From the prettiest parts of the estate to Christmas Day traditions and top-secret family recipes, owner Emma Deeley shares all her favourite festive memories from the farm.
by Jade Beer.
Past & Present
‘Over the years the barn has played a big part in our family Christmas. When the children were younger, I would organise a charity Christmas gathering for the village, Father Christmas would visit, and Absolute Taste would make lots of mince pies. There would be a brass band and carol singers too. It’s the thing I remember most about Tythe Christmas past.
When Will’s parents lived in the farmhouse we would open presents at home with the children and then arrive there in the morning along with all of Will’s brother’s and their children. We’d have breakfast and champagne together, more present opening in what is now the court room, and the dining table would be in what is now the cellar bedroom. Ordinarily we would eat in the kitchen, so this always felt more special.
As for now, the winter branches are something we only ever put up at Christmas. We start around mid-November. As soon as all the leaves have dropped, Will and some of the guys will go off around the fields and collect the branches. Then they create an archway with them that runs the entire length of the barn ceiling, with each branch wrapped in fairy lights. If you’re marrying here at this time of year, you really don’t need to add anything else. They stay up until mid-January and create a real centrepiece.
On the mezzanine area above the bar, we also have two Christmas trees that are staggered behind each other, so it looks like one enormous tree.
A magical setting
At this time of year, just outside the barn we have the pergola which is covered in festoon lights with our two wood burners either side. Walking through it, away from the barn and then emerging to the beautiful view of the farmhouse is a real take-your-breath-away moment for me. Inside we have a big tree up in the farmhouse kitchen, we’ve decorated the fireplace in the lounge and put florals up the stairs with greenery and lights. We’ve made an extra special effort this year as we have a wedding on NYE.
The legendary Tythe Christmas party
The staff Christmas party is always a bit quirky. In 2022 we had a murder mystery dinner when Brandon transformed into a Scottish gamekeeper – he had the perfect accent, remaining in character all night which was great fun and last year it was clay pigeon shooting for the afternoon and then dinner. Somehow, I’ve got to top that, but I enjoy doing it and giving it a lot of thought because it isn’t that often that we can all come together. I’ve got a few things up my sleeve for this year that I think everyone will enjoy.
It’s hard to beat a winter wedding
Winter weddings have become much more popular at Tythe since we began in 1998. In fact, December is one of the very first months to get booked up. I am an absolute sucker for good lighting and that has really evolved in the barn over the years. I’m always buying another chandelier or ordering more fairy lights. A room comes to life with good lighting and in winter the barn looks magical, filled with candlelight, outside all the paths are lit too, plus open fires and wood burners and tealights in some of the nooks in our stone walls. It’s such a cosy warm vibe. For some couples a winter wedding takes the guesswork out of the weather – you know what you’re getting, unlike the summer most years. People love warm mulled wine or hot chocolate laced with something stronger later in the evening. We’ve had couples look around in November looking for a July wedding date and then swap to winter. You can still use all the outside space. We think of it as another room for our couples that we absolutely utilise. We need to be on top of that because in the summer, there is no guarantee of warm weather either and we want to deliver the vision that our couples have for their day.
Modern traditions
I still love a traditional family Christmas even though the children are a bit older now and both boys are at university. Florence is still only 13 so she still gets up early – and we’ll pull the boys out of bed by 7am too and open presents together by the fire. Then we will meet up with Will’s family and mine, probably for breakfast with bubbles, of course. We usually head off to church for the morning service before the big Christmas lunch. Our numbers are large so Christmas day tends to be for local family and then on Boxing Day from around 2pm I invite everyone to ours which can total around 25-30 of us. I make a giant pheasant curry with gin that is Will’s great grandmother’s recipe – and therefore shrouded in secrecy. Isaac will be on cocktail making; Stan will be our DJ and Florence will be on the karaoke mic. I have learned to delegate!
Quick-fire Christmas Questions
Favourite Christmas tipple?
A Baileys or a sherry. My mum worked for Harvey’s Bristol Cream, so I grew up on sherry!
Best present you ever received?
I know I should say something sentimental but it’s the Dyson Air Wrap. I’ve got very difficult hair, and it’s made the world of difference.
And given?
I’m keen on arts and crafts and I’ve recently got an engraving tool so this year everyone will be getting something that’s personalised.
Big bracing walk or boozy lunch?
Both! I love a big walk with the dogs Reg and Pip and then back for dinner with plenty of red wine.
Spout lover or hater?
Yes! I love sprouts. We are a family who eats sprouts!
Favourite Christmas song?
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas.
Favourite Christmas Movie?
Love, Actually.
Favourite Board Game?
Perudo or Linkee
Up all night or early to bed on NYE?
If I do go out on NYE, then I would probably be out-out. However, this year my mum finally has a date through for her hip operation and its NYE, so I’ll be with her – probably on the sherry again!’
