Two of Durham's top hotels are promising partygoers and families a cracker of a Christmas with everything from parties and pantomimes to a little bit of festive pampering...
Ask any busy person what they would most like Santa to gift them in the run up to Christmas and there’s every likelihood it will be for someone else to do the heavy lifting.
If they’re not cooking for the family, entertaining friends, or keeping the kids amused, they are so busy shopping, planning and making lists that they switch off only when their head hits the pillow.
But a fairy godmother – or two – is at hand in the shape of Ramside Hall Hotel Golf and Spa, at Carville, and Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield; each of which has come up with a December programme of events guaranteed to take the strain when it comes to festive fun and entertainment.
Ramside Hall gets the ball rolling with a Christmas Comedy Club evening on 24 November before a series of live bands take to the stage on a succession of party nights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout December.
And, on Sunday 3 December, good old-fashioned family fun is on offer with a special performance of the pantomime Cinderella.
This classic children’s story is brought wonderfully and colourfully to life for the young and young at heart, while, for those who prefer bingo to Buttons, there’s the chance to wield a dabber on Friday 8 December at a Bingo’n’Crazy night.
Throughout the month there’s the chance to enjoy musical tributes to stars of the 80s and 90s along with the legendary Rat Pack and, of course, the man whose voice just seems to sum up Christmas; Michael Bublé.
On Sunday, 10 December, Ramside Hall Hotel gives its Christmas gift to customers in the form of its annual, complimentary, hour-long Santa Sunday show, with donations invited for its chosen charity.
Children will be able to actually meet the great man on 20 and 21 December, in the hotel’s clubhouse, while adults dining at the hotel’s Rib Room or Pemberton Restaurant will be soothed by the sound of traditional tunes, sung by carollers from 20 December to Christmas Eve.
While he’s in Durham, the festive fellow is also planning to stop off at Hardwick Hall Hotel, which, like its sister venue, has a packed programme of fun and games for all the family throughout December.
With an outstanding choice of Christmas party nights, fabulous live entertainment and amazing food, this stunning hotel, set in acres of beautiful parkland, is the perfect backdrop for festive fun.
Its Decades Disco Party Nights include a two-course menu, followed by dancing to its very own Zodiac Disco.
And the Festive Party Nights include a three-course party menu, live entertainment guaranteed to get the party started, and Zodiac Disco Party.
The Live Bavarian Party Experience is back by popular demand on 1 and 2 December, featuring live music from The Bavarian Stompers, a three-course meal, live entertainment and disco.
And, in the true spirit of Christmas, Hardwick Hall’s Santa Sunday is on 17 December this year, with the chance for all ages to enjoy an hour-long live show, completely free of charge.
On Christmas day itself, the hotel’s chefs and staff will all be working flat out to provide families with a fantastic festive feast before turning their attention to New Year.
Each hotel is preparing to ring out the old year and ring in 2024 by pulling out all the stops to provide superb food and music so partygoers can dance and dine until the early hours.
And, of course the most important gift of all for the busy person – the one charged with ensuring this Christmas, like every Christmas, is as perfect, as special and memorable for every single member of the family as it can be is…peace.
They even have that covered thanks to The Spa at Ramside Hall, where highly trained therapists and state of the art relaxation rooms, pools and treatment menus ensure that even the busiest person is pampered and prepared for whatever challenges the season brings.
So, come on Christmas…we’re ready for you.
For further information visit www.ramsidehallhotel. co.uk or www.hardwickhall.co.uk