Dates for the Diary What to do, where to stay
The Guest Book This month’s top picks
2017 Edition 15
Step inside
Taplow House Hotel & Restaurant
Feast & Feathers: Escape for St George’s Day
London & Liverpool: Your race day accommodation
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6 12 20 CONTENTS
4 5 6 8 9 10
The Guest Book
Dates for the Diary
Taplow House Hotel & Restaurant Infotel Business Dolphin Hotel Homewood Park Hotel & Spa
11 12 16 17 18 19
Aubrey Park Hotel Feast & Feathers Bridgemary Manor
Haveli Hotel Under Starter’s Orders The London Line Up!
20 22 23 24 26
A Postcard from Norwich Top Picks in Norwich New Inn Infotel Offers
Castle Collection Group
3
Infotel Partner properties ready to welcome you
Horse & Jockey Inn Powys
Churchills Hotel & Restaurant East Sussex
Niko’s Wine Bar @ Cross Villa B&B
Home Farm Hotel
Littlebeck Warren
Golden Hill Guest House
Devon
Pembrokeshire
Cumbria
Old Golf House Hotel West Yorkshire
4
Gables Hotel
Dumfries & Galloway
Co Tyrone
Vincent House London Residence Notting Hill
Purdy Lodge Northumberland
DATES FOR THE DIARY
APRIL 2017
What’s On? When?
Easter Trail in the Royal Botanic Garden 1 – 17 April Edinburgh >>
Bath Comedy Festival 1 - 17 April Bath >>
The Spring Flower Show 2017 20 - 23 April Harrogate >>
Where? Harlem
Globetrotters 2017 World Tour 15 April Brighton >>
St George’s Day Feast in Trafalgar Square 23 April London >>
Who?
Stratford-upon-Avon Literacy Festival Cheltenham 23 - 30 April Stratford-upon-Avon >> Jazz Festival 26 April - 1 May Cheltenham >> Tour de Yorkshire 28 - 30 April Yorkshire >> Food and Folk Festival 29 April - 1 May Chichester >>
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FEATURE
Taplow House Hotel & Restaurant Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 0DA
£125 01775 843413
From
“The staff made us feel so welcome, nothing was too much trouble. Superb! Cannot wait to return!” Taken from a Trip Advisor review
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
A stunning Georgian country hotel set in six acres of beautiful gardens and nestled on the border between Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, with central London just 40 minutes away, 25 minutes from Heathrow Airport and only ten minutes from the historic town of Windsor. The collection of 32 individually designed bedrooms and suites are well appointed, with luxury bedding and plush soft furnishing, well stocked hospitality trays and complimentary WiFi. Dining is in Berry’s Restaurant and Terrace where a frequently changing menu of the finest quality, locally sourced ingredients, creates a mouth-watering menu. Start the evening with a cocktail and finish with a cognac on the south facing terrace, or Berry’s Bar in the winter months, with its impressive fireplace, it’s perfect for watching the flames flicker over a night cap from the classic selection of malts and fine spirits.
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50 Spaces On-site
Free WiFi Restaurant
Bar
Air Weddings/ CCTV/24hr Reception Conditioning Parties
Park & Fly
Check In 3.00pm
Check Out 10.00am
FEATURE
Calvin Mallows learnt his foundation skills in a pub in Swindon, and now, with nine years experience under his hat, he’s Head Chef at Taplow House Hotel & Restaurant. Here, he shares some of his kitchen ethos with us: “One of the best parts of being a chef is the camaraderie in the kitchen with your team. Every day we have to ensure the kitchen runs smoothly, and despite the occasional pressure which comes with the job, we always manage to have some banter and a great laugh. One of the biggest challenges is probably making sure a menu for a special occasion or corporate event is completely suitable and based exactly on what the customer requires. It has to be special and bespoke to them. Guests can really get to enjoy a fine dining experience here. I can’t categorise what the menu would be, that’s too specific and limiting for the type of food I prepare. Let’s just say it’s purely me preparing what I love, and hopefully expressing myself through my food.”
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01775 841184
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
FEATURE
Dolphin Hotel
“Nice size rooms, good view, excellent service, great food. What more would you want?”
