Rural, romantic, seaside and Christmas breaks
Squeeze in a last-minute summer break, contemplate a cosy autumn retreat or celebrate Christmas at a Pride of Britain Hotel, a consortium of 44 privately-owned independent British hotels and spas, renowned for their superb hospitality.
The Pride of Britain Hotels website (prideofbritainhotels.com) provides a constantly updated list of late booking availability and special offers. The new Pride of Britain Hotels directory (2012, volume 2) has also just been published and includes new members Langshott Manor (Surrey) and The Dial House (Bourton-on-the-Water). Here are a few of the current breaks available:
Holiday at a Hampshire mansion – one night from £55 pp
Just under an hour from London, Tylney Hall Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion set in 66 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and a herb-filled vegetable garden. The hotel is currently offering a Summer Holiday Break for families from £55 pp (based on four sharing a family room - valid until 2 September) which includes a goody bag of games for children. The hotel is also offering three nights for the price of two (from £220 pp, two sharing). Both breaks include overnight accommodation, full English breakfast, use of the leisure facilities and a morning newspaper.
Thurlestone Hotel unveils its new spa – two nights from £200 pp
Family-owned since 1896, The Thurlestone nestles in one of South Devon’s prettiest stretches of coastline. Strolling distance from a sandy Blue Flag beach, the hotel is also just a short drive from Salcombe’s art galleries and boutiques. Newly opened is the chic and contemporary Voyage Spa which includes an indoor pool, laconium (dry heat room), hydrotherapy pool, fitness centre and an ocean-inspired treatment menu. A two-night winter break (November 2012 - March 2013) costs from £400 per room/£200 pp (two sharing) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
6,000 bees check in to The Devonshire Arms – two nights from £167.50 pp
Situated on the Duke of Devonshire's glorious Bolton Abbey Estate in the Yorkshire Dales, The Devonshire Arms has just moved 6,000 bees into a new hive in the hotel’s heavenly kitchen garden. Buzzing around the 30,000 acre estate, the bees will produce lime honey over the summer and heather honey from September, both of which will be used in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. A two-night stay costs from £335 per room/£167.50 pp (two sharing) including dinner, full English breakfast and use of the health barn’s spa facilities.
Master country pursuits, including horse riding, at Stapleford Park – two nights from £270 pp
If you live in a city, the chances are that you may never have had the chance to try traditional country pursuits such as falconry, arguably the oldest field sport in the world. At Stapleford Park you can enjoy a hands-on flying experience with Bernard, the resident European eagle owl, or Boo, the barn owl. Alternatively archery, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding can be arranged. For less adventurous guests, the hotel boasts the UK’s first-ever artificial clay tennis court. A two-night stay costs from £540 per room/£270 pp (two sharing) on a half-board basis including activities above (horse riding costs an additional £10 pp), use of the leisure/spa facilities, complimentary upgrade, late checkout and free Wi-Fi.
Escape to the North Wales coast – two nights from £275 pp
Bodysgallen Hall dates back to the 13th century and enjoys magnificent views of Conwy Castle and Snowdonia. The charming Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, with its sweeping sandy bay, is just two miles away. The hotel’s gardens and parkland span 200 acres and include a walled garden, several follies, a cascading rockery and a 17th century parterre with manicured hedging. A two-night ‘Escape to the Country’ break (valid until 31 October) costs from £550 per room/£275 pp (two sharing) including overnight accommodation, dinner and breakfast both days, full use of the spa and FREE admission into six nearby castles.
Christmas near Hadrian’s Wall – two nights from £380 pp
Let someone else do the work this Christmas and head to Eshott Hall in Northumberland for a romantic Christmas boutique hotel retreat, working off calories in the 55 acres of landscaped gardens. Arriving on Christmas Eve, the hotel’s Country House Christmas Experience includes a cream tea on arrival, evening dinner, a full Northumberland breakfast on both days, Christmas Day champagne and canapés, a four-course Christmas lunch, homemade Christmas cake and an evening buffet. The two-night Country House Christmas Experience break costs from £740 per room/£380 pp (two sharing).
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Pride of Britain Hotels is also the official hotel partner to the National Trust, with many of the hotels located near to one or more National Trust properties.
Prices correct at time of publication.