4 minute read
Welcome to the HOLIDAY INN WINCHESTER, UK
Welcome to the Holiday Inn
Winchester, United Kingdom
Advertisement
by Caroline-Artemis Laspas
This latest trip away from home took us to the town of Winchester in the south of England. It is one of the oldest cities in the country with a wonderful 1,000 year history.
It was here that King Alfred the Great one the earliest Kings of England was buried in the stunning medieval Cathedral; one of Europe’s most well preserved.
The city’s history does not stop there!
In one the finest surviving aisled halls of the 13th century, Winchester Castle’s Great Hall is all that remains of the medieval castle, which was constructed in 1067.
The Legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table used to meet here and hanging in the Great Hall is an imitation of the legendary table. It does however date back to late medieval times. Made from English oak it measures 5.5m in diameter and weighs 1,200kg. Originally it would have been a table with legs, but has been hanging on the west wall since 1873. Before that it hung from the east wall where it had hung since at least 1540 or even since 1348!
At just an over hour’s drive from South-West London, Winchester is an easy day trip. With cobbled pedestrian streets, lovely shops, individual cafes and gifts stores, it is a gem of a city. It is also a hub for a number of locally produced products from honey, cocoa, beer, cider and ice cream to name a few.
It is also home to the UK’s oldest working watermill. You can buy the milled flour from the shop and across the road is the ‘Bishop on the Bridge’ pub, where we chose to have a summer garden lunch. Sitting on the River Itchen the pub had a variety of lunch options and drinks.
After an unexpected day of shopping, our home for the night was the Holiday Inn Winchester. Located out of town, on the edge of the beautiful South Downs, but it is still easily accessible by car, bus or taxi. This is a benefit as once you arrive at the hotel you can indulge in the hotel and all it has to offer.
Once checked in, we headed to the Ana Spa for our pre-booked spa treatment! A full body mud wrap began with body brushing, oiling and then applying the mud wrap. With warm ergonomic treatment beds, it was heaven. Our two masseurs were delightful and considerate and made the experience more special.
The spa facilities are simple and elegant with a large jacuzzi, relaxing recliners, a steam room, dry sauna, cold shower and a soothing foot jacuzzi, which we enjoyed several times. The whole experience was perfect at the end of a day in town!
The Holiday Inn Winchester has been designed and is operated to be sustainable and to limit its carbon footprint. However, this is done without reducing or limiting the offering and providing a wonderful cosmopolitan feel and that of a special stay.
Pre-dinner drinks were in the modern open-foyer and offered plenty of seating options and snazzy colourful décor. Dinner was at the hotel’s new Odyssey Restaurant, Bar & Pizzeria. With all your favourite options, this award-winning 4* hotel offers something for everyone and it was a satisfying end to the day.
With room service, private dining and events also available at the hotel, it is an ideal base from which to explore not only Winchester, but also the many other attractions around Hampshire.
Our room as was big with twin double beds, a desk, and tea and coffee making facilities. The bathroom was compact, but functional and utilised eco-bottles of shampoo and shower gel.
After a good night sleep, the buffet breakfast was set up in the main restaurant area. With the usual array of options and hot food to order too, it provided a good start to the day.
We decided to explore a few other places en-route home including the small village of Alresford with independent shops and pretty painted houses. Just out of the village was Long Barn Garden Centre. This delightful beautifully decorated shop-comecafé offered foodie gifts, interior items, unusual clothing, accessories and plants of course!
Our final stop before home was the historic market town of Farnham. With its historical Georgian streets and well preserved period buildings, it is quintessentially English. Offering a range of independent boutiques and many high street shops, there are plenty of eateries. At the top of the hill overlooking the town sits the 12th century castle, built in 1138 AD and has been occupied for nearly 900 years.
As we drove home through the green rolling hills of the South Downs, we realised there was still plenty more to discover in Winchester, the county of Hampshire, and so many more attractions, so for sure we need to return again soon.
