How to Structure a Winter Weekend at The Firs
How to Structure a Winter Weekend at The Firs
A summer stay here mostly organises itself — the grounds, the moat, the coast twenty-five minutes away. Winter needs slightly more shape, not because there's less to do, but because the day is shorter and the good parts are better with a bit of planning around them.
The short version
Wake up late. Get the stove going before you've properly got up. Do one outdoor thing while there's light. Be in the hot tub or the sauna by the time it gets dark, which in December is unhelpfully early — often before 4pm.
What to book ahead
The sauna, if you want it — it's popular in winter and worth booking your slot rather than hoping.
Extra logs for the wood-burning stove, if you're staying more than two nights — ask when you book rather than running low on the second evening.
A table at the Fox & Goose or the Low House if you want one proper dinner out — both get busy on winter weekends precisely because everyone's after the same cosy pub evening.
What to leave loose
Almost everything else. Whether you go outside at all on the second day. Whether the fire pit gets used or just the stove. Winter is the season where the least-planned days tend to be the best ones — there's real appeal in doing nothing but feed a fire and watch the light change.
The one thing that catches people out
Daylight. If you want to walk anywhere, do it before 3pm. The upside is that everything after dark — the hot tub, the sauna, the stove — is better for the early dark, not despite it.
FAQ
Is the moat usable in winter?
Yes, though it's cold enough that most guests treat it as a quick, bracing dip rather than a swim. Always with someone else there, never alone.
Do the hot tubs take longer to heat in winter?
A little — allow a bit more than the usual few hours' notice on the coldest days.
Is winter cheaper than summer?
Rates vary by date — check current availability for the specific dates you're considering.
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