Here at South Winchester Lodges, we love the vibrancy of calendar-worthy-events and festivities, but we always remember to give a gentle nod to the 'hush of the in-between' - the delicate balance that helps us recover from one season before moving gently to the next.
November in Winchester has a softness all of its own. The technicolour of summer has faded, and the glitter of Christmas is just around the corner, so we find ourselves in this calm and quiet kind of magic. It’s the hush before the festive explosion. Mornings arrive wrapped in mist, the air smells faintly of woodsmoke, and the trees stand bare but beautiful against the low (sometimes blinding) sun. It’s a month that invites you to slow down and find warmth wherever we can. To enjoy the plush hug from a thick jumper, a steaming mug of hot chocolate, a glowing fire, and a place that feels like home.
And that’s exactly what South Winchester Lodges is made for, that precious in-between moment when you crave comfort, calm, and a touch of countryside luxury without the chaos - and all conveniently located just down the motorway!
There’s something deeply comforting about stepping into your lodge in November. The air outside might be sharp and fresh, but inside, everything is soft and warm from the woodburning stove, made all the more special by the soothing clink of hot-chocolatey-mugs and the slow relaxing of shoulders after the week’s rush.
The best part about staying at the lodges, beyond the comfort and the quint essential English-countryside-setting, is the freedom. It’s not a hotel with key cards and long omnipresent corridors, or breakfast slots that close just as you’re finding your slippers. This is your space. Your time. Your rules.
Not to mention your own kitchen! (Fully equipped, have we said that before?) Children can play safely, dogs can doze at your feet, and nobody’s going to tell you that it’s time to check out of the hot tub. Though, if you do venture out, the city is quietly beautiful this time of year. The crowds are not yet there and the Christmas Market still gathering its sparkle.
St Catherine’s Hill rises just beyond the city, offering sweeping views of the valley. It’s one of those places where the air feels cleaner, the sky wider, and the walk down feels peaceful. It’s a wonderful way to see a lot without being away from your luxury cabin for too long.
Then there’s the Cathedral Close, all cobbles and golden stone, where you can wander wherever your feet take you before the market opens its doors. The bells might chime in the distance, and the air might carry the first faint scent of mulled wine, but it’s all in bite size pieces, little reminders that something wonderful is on its way but that you still have time to simply ‘be’.
And if all that fresh air makes you peckish, why not head for The Handlebar Café by the Water Meadows, a tucked-away little gem that feels delightfully off the beaten track. Why not order a coffee, perhaps something sweet too, and enjoy the comings and goings of the locals.
Of course, there’s the promise of Christmas excitement just beginning to stir, gathering quietly on the High Street. You might spot the twinkling of fairy lights in a shop window, or the local bakery perfecting their mince pies before the festive rush, (we strongly recommend trying said mince pies for oneself!) Over at Winchester Cathedral the market begins to hum to life, a little more each day, filling the air with spices and heady scents.
So, before the world speeds up again, this is your moment to breathe, to wrap yourself in warmth, and let Winchester’s gentle hush work its charm.
At South Winchester Lodges, every little detail, from the crackle of the log burning stove to the calm of the surrounding ancient woodland, is designed to help you recharge before the season ahead. It’s your pause before the party, your calm before the carols, and your invitation to rest before the rush. We’d love you to visit us soon, why not choose a date today?