West Country Christmas Gift Guide

Are you already stewing over this year’s Christmas present list, racking your brains and endlessly searching for original gift ideas that will add a little sparkle to the festivities?

Let Toad Hall Cottages help lighten the load with our very own handpicked selection of West Country gifts. From winter-warming tipples and tempting Yuletide fayre, to luxury treats and handcrafted wares, come and have a gander at our South West-inspired Christmas gift guide…

Since the opening of its boat house distillery in 2016, Salcombe Gin has gone from strength to strength, winning a flurry of awards along the way. This Christmas, why not treat your loved one to a bottle of Salcombe’s finest; handcrafted gins that have been fastidiously cultivated to satisfy the most discerning of palates. Pay a visit to the online Distillery Shop for some exquisite gift ideas or book a place at the prestigious Gin School and share a Salcombe Gin experience with someone special.

Why not get a little hot under the collar this Christmas and pepper your stockings with a few treats from South Devon Chilli Farm. Tucked away in the rolling South Devon hills near the bustling market town of Kingsbridge, this thriving enterprise has been cooking up a storm. Pick something out from its ample larder full of delicious homemade recipes; from its legendary chilli chocolate to its delicious chilli sauces and preserves, you’re sure to find something magic to help tickle those taste buds during this year’s Christmas festivities.

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Chilli growing with a hint of Christmas

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Flying the flag for scrumptious artisan confectionary since 1964, Buttermilk is a family business that hails from Padstow, where it lovingly handcrafts fudge, honeycombe, nut brittles and chocolates from its sweet-smelling Cornish kitchens. With more than sixty flavours to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect stocking filler amongst Buttermilk’s delectable stocks and shelves.

Dorset’s Langham Estate is home to one of Europe’s most celebrated vineyards. If you’re looking to buy a present for a wine enthusiast, look no further than the Langham wine cellar and its single, double and triple gift sets. Langham wines are cultivated solely from the classical Champagne varieties Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier – grapes grown only on its Dorset vineyard. What a corker!

The St Eval Candle Company have been lovingly handcrafting exquisite candles from their family farm house kitchen in North Cornwall for more than a quarter of a century. Working ardently to keep these ancient crafts and time-honoured traditions alive, the artisans of St Eval are constant in their quest for inspirational fragrances. Their latest collection, ‘Garden of Eden’, is inspired by the healing powers of plants and includes beautiful leaf pattern pots dressed by subtle hues. Melt someone’s heart this Christmas with the gift of a St Eval candle.

 

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Made entirely from the milk of grass-grazed cows and distilled in the rolling hills of Dorset, the silky smooth and creamy character of Black Cow Vodka continues to wow all those who tipple it. This stylish liquor would make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys a jolly old Christmas quaffing. Take a look at the collection of limited edition Black Cow merchandise, vodka and cheese, now on offer for the festive season. All udderly delicious!

Wrap someone up warm this Christmas with a gorgeous throw from Atlantic Blankets; a Cornish family-owned business set by the sea. Woven with luxury fibres, the Atlantic Blankets collections have been lovingly designed for all seasons; from snuggly baby travel blankets to soft but hardy picnic blankets, these inviting and comforting weaves will help ‘spread’ some Christmas cheer.

 

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How about giving a loved one a real taste of the West Country with the help of Devon Hampers. This thriving family-run business in West Devon has a hamper for every occasion; from sumptuous cream teas to divine delicacies perfect for a festive shindig; all of them packed full with the finest Devonshire produce. Christmas shopping is a picnic when you choose a Devon Hamper.

Book a lovely Sunday lunch or delightful afternoon tea aboard the exclusive South Devon Railway restaurant car, as it gently chugs through the gorgeous Dart Valley between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. This multi-awarding winning steam railway is one of the UK’s premier all-weather attractions, and we reckon you’re loved ones would be ‘chuffed’ to bits with a gift experience such as this.

This Christmas, share your fondness for your favourite West Country setting with a vintage seaside poster from Becky Bettesworth. These vivid and colourful prints help showcase the simple and joyous nature of the South West with a selection of scenes inspired by coastal towns, villages and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From the sailing boats of Dartmouth Harbour to the golden cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, artist Becky has captured them in her own unique and charming way.

 

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Christmas provides the ideal opportunity to kit out your surf dudes in preparation for their return to the West Country’s golden shores. Based in South Devon, not far from the sparkling breaks of Bantham Beach, Trioceansurf is a one-stop shop for all your watersports needs; from the latest stand up paddle boards to radical surf and bodyboards, why not have a bodacious Yuletide and get set for your next coastal adventure. We give Trioceansurf a hang-ten outta ten!

This one’s for all those adventurers out there and comes courtesy of the largest provider of outdoor pursuits in the Hampshire New Forest. New Forest Activities is a merry band of adventure sports experts offering fun and enlightening experiences on both land and water. If you’ve been on the lookout for a gift experience for your intrepid loved-ones, a New Forest Activates gift voucher could be just the ticket.

 

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Rich in natural fragrances and handcrafted from real botanical ingredients, The Clovelly Soap Company’s range of natural soaps and body care products maintain a deep-rooted connection to the historic Clovelly Estate in North Devon, home to this thriving family business. Clovelly’s recipes are all inspired by nature and the uplifting and harmonious aromas of the great outdoors. This Christmas, why not treat your special someone to a sweet-scented surprise.

Add a touch of the West Country to Christmas, a taste of what’s in store when you book a stay with Toad Hall Cottages.