Festive Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas

Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa is hosting a festive afternoon tea with Father Christmas on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December, with two sittings each day: 13:00-15:00 and 15:00-17:00. It's held in the Elizabethan Suite, and the main draw is Father Christmas visiting each table to spread some cheer and hand a special gift to every child.

The hotel itself is a five-star country house on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, part of a former Henry VIII estate that Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake once visited. Local legend says it's home to a ghost or two, and the Great Hall keeps that old-world feel with the coat of arms of James I, a grand stone fireplace, and suits of armour. It's also home to Àclèaf, a Michelin-starred restaurant with four AA Rosettes led by head chef Scott Paton, and the Gaia Spa, a wellness retreat that opened in 2016.

Families gather in the Elizabethan Suite for the afternoon tea treats, and Father Christmas comes round to each table to hand a gift to every child. One thing to keep in mind: the organisers have noted that dance performances and festive activities aren't part of this afternoon tea; those are only included in the Santa's Grotto events. So this one is more about the tea and the visit than a full programme of entertainment.

It's £21 per child and £38 per adult. The sittings are 13:00-15:00 and 15:00-17:00 on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December, at the Elizabethan Suite, Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa, Boringdon Hill, Colebrook, Plymouth, PL7 4DP.