Special events and seasonal escapades at Whatley Manor

Whatley Manor (whatleymanor.com), the beautifully restored private manor house hotel set amidst 12 acres of Wiltshire countryside, has unveiled its latest seasonal events guide. The stylishly-designed Summer/Autumn Events Guide features a wide range of inspirational happenings taking place over the next few months – giving guests even more reasons for indulging themselves with a stay at this luxurious country hideaway.

Highlights for the season include a Fish Masterclass with Michelin-starred Head Chef Martin Burge on 8th September; a luxurious La Prairie event in Aquarias Spa on 8th October and a tempting Laurent Perrier champagne-tasting on 16th September. There are also details of Whatley Manor's fifth anniversary celebration package, August Bank Holiday, as well as Christmas and New Year. Guests opting for any of these cultural, practical or blissfully relaxing escapes will also get to experience the hotel’s elegant grounds at their seasonal best, with rose garden, manicured lawns and herbaceous borders simply brimming with colour and fragrant flowers.

Whatley Manor 5th Anniversary celebration during July and August
It’s hard to believe that Whatley Manor is already five years old. In celebration of its fifth anniversary, enjoy a five-night stay with the final night complimentary during July and August. The package includes full English breakfast, use of the award-winning spa facilities, a La Prairie amenity pack and a celebratory, leather-bound Ruinart Rosé coffret containing a half-bottle of Champagne alongside two elegant flute glasses. Rooms cost from £1,160 per stay (a saving of £290), based on a standard room for two .

August Bank Holiday weekend
There’s no better time to escape to the countryside for an indulgent and luxurious Bank Holiday weekend. With its award-winning Aquarias Spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and twelve acres of landscaped grounds filled with the colourful blooms of an English country garden, Whatley Manor is the ultimate place to get far from the madding crowd in total style. A three-night stay over the Bank Holiday weekend (arriving 21st, 22nd or 23rd August) costs from £870 per room. Rates include full English breakfast and use of the spa facilities.

English Country Gardens
The beauty of the gardens at Whatley Manor are an intrinsic aspect of the exceptionally relaxing experience, that the hotel has to offer. Savour the beauty of the hotel’s elegant grounds with a new two night package which includes a three course lunch on the Kitchen Garden Terrace followed by a tour of the gardens with one of the gardening team and tickets to visit the world famous Westonbirt Arboretum and the Malmesbury Abbey House Gardens, which are located close to the hotel. The two night stay costs from £506 per room based on a standard room for two.

Throughout the season there are also a number of local events taking place to add an extra dimension to a stay, including the WOMAD Festival at Charlton Park (25-27 July) and the Bampton Opera Company at Westonbirt (24-25 August). Those of a more equestrian bent will enjoy the St James’s Polo Day at nearby Beaufort Polo Club (26 July), while the nostalgic pull of Giffords Circus should satisfy everybody’s inner child (6-19 August, Minchinhampton Common).

Special Events at the hotel

Fish Masterclass with Head Chef Martin Burge – 8th September 2008
09:30 am – 5:00 £125 per person
From skilfully filleting a whole salmon to deftly preparing succulent shellfish, even the most challenging task will seem simple under the expert guidance of Michelin-starred Head Chef Martin Burge. This one-day cookery masterclass takes place in Whatley Manor’s kitchens and uncovers the secrets behind four versatile fish dishes. The experience costs £125 per person, to include a buffet lunch, refreshments throughout the day and a souvenir apron – plus participants will be able to take one of their creations with them to impress everyone at home! .

Laurant Perrier Champagne Dinner 16th September
7:00 for 7:30 start £118 per person
Whatley Manor continues its popular series of champagne-tasting events with a Laurent Perrier Champagne Dinner, hosted by the company’s UK Managing Director, David Hesketh who will introduce diners to the artisan attention to detail that is a hallmark of this esteemed Champagne house’s finest creations. Cost includes a four-course dinner with Champagne.

La Prairie Event 8th October
10:30 am to 5:30 pm £119 per person
On 8th October the La Prairie will be sharing the secrets of a radiant complexion with an indulgent day for spa-lovers to sample The Caviar Collection (La Prairie’s ultimate skincare range) and enjoy an insight into the company’s luxury portfolio of specialist treatments. The events costs £119 per person, to include a presentation, three-course lunch and glass of wine, use of the spa facilities, mini La Prairie treatments and a La Prairie goodie bag.

Garden Management - A Talk by David Howard Former Head Gardener at Highgrove House 21st October
10: 00 am – 4:00 pm £40 per person
On 21st October, David Howard – the former Head Gardener at Highgrove House will be giving a talk on gardening and estate management, including advice on the creation of a wildlife meadow and Barry Holman, Head Gardener at Whatley Manor will be giving a tour of the hotel gardens at the end of the day. The event costs £40 per person, including welcome refreshment, presentation and three course lunch.

Vignobles Comtes Von Neipperg Exclusive Wine Dinner 11th November
7:00 for 7:30 start £115 per person
To round off the wine tasting year on 11th November Whatley Manor will be welcoming Comtes Stephen von Neipperg to present his outstanding selection of wines from the Vignobles Comtes Von Neipperg wine collection - a must for Bordeaux wine lovers. Each Comtes von Neipperg estate produces a wine expressing a distinct terroir, although the basic philosophy behind its viticulture and the wine-making remains the same. An exquisite four course menu will be specially created by Martin Burge to complement the wines.

Sunday Cinema Screenings – last Sunday in every month
12-3pm and 5:30- 7:30pm £36 per person
The popular series of Sunday cinema screenings in the hotel's private 40-seater cinema continues on 28th September with a screening of ‘Caramel' followed by box office success 'Sex and the City' on 26th October. There are two showings for each film with the option to take lunch in Le Mazot from 12 noon with the first screening at 3pm or watch the second screening at 5.30pm followed by dinner. Please check at the time of booking for film start times as these may change depending on the length of the film. The screenings cost £36 per person to include the movie, plus a three-course meal, coffee and home made popcorn. Further film screenings in 2008 include ‘21’ on 30th November and to kick off the festive season ’The Holiday' will be screened on 14th December.

Pre Festive Dining at Whatley Manor from 1st - 24th December
Christmas celebrations start early at Whatley Manor with a seasonal three-course menu served in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Swiss style brasserie, Le Mazot from 1st December. Couples, small groups of friends, or larger Christmas parties can enjoy a deliciously festive lunch or dinner with menus costing £34 per person including coffee, Christmas biscuits and 10% discretionary service charge. A set menu will be served for parties of 17 and above.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Whatley Manor
Plans are already underway for an indulgent Cotswold Christmas at Whatley Manor and anyone tempted to escape to the country can join in the special three-night Christmas celebrations which costs from £1,990 per room or see in the New Year on a three-night New Year Celebration which costs from £1,900 per room, to include Champagne on arrival plus a whole range of festive dinners and treats, from live entertainment to films in the private cinema.

A one night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £290 for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the award winning spa Aquarias. For guests attending any of the events a special events rate of £185 per standard room is offered, subject to availability

For further information and to book visit Whatleymanor.com.