NEWS

The latest news from around both counties

PoB Hotels has recently launched as a collection of carefully curated rooms, the finest restaurants and spas and the most authentic regional experiences across the UK. Formerly known as Pride of Britain Hotels, the new PoB Hotels marks a shift towards an entirely new brand, personality and ethos under CEO Kalindi Juneja.

POB Hotels will encompass relaxed, modern luxury and continue to showcase a range of independent properties dotted around the UK which keeps inspiring guests to discover new hotel experiences that are Pampering, Outstanding and British. These include Whatley Manor hotel and spa (www.whatleymanor.com) and Lucknam Park Hotel, Spa, Estate (www.lucknampark.co.uk) in Wiltshire and Barnsley House (www.barnsleyhouse.com) and Ellenborough Park in Gloucestershire (www.ellenboroughpark.com).

New research commissioned by PoB Hotels from market intelligence firm AudienceNet, shows that more British customers intend to not only travel across the UK during 2023 but also stay longer at their chosen luxury hotel. Almost two-thirds of UK adults (63%) claimed that the appeal of taking a break in Britain as opposed to flying abroad had increased since the pandemic.

Furthermore, over one-third (35%) of all UK adults plan to stay at an upmarket, luxury or spa hotel within the British Isles, with 53% saying they would be more inclined to book a three-night stay within a British hotel, rather than a two-night stay. Two-thirds (66%) of UK adults claim they like to be very well looked after and pampered when staying in a British hotel. The importance of experiences, such as good food, better spa and well-being facilities was said to have increased for as much as 60% of the UK adult population when staying at a British hotel.

Kalindi Juneja, CEO of PoB Hotels, comments, “It’s an exciting new era for PoB Hotels as the evolution of our iconic British brand has already brought us new hotel members and is attracting new guests. Britons want to spend more time enjoying the incredible experiences on offer within the British Isles and we will be showcasing the finest privately-owned hotels, restaurants and spas available.“

In line with the new brand, PoB Hotels is launching a new website that is centred around the guest experience. Features include ‘The Handle’ which is PoB Hotels’ new online magazine, an intelligent search bar, and a mystery door for guests who want a surprise element to their next British holiday. PoB Hotels will relaunch all social media channels under the new name and the brand has also launched on TikTok to interest guests through creative content and videos.

The rebrand also unveils the PoB hotels gift vouchers that can be personalised and purchased as part of a luxurious gift pack including a reusable travel bag, a copy of The Directory book and a stylish gift wallet. For an instant gift, the voucher can be sent digitally presenting the perfect opportunity for guests to give the gift of luxury to their loved ones. Each gift voucher can be redeemed at any of the hotels across the British Isles. PoB Hotels will also launch The Collection, a coffee-table-style book that’s inspirational.

PoB Hotels is committed to responsible travel and the importance of sustainable practices across its hotels and has partnered with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification, and advisory group for travel and tourism to develop environmental good practices and certification for hotel members, and company-wide regenerative practices. Sue Williams, general manager of Whatley Manor has been elected their sustainability brand ambassador and guide, and PoB Hotels is aiming to have more members embark on becoming carbon responsible.

CEO Kalindi Juneja added: “Our existing guests will continue to see the familiar sense of our passion to serve. We have taken time to assess what our guests love about us so we can amplify that whilst also looking at what we can improve. The new PoBHotels look is clean, fresh, and more reflective of what the membership has evolved into.”

To find out more, visit www.pobhotels.com

The 10 Most Instagrammed Wedding Venues Are Revealed

With more than 278,000 UK weddings expected to take place this year, there’s no doubt that couples across the country are scrolling through Instagram in search of inspiration. With this in mind, Aura Print (https://aura-print.com) have discovered the 10 most Insta-worthy and beautiful wedding venues in the UK by searching Instagram to discover which venue was being talked about the most. Gloucestershire was a popular spot with Cripps Barn located in Cirencester at number three, Elmore Court situated in Gloucester at number five and Stone Barn in Cheltenham at number six.

Cripps Barn has 23,356 mentions on Instagram. This renovated barn from the 18th century is located in

Contemporary Treehouses Set To Open At Elmore Court

Elmore Court country estate in Gloucestershire will be open to holiday guests for the first time this year with designer accommodation on offer in six new high-end treehouses.

With countryside views, guests will have the opportunity to escape to a new space where refined meets rewild. Visitors will experience the comforts that people seek when on holiday whilst drawing in the flourishing flora and fauna of Elmore Court Estate’s nature recovery programme as it enters its third year.

The new accommodation project is on track with bookings open for stays from 24th May 2023 onwards, making Elmore one of the UK’s most exciting new staycation choices this year.

The treehouses are set in Park Covert Woods and their opening in late spring is perfectly timed for the first guests to enjoy carpets of bluebells and other wildflowers and countryside rambles.

