Cold air over the lake. Coats drying by the door. A fire lit before supper. Christmas in the Cotswolds works best when the place fits the people.
Upper Court sits in Kemerton, on a staffed family estate with self-catering cottages for Christmas, manor house rooms, and space for the whole estate to be taken for exclusive use. It suits families, old friends, and multi-generational groups who want to gather properly, with generous spaces for gathering together, alongside plenty of quieter nooks and corners to retreat to.
For some guests, that means a cottage for a few nights between Christmas and New Year. For others, it means taking the whole estate for up to 44 guests, with the cottages, manor rooms, and grounds held for one group.
A Christmas stay with room for everyone
Planning cottages for Christmas usually starts with a few practical questions:
At Upper Court, we give groups a few ways to arrange the stay. The estate includes the Courtyard Cottages, the Dovecote, manor house rooms, and shared grounds. For larger gatherings, the whole estate can be taken for exclusive use, sleeping up to 44.
The Courtyard Cottages work well when the group wants shared living space and cottage kitchens. The Dovecote gives a smaller group, like a couple or family, its own lakeside setting. The manor rooms add further accommodation for exclusive-use stays. Taken together, our estate gives a Christmas group one place to gather, without asking every guest to live in the same room all day.
The Gallery can also be added to part-estate bookings, and is included when the whole estate is taken for exclusive use. It seats up to 60 people and has kitchen facilities and a WC, giving groups another useful communal space for meals, games or time together.
- Where will everyone sleep?
- Can the group eat together?
- Who needs a quieter room?
- Where can children play?
- Are dogs coming?
- How much of the cooking does the group want to do?
At Upper Court, we give groups a few ways to arrange the stay. The estate includes the Courtyard Cottages, the Dovecote, manor house rooms, and shared grounds. For larger gatherings, the whole estate can be taken for exclusive use, sleeping up to 44.
The Courtyard Cottages work well when the group wants shared living space and cottage kitchens. The Dovecote gives a smaller group, like a couple or family, its own lakeside setting. The manor rooms add further accommodation for exclusive-use stays. Taken together, our estate gives a Christmas group one place to gather, without asking every guest to live in the same room all day.
“We spent a wonderful week in four Upper Court cottages over Christmas. We went for long walks, visited the excellent local pub, and enjoyed the grounds. The owners were kind and helpful.”
Enquire about Christmas and New Year
EnquireAt a glance
The Cotswolds in winter is more enjoyable with space built into the day. Weather changes, shops and attractions keep seasonal hours, and a large group rarely moves quickly.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is Upper Court? | Upper Court is in Kemerton, near Tewkesbury, on the edge of the Cotswolds. |
| What type of stay is it? | Self-catering cottages and manor rooms on a staffed, host-occupied family estate. |
| How many guests can stay? | The whole estate sleeps up to 44 for exclusive use. |
| What works for larger groups? | The Courtyard Cottages sleep up to 25. Exclusive use adds the manor rooms and the Dovecote. |
| Is it suitable for Christmas and New Year? | Yes, subject to availability, seasonal pricing, and minimum-stay requirements. |
| Is catering included? | No. The cottages are self-catering. Catering recommendations or extras may be arranged by request. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Dogs are welcome in selected cottages, subject to the final dog policy and cleaning charge. |
| What should be booked early? | Seasonal dates, exclusive use, optional extras, catering support, hot tub, sauna, and any group activities. |
A three-night Christmas rhythm
The Cotswolds in winter is more enjoyable with space built into the day. Weather changes, shops and attractions keep seasonal hours, and a large group rarely moves quickly.
| Day | A calm structure for the group |
|---|---|
| Arrival day | Arrive from 4pm, settle rooms, light the fire, unpack food, and keep supper simple. If your group has booked extras, confirm timings with our team. |
| Christmas Eve or first full day | Walk from Kemerton or drive to Broadway, Tewkesbury or Cheltenham. Leave the late afternoon open for cooking, games, and guests arriving later. |
| Christmas Day | Stay close to the estate. Breakfast, a short walk, a long meal, and an evening by the fire are enough for most groups. |
| Boxing Day or New Year’s Day | Choose a village visit, a Bredon Hill walk, a sauna or hot tub session, or a slow morning before departure plans begin. |
“We went in the gap between Christmas and New Year to unwind in the countryside. The converted Stable block was spacious and comfortable, the kitchen was well equipped, and there was plenty for the boys to do.”
