Notley Farm, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, Nr. Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 9ER

Tel & Fax: 01844 201226 , Email Denise

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly” goes the old Christmas song, It could have been penned with Notley Tythe Barn in mind. Its beam-raftered roof, its magnificent whitewashed hall and its minstrel’s gallery seem to echo with the memories and sounds, and to hint at the fragrances of countless Yuletides past. Is that burning pine cones you can smell? No, but your imagination seems fired by the hearth that blazed and flickered centuries ago. The place simply cries out to be decked, swathed, festooned and swagged not just with holly but with every other kind of wintry decoration.

As well as the lamb, the Christmas Menu also serves traditional roast turkey, crispy sea bass and spinach and ricotta filo parcels. For desserts there are delicious Christmas puddings steaming hot bramley apple and raspberry pies and decadent chocolate fondants. Peter’s generosity of culinary spirit extends to the portions too. The food, a beautifully cooked marriage of elegance and earthiness is served in portions befitting a winter’s banquet.

The Barn can comfortably seat up to 140 – the tables take ten people each – while an integral marquee can accommodate another 60 “We’ve set aside Fridays and Saturdays in December for our exclusive nights which means a minimum of 75 guests” says Denise. “But there’s absolutely no reason, indeed there are plenty of good ones, why two or three smaller parties shouldn’t band together to share the facilities”.

The doors of the barn open directly out onto the garden which reaches out toward the hills in the distance for anyone who wants to spot the first snowflakes of the year.

So to revel in a party with flair and dash and gusto and all things else that make Christmases memorable why not book a do at Notley this year? Remember “Tis the season to be jolly”.