The Cotswolds Christmas Huddle at Thornbury Castle

The Cotswolds Huddle in December has always been a bit of an event, but never more so than this year as we Huddled at Thornbury Castle… it was the most magical of events.

The hotel was decorated with enchanting Christmas decorations, creating a festive atmosphere which everyone enjoyed and remarked upon. As we arrived, we were greeted with the sounds of Christmas carols and the unmistakable aroma of mulled wine… this was going to be a good one!

That’s how you Huddle

The event lasted just over 2 hours, as all good Huddles do, and alongside the excellent networking opportunities, laughs, chats, and giggles, we enjoyed a delicious festive afternoon tea. Thornbury Castle’s team of superstars provided their usual standard of impeccable service, ensuring that every detail was attended to. The afternoon tea was a particular highlight, featuring scrummy finger sandwiches, scones, mince pies, and the prettiest Christmas cakes.

A king, a queen, and a couple of ghosts

The Thornbury Castle team added an extra layer of magic to our festive gathering by organising captivating tours of the historic castle. In groups of 6-8, we were led through the castle’s grand halls, royal chambers (Henry VIII stayed here with his second wife, Queen Anne Boleyn) and wonderful gardens and told the fascinating tales of the castle’s rich history, from royal intrigue to ghostly encounters.

Cotswolds Huddle Shopping

This Huddle saw the introduction of our brand new Cotswolds Huddle Shopping. Vinotopia and Hentony Gin brought along a selection of their finest products, offering all of us the chance to sample and purchase a variety of drinks. Andy from Vinotopia impressed guests with his diverse range of wines, vodka, fizz, rum, and even moonshine, while Aga from Hentony Gin shared the story behind their handcrafted gin and offered samples of their delicious spirit.

Cotswolds Huddle Shopping ∙ Going forward, our Huddles will see some of our members who have products to sell, showcase, samples, and sell their wares.

See you in January for the first Huddle of 2025

The Cotswolds Huddle at Thornbury Castle was a resounding success, bringing together a vibrant community of business professionals.

We’re already looking forward to our next event, which will be on Tuesday 7 January at beautiful Buckland Manor in Broadway… and I hope to see you there. Mette x