Rolling cascading hills, adorable dampened dogs sleeping by a log fire and winter wellies. That’s what one expects from an idyllic English countryside retreat.
Tewkesbury Park is a newly refurbished 163-acre hotel and 18-hole 73 parkland golf course in the upper edges of Gloucestershire. With a £9 million investment in Autumn 2017 made by the McIntosh family owners, this grand hotel is a picture-perfect getaway in a tiny town a 3-hour train journey away from London.
We entered the hotel via their long plush driveway through the cleanly cut golf course up a hillside. The staff were incredible friendly, helpful and guided us to our King Edward IV suite which overlooked the grounds. The room boasted a king size Hypnos bed, a 40” inch smart screen TV, a desk by the windows, a Nespresso machine with a sexy picture of George Clooney in an accompanying note, an ample wardrobe, and a gorgeous bathroom with deep slipper bathtubs and sumptuous Bramley products like Shampoo with lemon, mandarin and rosemary and Conditioner with Lemon, Mandarin and Rosemary.
The recent refurbishment saw huge uplifts in the décor such as the soft furnishings from Zoffany and Osborne and Little. With plush earthy hues like mossy greens, beiges, and deep blues, the hotel gives off a calm natural atmosphere set against the floor-to-ceiling window views of the Cotwolds and Malvern Hills. Out of the 93 guest rooms, 9 suites are named after those who participated in the famed Battle of Tewkesbury in AD 1471. On site of the famous battle, the local villagers celebrate the historic event once a year with full costumes and festivities.
Tewkesbury Park feels like the perfect place to have your countryside wedding or perhaps more informal company retreat get together. Incredible additions include the big Cotswold Suite designed by Childs + Sulzmann Architects: the perfect site for a wedding location which can accommodate up to 300 guests with a barbecue, pizza oven and terrace overlooking the beautiful Severn Valley. The three separate suites joined into one mega room consist of the Broadway Suite, The Burford Suite, and the Bibury Suite which can also be separated for smaller functions with the Berkeley Lounge accompanied on the side for pre and or post event drinks.
We also had a tour of the Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Warwick meeting rooms which are typically used for private lunches, dinners, business interviews as well as child parties. The Orangery and Cocktail Lounge is a bar used for events and can even be set up for intimate sit-down dinners.
The one small space not yet refurbished is the dining area which was surprisingly good with excellent service. With English cuisine, waiters who know their wine, a fantastic steak, a cheeky dark chocolate fondue with marshmallows and strawberries and delicious homemade mini pastries in the morning, the food was great.
The first day we took a trip around the grounds where we discovered a helipad was available for those corporate jet setters who want to arrive in style. Unfortunately, we didn’t realise the hotel provides guests with an assortment of funky wellies to walk around so we strolled in the rain wearing wet trainers.
In the afternoon, we went to the leisure centre for a gym session, swim, steam and use of the outdoor jacuzzi which is easily accessible from the main hotel. The leisure centre is the epicentre of where corporates can socialise whilst enjoying squash, tennis, the spa or the amenities for golf such as the academy course, putting green or immaculately groomed golf course.
Spa therapists are accessible in-house, or the receptionist can call in a nearby specialist for massages and facials which are given in the treatment rooms. I had a lovely facial whilst I was there which was a nice respite before the evening’s dinner.
What’s unique about this hotel is that they offer dog-friendly rooms with patio doors leading outside and a special Canine Retreat package. This doggy experience includes a welcome pack with doggie treats, a luxury Hunt & Wilson dog bed, suggested walks and tailored information, traditional afternoon tea, a three-course dinner for two in the Piano Lounge with a “Dog’s Dinner”, a £25 spa gift voucher, overnight accommodation with full use of all the leisure facilities and a full English breakfast where your pup will receive a sausage or two.
Whether you are single, getting married, or perhaps wanting to treat your pouch to a country weekend away, Tewkesbury Park Hotel is the place to do it.
Tewkesbury Park Hotel
Lincoln Green Lane
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 7DN
United Kingdom