What to do in the Cotswolds at Christmas
The best winter days usually have a few things in common: a walk, a village, lunch out, late shopping, or a quiet afternoon on the estate. Trying to fit too much into December can make the days feel smaller, not bigger.
Walk from Kemerton or head for Bredon Hill
Footpaths run from the edge of Kemerton onto Bredon Hill. For guests staying at Upper Court, that means a winter walk can begin close to the village rather than with a long drive to a trailhead.
Bredon Hill suits guests who want open views, proper fresh air, and a reason to come back hungry. In winter, the practical points matter: wear boots, check daylight, take an extra layer, and keep dogs on the lead near livestock. If the weather turns, shorten the plan and stay lower down.
Read our guide to Bredon Hill walks for two routes from the village edge.
Visit Broadway for lights and late shopping
Broadway is one of the North Cotswolds villages that many guests like to visit in winter. In 2026, Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping is listed for Friday 27 November and Friday 4 December, from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. It brings the village shops, lights, food and evening atmosphere into one manageable outing.
For those staying at Upper Court over the main Christmas week, Broadway can still work as a daytime visit: a walk along the high street, a stop for coffee or lunch, and time to see the village without making the whole day about shopping.
See Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping 2026 for the latest dates and details.
Keep Tewkesbury close
Tewkesbury is the nearest low-effort town visit for many groups. It works well when the group wants an outing that does not take over the day: the Abbey, independent shops, the riverside and somewhere to eat before heading back to Kemerton.
In December, it is worth allowing time for a slower wander rather than a tightly planned itinerary. Seasonal markets, lights and events vary from year to year, so you can check local listings closer to your stay.
Consider Gloucester for a larger Christmas market day
For guests who want a busier seasonal outing, Gloucester can be worth checking alongside the Cotswolds villages. Christmas market dates and opening details should be confirmed against current listings before the stay, but it can work for groups who want more stalls, shopping and a larger city setting before returning to Kemerton.
Use Cheltenham for arrivals, shopping and a larger town day
Cheltenham is useful for train arrivals, a broader shopping day, theatre plans, and guests who want a larger town rather than another village. Cheltenham Spa Station is about 18 to 20 minutes from Upper Court.
For groups arriving separately, Cheltenham can also be the meeting point before the final drive to Kemerton. It is not the centre of the stay, but it can make arrival and planning easier for guests travelling from different places.
Plan a North Cotswolds loop only if the weather is settled
Broadway, Winchcombe, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold can be combined into a wider North Cotswolds day if the group has cars and the weather is kind. In December, shorter is often better. Choose two stops, book lunch if needed, and leave enough light for the drive back.
Plan ahead with our North Cotswolds long weekend guide.
Christmas Day on the estate
Some Christmas days need little more than a warm house, a walk, and a meal that can take its time. At Upper Court, the day can stay close to the estate: breakfast in the cottage, children outside if the weather allows, a walk before lunch, a long table, a quieter room for anyone who needs it, and the fire lit again in the evening. With exclusive use, our whole estate is held for your group, so there are no other guests arriving for a different kind of celebration.
For families, the value is in the space between moments. A child can nap, someone can take the dog out, and grandparents can sit away from the noise. The house does not need to perform. It simply needs to hold the day well.
New Year in the Cotswolds
New Year at Upper Court can be kept simple: a long supper, a walk on New Year's Day and a few quiet hours before everyone heads home.
Groups often use the days between Christmas and New Year differently. Some keep the same group for the full break. Others arrange a shorter stay for New Year only. If you are planning for a larger group, ask us about exclusive use early, as seasonal dates have different pricing, deposits and minimum stays.