St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5EP
Taken from a Trip Advisor review
£85 01775 843413
From
£150
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sitting on the banks of the Great Ouse, in the picturesque town of St. Ives in Cambridgeshire, the Dolphin Hotel enjoys stunning views of the historic 15th Century bridge and surrounding meadows. The hotel offers 67 en-suite bedrooms, spacious and generously furnished, and with Freeview TV, free WiFi and tea and coffee making facilities. Executive rooms and two bridal suites are also available. Two bars, one on the terrace overlooking the river, a large restaurant serving a combination of local produce and more exotic dishes, plus a fitness suite and on-site parking for 300, make the Dolphin Hotel a popular choice with business and leisure bookers, and is conveniently located for Cambridge and Peterborough, being 25-30 minutes away.
300 Spaces On-site
Free WiFi Restaurant
Bar
Weddings/ CCTV/24hr Reception Parties
Fitness Centre
Fishing
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
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FEATURE
Homewood Park Hotel & Spa Bath, Somerset BA2 7TB
£190 01775 843413
From “Beautifully decorated with private spa access. The food from the hotel restaurant was amazing.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
This Georgian country retreat offers peaceful seclusion, award-winning cuisine and luxurious relaxation, all amid parkland and gorgeous gardens, conveniently close to Bath. Antique paintings, exposed wood floors and log fires blend with modern fabrics and chic designs. The 21 luxurious bedrooms and suites are available in the original house with two garden suites located in the award-winning grounds. En-suite or wet room facilities, with twin, double or king size beds form the classic cosy double bedrooms, with the spacious deluxe rooms offering stylish kings or four poster beds. Junior suites include state-of-the-art bathrooms featuring roll tops baths and walk-in showers.
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The Spa is set within its very own famous gardens, surrounded by an original garden wall. It includes a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and heated outside swimming pool with fabulous views. The restaurant is famed for its award-winning food and relaxing and intimate atmosphere. A seasonal menu, using produce at its peak and sourced locally where possible, serves an a la carte menu, afternoon tea, lunches and either continental or full breakfast.
50 Spaces On-site
Restaurant
Bar
24hr Outdoor Reception Pool & Spa
Check In 2.30pm
Check Out 11.00am
FEATURE
Aubrey Park Hotel
“Nicely appointed rooms with large walk-in shower and toiletries supplied.”
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire AL3 7AF
Taken from a Trip Advisor review
£89 01775 843413
From
£114
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Set in nine acres of rolling English countryside with historical walking trails, this independent hotel provides contemporary, classic accommodation with big welcoming beds, soft duvets, fresh white linen, flat screen TVs and free WiFi. The award-winning Brasserie serves great seasonal food, often sourced locally in Hertfordshire, from a varied menu offering a la carte dining, lazy lunches, late morning snacks and afternoon teas. Beauty treatment rooms offer a range of massages and treatments plus additional spa facilities can be accessed at a partner hotel. Guests can enjoy complimentary guest passes to a local gym, just a ten minute drive away, and the hotel has solid relationships with other local suppliers for golf and Range Rover driving.
300 Spaces On-site
Free WiFi Restaurant
Bar
Weddings/ CCTV/24hr Reception Parties
Park & Fly
Air Check In Condtioning 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00pm
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FEAST & FEATHERS
Get the bunting out, wear a red rose and celebrate the feast day of St George on Sunday 23 April! Whether you opt for a traditional afternoon tea, prefer a pint and a ploughman’s or a super Sunday roast with all the trimmings, we have a classic collection of traditional English accommodation to keep you safe and secure from dragons!
Where: Rosehill House Hotel in Burnley, Lancashire, was built in 1856 by a wealthy cotton mill owner and has had several changes of ownership, including the mayor of Burnley and the Home Guard during WWII. Why: many of the elaborate architectural features remain, including an ornate ceiling installed by Italian craftsmen in the 1800s, stained glass windows, marble fireplaces and gold leaf ceilings.
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Feast on: the farmhouse or seafood sharing platters with a side of triple cooked chunky chips! Underneath the feathers: individually designed bedrooms, each with its own character, fine antiques and exquisite soft furnishings combine with modern day facilities to create a captivating stay.
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FEAST & FEATHERS
Where: a former coaching inn, The George Hotel & Brasserie in Buckden has been brought up to date without losing any of its heritage. It’s also nicely located for Cambridge, Huntington and Peterborough.
Feast on: roast sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and red wine jus before indulging in chocolate and peanut butter mousse pie with vanilla ice cream.
Why: excellent connections with local suppliers for fresh produce; Days of Buckden is an established butchers, delicatessen and farm shop, the Marr family have been fishing for five generations and deliver daily, and Little Common Farm Preserves provide award-winning jams and marmalades made from seasonal fruits, often grown on their farm.