Visitors are invited to explore the estate, which is just a short drive from the cathedral city of Gloucester, on recommended walks and learn more about the rewilding programme which started in 2020 when a portion of land was set aside, free from cultivation allowing it to flourish.

Each treehouse operates as a self-catering holiday let, is separate from its neighbours and accessed by private boardwalks and sizeable decks from which guests can enjoy the dramatic views across the wetlands and beyond.

Each uniquely crafted treehouse features an electric car charging point, fun zig-zagging boardwalk entrances through the woods, British cedar cladding with a corrugated roof, cork flooring and poplar ply walls. The clever design means they are maximally insulated as well as gaining energy from both the sun and occupants.

Other features include a modern brazier with a wood store on the seated decking and even an outdoor bath to soak up the incredible views. High spec outside kitchens with a hob, combi ovens, fridge and dining all under shelter optimise time spent al fresco. All treehouse the quintessential Cotswolds. With rustic-inspired weddings being a big trend, this venue offers a 150-person dining capacity, a state-of-the-art sound system and a beautiful setting. The team has also ensured that couples will have an amazing after-party with their late-night licence making the fun last even longer. To find out more, visit https://crippsandco.com

The fifth most Instagrammable wedding venue is Elmore Court with 21,205 mentions. This stately home was built around 1580 and showcases many different types of architecture throughout the mansion. Weddings can be enjoyed inside or out, with the aesthetics accommodated by the unique collection of styles found around the estate. To find out more, visit www.elmorecourt.com and read on, below, for the latest news about their new treehouse accommodation.

Stone Barn, part of the Cripps & Co group, is a traditional Cotswold barn home to roaring fires and an open kitchen. It can host up to 200 guests for an indoor or outdoor ceremony and for the wedding breakfast, and up to 250 people for the evening reception with a late-night license until 1 am.

To find out more, visit https://crippsandco.com/stone-barn dining areas have outdoor heating.

Inside there are bespoke super king-size wooden spindle beds built by Jamie Fraser, who is the owner, Anselm’s, cousin and bedding and mattresses from champions in sustainability, Naturalmat plus an indoor bathroom with shower.

The names for the treehouse are inspired by the South American medicine wheel (using British equivalent animals): Wren, Adder, Wild Cat, Sky, Earth and Kite. Sky is stair-free, and pram and wheelchair friendly.

The interior design sees another talented cousin of Anselm’s, Tracey Boyd, in charge. Tracey is a well-respected fashion and homewares designer with clients including Anthropologie. Each treehouse is different, using similar materials such as wood, metal and glass with Scandinavian sleek lines, accented by splashes of colour and textures.

Accommodation is flexible and suitable for couples, friends and families, sleeping two, three and four people. All treehouses have super king-size beds with a single trundle bed that slides out except Wren which has a super king-size bed with no trundle, sleeping two. The treehouses that sleep four guests have a day bed fitted into a snug next to the bedroom.

Whilst the treehouses are equipped for self-catering, guests can pre-order a range of food and drink items such as breakfast hampers, gourmet ready meals and wine, beers, soft drinks and even champagne directly from the estate kitchens.

Prices start from £290 per night in Wren; £340 per night in Adder, Wild Cat or Kite and £370 per night in Earth or Sky. The minimum stay is two nights. For reservations, visit www.elmorecourt.com/treehouses

Enjoy A Spring Fling In The Cotswolds With Finest Retreats

Stay in a spectacular converted Grade II listed building in the picturesque village of Painswick in Gloucestershire. Extensive renovation works by Parti Architects have turned the ARC Painswick property into a light-filled, luxurious haven with plenty of surprising design features. With nine bedrooms sleeping up to 24 guests, it’s perfect for a mini-moon. Arranged around a central courtyard featuring a swimming pool and a barbecue area complete with a pizza oven and firepit, there’s space to socialise. For cosy nights in, the luxuriously equipped kitchen with four ovens and a wine fridge is perfect for whipping up a feast, while the projector room and bar area invite guests to their very own movie night. To find out more and to book, visit www.finestretreats.co.uk

A picturesque wedding venue in the Cotswolds

Set in miles of Cotswolds countryside and more than 150 lakes, this hotel venue provides a stunning backdrop for any wedding day.

With lake views, delicious wedding breakfasts curated by an Executive Chef, luxury overnight accommodation and experienced Wedding Coordinators, you can be sure every detail is taken care of to create an unforgettable day.

Scientist Discovery Tours Offer Itinerary In Wiltshire

New Scientist Discovery Tours is inviting those wishing to travel back to ancient times with a selection of fascinating new tours and expeditions that explore some of the world’s most intriguing sites and delve into their scientific origins with one itinerary being in the Southwest, perfect for a mini-moon in the region.