Choosing where to stay on the estate
The best Christmas booking depends on how your group wants to spend the day. A family with small children may want everyone close to one kitchen. A wider group may want several sleeping areas. A New Year group may care more about dinner space, fireside time and a morning walk. We have tailored options below for you to choose from.
| Stay option | Sleeps | Best suited to | Notes to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtyard Cottages | Up to 25 | Larger family gatherings, reunions and milestone stays where people want shared living space. | The Coach House and Courtyard Cottage are taken together as the Courtyard Cottages. |
| The Dovecote | Four | A couple, a small family, or additional guests within a wider estate booking. | The Dovecote sits by the lake. Young children need supervision near the water. |
| Manor house rooms | 6 rooms, sleeps up to 15 | Room-only accommodation for exclusive-use estate stays. | No self-catering in the manor house. No children in the manor rooms except the Attic Room, the only child-friendly manor unit. |
| Whole estate | Up to 44 | Multi-generational Christmas, New Year gatherings, and groups wanting exclusive use. | The estate is held for one group, subject to seasonal terms and availability. |
The Courtyard Cottages are the Coach House and Courtyard Cottage taken together. They sleep up to 25 across two cottages facing one another across the courtyard. This suits groups who want to share the stay but still let people step away when they need a quieter hour. For Christmas, the useful detail is how rooms and living spaces support the day: food prepared in one place, children moving between rooms, someone reading by the fire, and the group finding its own rhythm after lunch.
The Dovecote sleeps four beside the lake. It has its own kitchen and position on the estate, making it useful for a couple, a small family, or guests in a larger group who would rather be slightly apart. Young children need supervision near the water.
Whole-estate exclusive use gives one group the manor, cottages and grounds, with up to 44 guests and no other visitors coming and going. Upper Court is a village estate rather than a late-night party venue, so expectations about amplified music, very late nights or a high-noise format should be discussed before booking.
“We had the most wonderful stay with our whole company to celebrate Christmas at Upper Court. Everyone slept well and we had all the resources we needed.”
Self-catering, with the estate team nearby
Upper Court includes self-catering cottages on a staffed family estate, with our team nearby if you need to ask about arrangements before your stay.
Self-catering lets each group keep its own traditions. Breakfast can be late, lunch can be simple or carefully planned, and children can eat earlier. Dogs can be walked before the roast goes in. People can arrive with food from home, collect what they need locally, or arrange help where it is available.
What our estate adds is the reassurance of hosts nearby and services that can be discussed ahead of time. Depending on the booking, groups can ask us about catering recommendations, grocery deliveries, welcome hampers, firewood, hot tub hire, sauna hire, pool heating, fire pit sessions, or estate activities.
Confirm the accommodation layout
Makes room allocation easier, especially for children, older guests and anyone with mobility needs.
Confirm seasonal terms
Christmas and New Year may carry different pricing, deposits and minimum stays.
Confirm food plans
Self-catering works best when groceries, catering support or deliveries are arranged early.
Confirm optional extras
Hot tub, sauna, fire pit, pool heating and activities may need advance notice.
Confirm dog and child rules
Keeps the booking aligned with the estate's per-unit rules.
Confirm arrival and departure times
Helps the group plan travel, food deliveries and first-night arrangements.
Good to know before you enquire
Before you enquire, it helps to have a rough sense of your group size, dates, room needs and whether dogs or young children are coming. We can then help you understand which part of the estate is likely to suit the stay.
Please note: Upper Court sleeps up to 44 when the whole estate is taken for exclusive use. The Courtyard Cottages are the Coach House and Courtyard Cottage taken together, sleeping up to 25. The Dovecote sleeps four and sits by the lake, so young children need supervision near the water. The cottages are self-catering, with hosts and a housekeeping team on the estate. Manor house rooms are dog-free. Christmas and New Year dates are priced separately and may carry longer minimum stays. Christmas and New Year have a three-night minimum stay on the current booking page. Check-in is usually at 4pm and check-out is at 10am. Optional extras and experiences should be arranged in advance, especially over seasonal dates. Catering is not included as standard; recommendations or arrangements should be discussed with our team.
Enquire about Christmas and New Year at Upper Court. If you are planning Christmas or New Year in the Cotswolds, we can help you work out which part of the estate suits your group, how the accommodation fits together, and what to confirm before you book.
