London & The Cotswolds Holiday Retreat 2025

December 7–12, 2025

Single: $8,750 (1 participant/1 hotel room)
Double: $7,750 each (2 participants/1 hotel room)
Retreat participant plus travel companion: $9,750 (1 participant/1 travel companion/1 hotel room)

Ring in the magical holiday season with Southern Lady editors in London and the Cotswolds, December 7–12. Enlivened by the marvels of Christmastime, the city streets lead the way to remarkable sites such as Westminster Abbey and unique shops, perfect for checking off your gift list. We’ll relish afternoon tea and venture through the picturesque English countryside, partaking in creative classes that speak to our Southern hearts and then touring Highclere Castle, the grand home of Gracious Living Celebration 2024 speaker Lady Carnarvon. The estate’s exquisite holiday décor is sure to be spectacular, and the memories we make together will be unforgettable.

Each registered attendee will receive a one-year subscription to Southern Lady. If you’re already a subscriber, you have the option of extending your subscription or gifting it.

SINGLE

What’s Included

Three nights at five-star boutique London hotel The Milestone
Two nights at The Pig hotel
Afternoon tea at The Milestone, Fortnum and Mason, and Highclere Castle
Guided Tour of Highclere Castle and Westminster Abbey
Creative workshops with By Matilda and Lucy Crosthwaite
Floral workshop at Daylesford Organic
Welcome reception, breakfast daily, lunch at Daylesford Organic, and three afternoon teas
One-year subscription to Southern Lady
Special gifts from Southern Lady
Travel by private coach to excursions and between hotels

What’s Not Included

Airfare/travel to and from London
Airport transfers
Some meals

DOUBLE

What’s Included

Three nights at five-star boutique London hotel The Milestone
Two nights at The Pig hotel
Afternoon tea at The Milestone, Fortnum and Mason, and Highclere Castle
Guided Tour of Highclere Castle and Westminster Abbey
Creative workshops with By Matilda and Lucy Crosthwaite
Floral workshop at Daylesford Organic
Welcome reception, breakfast daily, lunch at Daylesford Organic, and three afternoon teas
One-year subscription to Southern Lady
Special gifts from Southern Lady
Travel by private coach to excursions and between hotels

What’s Not Included

Airfare/travel to and from London
Airport transfers
Some meals

PARTICIPANT + TRAVEL COMPANION PACKAGE

What’s Included for Travel Companion

Three nights at five-star boutique London hotel The Milestone
Two nights at The Pig hotel
Welcome reception, breakfast daily, and afternoon tea at The Milestone and Highclere Castle
Guided tour of Highclere Castle
Travel by private coach between hotels

What’s Not Included for Travel Companion

Airfare/travel to London
Airport transfers
Some meals
Excursions, including tours and workshops
One-year subscription to Southern Lady
Special gifts from Southern Lady

Don’t wait! Register today.

Have a question about this retreat? Contact us.

Interested in Learning More?

Please fill out the form below and one of our event team members will reach out.

You are required to pay your deposit and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via AdobeSign within 48 hours of receiving a confirmation email. Each person traveling in your reservation must sign this document. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.

ITINERARY

Sunday, December 7

Arrive in London and settle into The Milestone Hotel & Residence, a luxury five-star hotel located in the heart of one of London’s most culturally vibrant boroughs. Enjoy a welcome afternoon tea at the hotel, where you’ll meet Southern Lady editors and your fellow travelers. After our teatime, you are free to explore the city at your leisure, taking in the magic of Christmas lights and holiday décor at every turn.

Monday, December 8

After breakfast, we will visit storied architectural treasure Westminster Abbey for a special coronation-related guided tour. For a fabulous afternoon tea and delightful shopping, we make our way to Fortnum and Mason. Enjoy dinner and explore the city at your leisure for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday, December 9

After packing your luggage and enjoying breakfast, we will travel together by private coach to the sprawling Daylesford Organic farm in the Cotswolds. Partake in a superb 3-course lunch inside the property’s elegant glasshouse, followed by an enlightening floristry workshop with gardening experts. Next, we will head to The Pig and check-in to cozy and charming accommodations, nestled in the English countryside. Enjoy the evening and dinner at the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant at your leisure.

Wednesday, December 10

After breakfast, we’ll depart by private coach for a day of creative inspiration at Charlie Dobbs Events. Nestled in the countryside of West Oxfordshire, the site of medieval manor Bampton Castle endures as Ham Court, now home to Matthew Rice of Emma Bridgewater Pottery. We will begin our morning with a festive floral and tablescape workshop with By Matilda. After lunch on-site, we try our hand at the art of calligraphy with calligrapher, event stylist, and florist Lucy Crosthwaite. Upon returning to The Pig, enjoy dinner on your own.

Thursday, December 11

In the morning, we head to Highclere Castle, the famed filming site of TV series Downton Abbey. The grand country estate is bedecked in exquisite holiday finery this merry time of year. We’ll embark on a private guided tour through the 17th-century castle’s state rooms and bedrooms. Next, descend to the cellars to explore the Egyptian Exhibition, which highlights the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Afterward, we’ll relish a top-notch afternoon tea on the manicured grounds. Then, we’ll return to London and check-in at The Milestone Hotel for one more night.

Friday, December 12

After breakfast, check out and depart from The Milestone.

DETAILS

Accommodations

We’ll stay at The Milestone, a pampering five-star hotel in the heart of Kensington.

Due to the uniqueness and European charm of this hotel, double-occupancy rooms do not have two beds. Two sets of linens for one bed can be provided upon request.

If you are interested in extending your time in London or upgrading to a suite, please inquire by emailing events@southernladymagazine.com.

Travel to and from London

Guests are responsible for getting themselves to London and to The Milestone on Sunday, December 7, when the retreat commences with a welcome reception. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from The Milestone to the airport or next destination on Thursday, December 11.

The Southern Lady team is at your disposal to help you navigate travel. Email events@southernladymagazine.com for assistance.

Booking

Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due within 48 hours along with a signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment to secure your reservation. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due July 1, 2025. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in US dollars.

Costs

The price of the trip includes all hotel accommodations, some meals, some activities, and transfers to/from scheduled retreat activities. Single-occupancy, double-occupancy, and retreat participant plus travel companion rates are available.

Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of Southern Lady.

Cancellation

Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance.

If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might otherwise be covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to travel interruptions or COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners to plan and execute a safe retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel.

We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 18 participants have signed up by November 1, 2025. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If Southern Lady initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments.

Have a question about this retreat? Email events@southernladymagazine.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I extend my stay at the hotels?

If you’d like to inquire about additional nights in London, email events@southernladymagazine.com. Some guests like to book a room for the night before their arrival. We can make requests for early check-ins but cannot guarantee your room will be ready before the official hotel check-in time.

Is breakfast included?

Daily breakfast is included.

Are children able to attend this retreat?

All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this retreat.

What should I plan to wear during retreat events?

We suggest smart casual attire with comfortable walking shoes for most excursions, with dressy attire more fitting for select events. Retreat attendees will receive a complete itinerary that includes day-by-day guidance on apparel. Activities will proceed rain or shine.

If I book a double-occupancy package, will the hotel room have two beds?

Due to the uniqueness and European charm of this hotel, double-occupancy rooms do not have two beds. Two sets of linens for one bed can be provided upon request.

Will we have any free time?

You will have some free time in London and the Cotswolds to explore on your own. We will equip you with our list of favorite restaurants, shops, and activities.

Southern Lady Magazine