The county of Wiltshire is home to some of the UK’s most fascinating and historically-valuable sites, and on the Prehistoric Southwest England tour, participants will visit a variety of National Trust, English Heritage and UNESCO-listed attractions including Stonehenge (pictured), Old Sarum, Avebury Circle and Maiden Castle. Trip highlights include:

 Insightful walking tours around several prehistoric sites

Cotswolds Hideaways Offer Weekend Activities

With the television documentary series Clarkson’s Farm back on our screens, one of the show’s most popular personalities is Gerald Cooper, the farms dry stone wall expert. Couples wanting to book an actionpacked honeymoon in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can now learn to make a drystone wall on some of the county’s most exclusive estates and remote sites with local partner Honeystone Training (https://honeystonetraining.co.uk). The course can be booked through the holiday cottage agency Cotswolds Hideaways which offers honeymoon-worthy accommodation (www.cotswoldshideaways.co.uk).

Guests will spend a full weekend in the glorious Gloucestershire countryside learning to build a dry stone wall from the foundation up, and leave having been guided through all the basics of traditional Cotswold dry stone walling. New dates have been added for 2023 that include the 20th to the 21st of May, the 24th to the 25th of June, the 22nd to the 23rd of July and the 9th to the 10th of September. For those staying with Cotswolds Hideaways, they receive a 10% discount on the £145 fee for attending the two-day course.

DID YOU KNOW...

That online searches have surged for staycations in the Cotswolds. The UK’s travel scene is booming and has been ever since the pandemic when holidaymakers had little choice but to travel within the UK. It seems that Britains are continuing to favour a staycation, the perfect pick for a honeymoon or a mini-moon rather than travelling abroad. It’s considerably more sustainable than hopping on a flight as more people are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and travel more responsibly. While others simply want a more affordable and convenient alternative, especially when travelling with children. From luxury nature retreats to beautiful beaches, some of the country’s most luxurious destinations

 UNESCO Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site

 Cerne Abbas with New Scientist’s Editor-in-Chief Emily Wilson

 Pre-eminent earthworks of Maiden Castle and Old Sarum

 Talks from the directors of the Salisbury and Wiltshire museums

Four nights’ accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis is included with four dinners inclusive of wine; two lunches; transfers and full touring itinerary as detailed on the website. Entry to all sites and attractions is also included along with a tour manager throughout the trip and free parking at the hotel.

Priced at £1,595 for five days from 4th September 2023. To find out more and to book, visit www.newscientist.com/tours/human-origins-england-stonehenge are right on the doorstep waiting to be explored - all without the inconvenience of flying.

Luxury cashmere brand N.Peal www.npeal.com) has revealed some of the best destinations in England and the beautiful Cotswolds is named as one of those where there are plenty of activities to enjoy, whether you’re travelling as a couple, with family or with friends. Covering an area of almost 800 square miles, this quintessentially English tourist haven is situated over five counties – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

To find out more, visit www.cotswolds.com

Bespoke Wedding Stationery

Bellapeach Creative create a full range of wedding stationery including, Save the dates, Invitations, RSVP cards, Song request cards, Table plans, Table names, Place names, Menu cards, Order of service and Order of the day boards!

Get in touch to book a free consultation Web: Bellapeach.co.uk

Email: Bellapeachcreative@hotmail.com Tel: 07900695661 Bellapeachcreative

It is a privilege to witness, observe, anticipate and capture the moments that convey love, emotion and happiness.

Works Of Art

Maryanne Stefanovic is the passionate baker behind the brand Cotswold Rustic Cakes based in Moreton-in-Marsh. She specialises in bespoke floral buttercream wedding and occasion cakes and draws her inspiration from nature and her beautiful Gloucestershire-based surroundings. She loves working with couples who have creative ideas about how they want their wedding cake to be and she welcomes moodboards, colour themes and ideas for the flowers.

Cotswold Rustic Cakes also offers taster boxes to couples who have booked their wedding cakes which helps them pick their flavours. These range from white chocolate and blackberry to sticky toffee sponge with salted caramel buttercream. These exceptional flavours are produced using seasonal produce sourced from the local Cotswolds and the fresh blooms used to decorate them are grown in the Cotswold Rustic Cake garden.

Maryanne’s two-tier designs feed up to 55 wedding guests and prices start from £335. For a wow-factor three-tier cake that feeds up to 95 people, prices start from £540 and for a statement four-tier centrepiece serving up to 120 guests, prices start from £660.

Your Glos & Wilts Wedding has teamed up with Cotswold Rustic Cakes to offer readers 5% off orders booked for wedding cakes over £500 and 5% off orders for celebration cakes over £75. To take advantage of this exclusive offer, visit https://cotswoldrusticcake.wixsite.com/cotswoldrusticcakes quoting YGWW38.