Underneath the feathers: twelve beautifully designed bedrooms all characterised after their namesake of a famous George… Best, Bernard Shaw, Orwell, Harrison, Washington… which George will be yours?
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FEAST & FEATHERS
Where: The Rose and Crown Hotel in Salisbury is a beautiful 13th Century former coaching inn on the banks for the River Avon offering superb views over the water meadows and towards the famous Cathedral. Why: perfectly located for adventure a little further afield in Stonehenge, the New Forest, Longleat and Bath.
Feast on:  pork, apple and sage sausages with mash and onion gravy and finish with apple and cinnamon pie with custard! Underneath the feathers: chose either a guest room in the original building, with oak beams and panelling, or check into one of the Garden Wing Executive Rooms for direct access to the gardens and riverside, plus a private patio area for al fresco dining or simply enjoying the setting of the sun.
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14
FEAST & FEATHERS
Where: originally a brew house, skittle alley and stables, The St George and Dragon now provides a handy base for exploring Dartmoor National Park and the unspoilt beaches of two coastlines. Why: nestled in the pretty village of Clyst St George near Topsham, the lodge is surrounded by farms and historic buildings, including medieval Powderham Castle. Nature fans will love the acres of ancient moorland and the National Trust’s huge Killerton House Estate, which are both just a short distance away.
FEAST & FEATHERS
Feast on: seasonally inspired pub-food and well-kept cask ales served with a generous helping of good old-fashioned hospitality! Underneath the feathers: a classic country inn stay with character accommodation and modern day comforts in a choice of 21 relaxing rooms.
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<< Find your traditional stay 15
FEATURE
Bridgemary Manor Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0JY
£62 01775 843413
From
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
A small, family run hotel close to Fareham, Gosport and only 15 minutes from Portsmouth Ferry Port, with 12 en-suite rooms, from single to family rooms, and with tea and coffee making facilities and free WiFi. The bar and dining area are open seven days a week to guests and non-residents, serving home-cooked food and a selection of ales, lagers, freshly ground coffee and tea.
“Based on location, food and value for money, I would book again.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review
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25 Spaces On-site
Free WiFi Restaurant/ Catering
Bar
24hr CCTV
Private Parties
Golf Nearby
Live Music
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
FEATURE
Haveli Hotel
Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan CF72 9EW
£55 01775 843413
From
£65
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Haveli Hotel is a modern hotel situated in the heart of the business park of Pontyclun, 10 minutes from Cardiff, 15 minutes from Swansea and within easy access of the M4. Recently refurbished en-suite guest rooms offer family sized rooms, luxury suites and single and double rooms, some with balconies and large living spaces, with up to date facilities, including flat screen TVs, WiFi and tea and coffee making facilities. A secluded lounge area or an alternative lounge
showing Sky Sports and ESPN live sports are available. The newly designed restaurant serves breakfast and also has a team of specialist chefs using traditional slow-cooked methods, such as hot coal and clay ovens, to create a wide ranging menu to suit all tastes, from mild kormas and hot vindaloos. “Stayed at the hotel for around six months with six other contractors on a Monday to Friday basis. We found the rooms very spacious and very clean.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review
20 Spaces On-site
Restaurant
Bar
CCTV
Private Parties
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00pm
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UNDER STARTER’S ORDERS
Grand National Day Aintree Racecourse Saturday 8 April 2017
For your race day accommodation…
The Block Liverpool
Liner at Liverpool
Hallmark Hotel Liverpool South
Village Hotel Club Liverpool
The Richmond Hatton Garden
Bridge Inn by Goodnight Inns
Kings Dock
Prescot
Lord Nelson Street
Hatton Garden
View all hotels in Liverpool >> 18
Sefton Park
Wirral
The 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Sunday 23 April 2017
THE LONDON LINE UP!
Choose a stay close to the START line
Clarendon Hotel
Ibis Styles London Excel
Best Western London Peckham Blackheath Newham Hotel Peckham Choose a stay close to the FINISH line
St Martins Lane
Sohostel Westminster
Covent Garden
Comfort Inn Victoria Victoria
More accommodation in London >> 19
A POSTCARD FROM...
Norwich
England’s first UNESCO City of Literature is a cool combination of medieval meets modern; it has a flourishing arts, music and cultural scene, is the most complete medieval city in the UK and is home to Europe’s largest permanent market. One of Norwich’s most famous landmarks, Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. It’s home to fabulous collections of fine art, archaeology, natural history and the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum collections. Hear some of the stories from the 500 year period the castle served as a prison and see the world’s largest collection of tea pots!
