Director
August 13, 2026
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Director
Christmas dinner is one of those occasions where the setting matters almost as much as the food itself. It needs to feel festive without being overdone, comfortable enough for a long, unhurried meal, and welcoming enough that everyone — from young children to older relatives — feels properly looked after. For families and groups around Cheltenham searching for somewhere to host Christmas dinner this year, Oakwood Hotel offers exactly that combination.
Set just outside Gloucester in Twigworth on the Tewkesbury Road, Oakwood is a short, easy drive from Cheltenham, offering a genuine change of scene from a busy town-centre restaurant while still being simple to reach for the whole family.
Christmas dinner asks a lot of a venue. The meal itself tends to run longer than a typical lunch or dinner, groups are often larger than usual as extended family comes together, and there’s an expectation that both the food and the setting will feel properly festive. Oakwood’s spaces are built to handle exactly this.
The Grill offers a refined setting for a traditional Christmas dinner, built around quality Gloucestershire produce and a menu designed to feel like a proper festive occasion rather than a standard set meal. For families who prefer something a little more relaxed, The Pub provides a warmer, informal alternative — well suited to groups who want the traditions of Christmas dinner without quite so much formality.
A few details tend to separate a genuinely good Christmas dinner venue from an average one, particularly at the busiest time of the year:
Proper space for larger groups. Christmas dinner often brings together extended family, so a venue needs to seat larger tables comfortably, without guests feeling squeezed in.
A menu that feels festive, not generic. Traditional Christmas dinner staples, prepared with genuine care rather than mass-produced ahead of time, make a noticeable difference to the meal.
Options for different tastes. Not every guest wants the same thing, particularly with children or relatives with specific dietary needs at the table, so flexibility in the menu matters.
A relaxed, unhurried pace. Christmas dinner isn’t a meal to be rushed. A good venue allows the day to unfold at its own pace rather than pushing tables through on a tight turnaround.
Easy access for the whole family. Straightforward parking and easy access matter more at Christmas, when groups often include very young children or older relatives who need a bit more time and space.
Because Christmas is one of the busiest periods of the year for any hospitality venue, early booking is particularly important. Oakwood’s team works with families and groups ahead of the day to confirm numbers, discuss any dietary requirements, and make sure the table and menu are ready to suit the size and preferences of the group.
For families travelling from further afield to join relatives in the Cheltenham area over the festive period, rooms are available on-site — a practical option that avoids a long drive home after a full Christmas dinner, particularly useful when the day includes both lunch and an evening extension of the celebrations.
Beyond the meal itself, what tends to make Christmas dinner memorable is the atmosphere around it — enough space to relax, food that feels properly prepared rather than rushed, and a setting that takes the pressure off hosting at home. Oakwood’s team aims to handle the details so that families can simply enjoy the day together.
Oakwood Hotel is located on Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth, Gloucester, roughly 20–25 minutes’ drive from central Cheltenham. On-site parking is available, making it a straightforward journey for families and groups travelling from Cheltenham and the surrounding area over the festive period.
Oakwood Hotel is located in Twigworth, Gloucester, approximately 20–25 minutes’ drive from central Cheltenham, making it an accessible option for families travelling from the town and nearby areas.
Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for the venue, so booking well in advance — ideally several weeks or more ahead of the date — is strongly recommended to secure a preferred time and table size.
Yes, spaces such as The Grill and The Pub can be arranged to suit larger family bookings, ensuring extended relatives can be seated together comfortably.
Yes, the kitchen can accommodate a range of dietary needs when informed in advance, ensuring every guest at the table is properly catered for.
Yes, The Pub offers a warmer, less formal setting for families who want a relaxed Christmas meal rather than a fully traditional sit-down dinner.
Yes, on-site parking is available, making it convenient for families of all ages travelling to Oakwood Hotel over the festive period.
Yes, Oakwood Hotel offers on-site rooms, which can be a useful option for family travelling a longer distance who would prefer not to drive home after a full day of celebrations.
Yes, the venue’s flexible spaces suit a range of group types, including gatherings of friends or colleagues celebrating the festive season together.
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