The Christmas TV adverts have arrived, shop windows are filled with festive displays and we have just four weekends left to prepare for the Big Day (where has the time gone!).
Katie and the team here at The Duke are busy adding the final festive touches, getting tangled up in fairy lights and tinsel and looking forward to seeing your faces this Christmas. If you’re looking for ideas to entertain yourselves (or the kids!), look no further for our quick re-cap on things going on in the lead up to Christmas.
“I love the festive season!” our pub manager, Katie exclaimed. “It’s the time of the year where everyone gets to enjoy family time and share happy memories. I love the build-up surrounding the season; Christmas drinks, yummy food and the sense of excitement, you feel like a kid again waiting for Christmas morning!”
Dates for your diary
Saturday 2nd December
Christmas is the time of giving, so maybe give something a little different this year by volunteering for the RSPB and helping them on their ‘Pull a Pine‘ day at Farnham Heath. It’s a great opportunity to help maintain your local nature reserve by aiding them in the removal of invasive young pine trees. As an added bonus you can also choose and cut down your own free Christmas tree straight from the heath! All you need to do is put on some stout shoes, wrap up warm and the head down for as much time as you can manage on the day. All help is greatly appreciated.
9th, 10th, 16th and 17th December
Santa and his little helpers are now busily preparing for their special Christmas event at the Rural Life Centre. This fantastic event for children is the key to making their childhood festive memories magical, with festive rides on the light railway, live animal encounters, toy workshops and of course a visit to the big man himself.
Sunday 10th December
Pay a visit to Farnham’s Christmas Market on Castle Street this year for a perfect festive family day out. Browse over 150 stalls of unique gifts, yummy treats and decorations, as well as enjoy seasonal treats such as roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, with a background of festive music and carol singing. With plenty of entertainment for the little ones, including the chance to meet Father Christmas and a live Nativity, this local event will ensure your whole family gets into the spirit.
Escape the Hustle and Bustle
Book a night or a weekend away at one of our two pubs, which offer beautiful and modern hotel accommodation. The Stag on the River, Eashing and The Red Lion, Odiham both offer Bed & Breakfast or Dinner, Bed & Breakfast packages, with rates starting from just £80 per room, per night. Make time for each other and book online or buy gift vouchers, which can be used at any of our pubs on food, drink or accommodation… The perfect treat for someone this Christmas.
Did you know…
The Duke opening hours will be slightly different over the Christmas period? Don’t get caught out, take a quick swizz at our opening times here. We do expect to be busier than usual, so if you do fancy popping in for a wintry G&T and some delicious fresh, local and seasonal grub we do recommend you book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Wintry walks and roaring fires
If you’re meeting up with family and friends for a catch up lunch over the festive season, don’t forget to put your wellie boots and a warm coat in the car before you leave home and squeeze in a good winter’s walk before (or after) you dine with us… you can definitely allow room for pud then! The Devil’s Jumps is just down the road from us and offers a pacing walk up three small hills, with a glorious view of the Surrey countryside once you’ve reached the peak… a truly great way to banish the cobwebs and increase the blood flow around the body.
Once you’ve worn yourself out, come and settle down by the fire with a delicious glass of our Winter Pimms or perhaps a frothy hot chocolate followed by a leisurely meal, showcasing fresh, local and seasonal food at its very best.
When we asked our Deputy Manager, Fran, what she loves most about the Christmas season, she replied:
“The thing I love the most about the festive season is most definitely being surrounded by family, going on wintry walks and playing games with good tasty food!”
First festive turkey dinner of the year
Not only do we have Daily Specials, which are our chefs’ opportunities to showcase their culinary flair with the freshest produce available that day, but you will see our seasonal menus change over the coming days as we turn to winter fare.
If you’re excited to enjoy your first turkey dinner of the year here with us, you won’t be disappointed. We source all our turkeys from a family-farming business in Essex that has been trading for over 30 years and are all UK Red Tractor and Free Range certified. The birds are reared in spacious open barns on the family farm, with low stocking densities, plenty of sunlight and are fed on a naturally balanced cereal-based diet, rich in oats, grown on the farms. Enjoy our festive menu (pre-bookings only) from just £22.95 for two courses.
“I love the atmosphere in the pub during the festive season, with decorations everywhere, hanging out with the family and cooking festive delights.” says our Chef, Jonny.
Did you know you can make a reservation up to 45 minutes prior to seating if you’re dining from our a la carte menu? What are you waiting for, we’ve got Christmas and New Year covered!