured by watching with a large Chardonnay in hand.
For those of you who wish for some fresh air in the 18 acres of grounds around the beautiful Georgian house, there is clay pigeon shooting, archery and pony rides on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Food-wise, you can eat your fill with lunch and dinner menus across the whole festive period, and there is a Champagne dinner and DJ on New Year’s Eve. If that’s not enough of the good-times, then there is the Cowshed Spa to restore even the most tattered of equilibriums. Perhaps rather than packing that bag you might need the full suitcase collection in case you don’t ever want to go home. Babington House, Somerset, BA11 3RW, 01373-812266