Christmas gift guide: the best experiences

The Ginstitute

Looking for a present for a juniper-loving gin fan? Nestled away above an 18th century public house at number 171 Portobello Road, gin fans can visit The Ginstitute for the ultimate gin-mersion experience, that culminates in making your own distillation.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a Portobello Road G&T with a twist of pink grapefruit, and then be escorted upstairs to learn about the history of gin. Then it's time to head to The Still Room where you will take part in a tutored tasting and create your own bespoke delicious gin.

Guests will leave with a full-size bottle of their own personal blend, the recipe for which will be kept on file for you to reorder as often as you need!

The three-hour session includes a bottle of your own blend, a bottle of Portobello Road Gin and four drinks to consume.

£110, theginstitute.com

VIP Couples Experience at Mandara Spa

A gift that both you and your partner will equally enjoy!

Share a memorable experience this Christmas at Mandara Spa, where couples can begin their three-hour stay with exclusive use of the VIP lounge followed by a couple's Balinese body massage and relaxing foot ritual, complete with a glass of bubbly and a selection of Champagne truffles. Free access to the facilities including the sauna, steam room and swimming pool are also on offer.

This relaxing, revitalising experience is held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London, where Mandara Spa also offers other packages for men, women, brides and pregnant women.

£240 per couple, mandaraspa.com/spa/London-Park-Plaza-Westminster-Bridge-London.aspx

Hogwarts in the snow

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Harry Potter fans can head down to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London where Hogwarts has been given its most magical Christmas makeover yet. Running until the end of January, film fans will have the opportunity to discover how special effects experts make snow that never melts, how set dressers transform locations for Christmas scenes, and how flames are created without fire.

The Great Hall will be beautifully dressed with festive decorations including wreaths, flaming Christmas puddings and trees complete with golden baubles.

£101 family ticket for two adults and two children, wbstudiotour.co.uk.

Stoke Park spa retreat

Looking for a spa in the heart of the English countryside? The five-star Stoke Park hotel is offering a Christmas Spa Gift Retreat voucher, beautifully wrapped up in a gorgeous gift box.

The retreat includes a 55-minute treatment, a nutritious lunch, full use of the tennis and health facilities plus a gift to take home with you. Treatments on offer include a Swedish massage, a rebalancing back treatment or a deluxe manicure or pedicure.

The hotel is located just 35 minutes from London and is also home to a 27-hole Championship golf course.

£105, stokepark.com/special-offers/christmas-spa-gift-retreat.html

Dimpsey Glamping

Andrew and Emma of Dimpsey Glamping, along with their family and animals, invite you to spend two nights or longer on their farm on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. The couple have set up sweet Shepherd's Huts that are designed and kitted out to feel like a luxury hotel, complete with a woodburner and firepit and snuggly beds.

From relaxing music to hearing the owls hoot at night and watching the animals during the day, they've totally got chill out covered.

£115 per night for two adults, dimpsey.co.uk/stay

Nadia Rae afternoon tea

Want to have afternoon tea in the comfort of your own home? Passionate baker and foodie Nadia Rae can deliver a gorgeous selection of home-baked delicacies, including finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, right to your door – leaving you free to enjoy the company of your guests and not have to worry about the cooking or preparation.

Your host will even provide you with elegant tableware to serve the food and fair trade teas, as well as give you a brief lesson in afternoon tea etiquette if you wish! And for those who don't fancy doing the washing-up, the option to hire a server is also available.

£35 per person for a classic afternoon tea package, nadiarae.co.uk

Hotel Chocolat chocolate-making class

In Hotel Chocolat's bean-to-bar experience, guests will learn how to make their own chocolate bar! After watching a demonstration over a glass of Prosecco, you'll be able to try your hand at making a bar using freshly roasted cocoa beans from Hotel Chocolat's cocoa estate in Saint Lucia. It'll be a delicious souvenir to take home, alongside a goody bag of more chocolates. Sessions take place at stores in Leeds, Cambridge and London's Covent Garden.

£65, hotelchocolat.com/uk/shop/collections/products/chocolate-tasting/bean-to-bar-experiences

Aqua Zorbing experience

Zorbing with a difference! If water slides don't quite have the thrill factor you're after, aqua Zorbing is for you. You and a loved one will climb into a ball filled with water, only to be pushed down a hill. Without harnesses to restrain you, you'll be completely free to slip and slide around the ball – a fun, safe and exhilarating ride! The activity takes place in Nottinghamshire and Berkshire and the ride downhill lasts one minute.

£69.99 for two, toxicfox.co.uk/aqua-zorbing-experience-for-2

Wright Brothers oyster masterclass

An alternative gift for a foodie, this 90-minute masterclass takes diners on a tasting experience with the Wright Brothers. Dispel those oyster myths, understand the health benefits of oysters and learn how incredible these tiny molluscs that outlived the Jurassic period really are.

Eat your way around the British Isles and France with six natural, three dressed and three cooked oysters, alongside a glass of bubbly on arrival and two glasses of wine throughout. Classes take place once a month at Spitalfields and Soho branches.

£60, thewrightbrothers.co.uk

Chapel Down vineyard and winery tour

Take a trip to one of England's leading winemaker and producers of beer and cider – Chapel Down, Kent. The deluxe experience includes a glass of Chapel Down fizz on arrival followed by a three-course set lunch with half a bottle of wine at The Swan restaurant.

Guests will then embark on a tour of the vineyard and winery and indulge in a wine tasting session, before leaving with a complimentary bottle of Chapel Down fizz and Artisan du Chocolat truffles to take home. Dates for 2016 vary.

£80, chapeldown.com/gift-experience

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ train ride

An experience that kids will love, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ train ride will bring to life the hit film and book by Chris Van Allsburg. Adults and children are encouraged to wear their pyjamas, just like in the book, as the story is read aloud during the journey accompanied by music from the movie to sing along to.

The festive spirit begins on arrival at the station, which is beautifully adorned with Christmas decorations and delicious hot food stands serving pulled pork and fresh burgers to tuck into. When the conductor calls his famous words "All Aboard!" the magical journey will commence.

During the ride, passengers will meet characters from the book including the train conductor and the mysterious hobo, who is rumoured to have boarded the train without a ticket. Once reaching the "North Pole", Santa will board the train with his elves to present all the children with a gift.

Departures from Dartmoor and Weardale to the "North Pole" run until 28 December.

Tickets start from £22 for adults, UKPolarExpressRide.com

Flying lesson

Ever felt the urge to take to the skies? In this 30-minute flying lesson, you'll learn how to take the controls yourself under the guidance of a skilled instructor.

The session will begin with a pre-flight briefing and then you'll be taken on a 'walk round' to see the main control surfaces of the aircraft. Your instructor will take off and then demonstrate some basic manoeuvres. Then it's your turn! No previous flying experience is needed, you just need to be older than 16, or accompanied by an adult if not.

£119, gettingpersonal.co.uk/gifts/flying-lesson-experience-day.htm

White water rafting with Olympian Tim Baillie

When do you ever get a chance to go white water rafting with an Olympian? Adrenaline junkies and sporting fans will lap up this white-knuckle ride with GB gold medallist Tim Baillie.

Guests will traverse the Olympic rafting course at Lee Valley, where, after a safety briefing and swimming practice, you'll be raft-bound and bolting down the course – once with Tim and two other times unaccompanied. Back on dry land, there'll be a buffet on hand to replenish your energy levels.

£175, virginexperiencedays.co.uk