Explore the Norfolk Broads by canoe, perfect for discovering the 300 sq km of Broads (shallow lakes), interconnected by rivers and water ways. Discover local wildlife, enjoy the peace and quiet and experience the stunning landscape from river level. There’s several hire centres or choose a guided canoe tour for expert local knowledge along a variety of trails lasting from an hour to a full day excursion.
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Unless otherwise credited, all pictures courtesy of www.TourNorfolk.co.uk
A POSTCARD FROM... Peter Trimming Bure Valley Railway
You’ll realise why Norfolk is in the top 10 UK shopping destinations with two shopping centres, four department stores and many independent shops and boutiques in the pretty Lanes and Timber Hill, one of the oldest recorded streets, dating back to the Middle Ages. A must-see along the Royal Arcade is Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum! A replica of a Victorian trade premises, surprisingly, it’s packed with original Colman’s memorabilia!
Running through the heart of the Broads is the narrow gauge heritage Bure Valley Railway, which takes travellers from Aylsham to Wroxham, the capital of the Norfolk Broads, under steam power. The 18 mile round trip follows the river through ancient pasture and meadow land, with hop offs at picturesque Broadland villages. One day steam driver experiences are also available for those who really want to take steam travel to a new level of hot and fiery fun! The fountain by Lis Burke / CC BY-SA 2.0
With over 250 years of presenting theatre in the centre of Norwich, the Theatre Royal is the largest and most successful theatre in the east of England and offers a wide programme of entertainment, from big West End musicals to great dramas, dance, comedy, family shows, opera and music.
You don’t need to have green fingers to appreciate The Plantation Garden. This rare surviving example of a private Victorian town garden features a 30ft Gothic fountain, rustic bridge, woodland paths and an Italianate terrace. The Grade II English Heritage Listed garden has been lovingly restored, mostly by volunteers, and is a real hidden gem just ten minutes from the city centre. Another city landmark is the Pulls Ferry on the River Wensum. The medieval flint building was the Watergate to craft carrying stone from France to build the Cathedral and the ferry continued to operate until the 1940s.
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TOP PICKS
For a Norwich or Norfolk getaway Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a business stay or a leisure break, our collection caters for all budgets
Griffin Hotel >>
Innkeepers Lodge Norwich - The Town House >>
Wensum Valley Hotel Golf & Country Club >>
Innkeepers Lodge Norfolk Broads The Swan Inn >>
Lansdowne Hotel & Conference Centre >>
Swan Inn & Motel >> Holiday Inn Express Norwich >>
Mercure Norwich Hotel >>
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Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club >> VIEW MORE
FEATURE
New Inn
Brecon, Powys LD3 0HH
£66 01775 843413
From
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
For a traditional pub atmosphere, the New Inn ticks the boxes. Located next to the bus station on the main road leading into Talgarth in the Brecon Beacons National Park, it offers five warm and cosy guest rooms, with the majority en-suite, and all with free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities and flat screen TV. Eight miles from the market town of Hay on Wye and conveniently located for country walks, hikes and cycle trails, the inn is also close to the main shops of Talgarth and the world famous Talgarth Mill.
5 Spaces On-site
WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Luggage Storage
Check In 4.00pm
Check Out 10.00pm
Traditional British food is served in the restaurant with a great selection of ales, lager and wines available from one of the bars. A large car park and a beer garden with a smoking area is available.
“Nicely decorated and had everything we needed.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review
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Holroyd Arms Guildford
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Innkeepers Lodge Canterbury Canterbury
Easter mid-week break for two
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Coul House Hotel Strathpeffer
Great Hallingbury Manor Hotel
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Bishops Stortford
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01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm 24
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Douglas Hotel
Red Lion Hotel
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Hartlepool
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The Parsonage Hotel & Spa York
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York
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Headingley Lodge Hotel Leeds
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Hallmark Hotel Bailbrook House Preston Leyland Hotel Bath Preston
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Two nights for the price of one & three night breaks VIEW DETAILS
ENDING SOON!
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm 25
GROUP
The Castle Collection is a family-owned hotel group with five properties located in Ireland and Britain. Each Castle Collection property is unique, however, the warm, friendly greeting from staff and the cosy, hospitable atmosphere in all the hotels is the common thread that brings this collection of hotels together.
VIEW GROUP
Atholl Palace Hotel Pitlochry >> Fishers Hotel Pitlochry >>
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GROUP
The Beaches Hotel Prestatyn >>
Ballina Manor Hotel Ballina >> Castle Hotel Dublin >>
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