Long weekend in Warwickshire

[Nigel Watts]

I have just returned from a long weekend in Warwickshire. We stayed two nights at Ettington Park Hotel, an extraordinary Victorian house in a full blown High Gothic style, at least on the outside (interiors a bit of a let down by comparison). Very Ruskin influenced with lots of good carving and the use of four different types of warm coloured stone, some of which have weathered better than others. Most picturesque especially viewed from the middle distance, framed by trees.

Hotel conversion not terribly sympathetic, with two new ranges - one in what was probably the kitchen court - but at least they dont impinge too much on the main facades. Food was overambitious and overpriced but service was very friendly. Bikes and wellies are provided for guests. Visited Warwick castle, which was better done than I expected. The countryside around the hotel seemed surprisingly well-heeled (pub menus with things like "seared pigeon breast in a something-or-other jus" and a number of large new country houses going up - is this commuting territory for wealthy Brummies?)

Any suggestions for other architecturally interesting yet child friendly hotels for similar long weekend?

 

[yamin]

interesting. We live jut down the road from Ettington Park - I agree with your summary of it. We are in the countryside near Alcester - bet you didn'tthink to take a look there....? (Poorly sold but lovely place) - my husband does indeed commuteto bham, but as he's from Chesterfield and earns his money as a nurse, I don't think we count as moneyed Brummies!!!!). Its lovely around here though, with lots of architecturally interesting villages.......

http://www.alcester.co.uk/

Are you looking for weekends in the same area or just generally? I can highly recommend Augill Castle near Carlisle, if your enquiry is more general

http://www.stayinacastle.com/

Its a set up where you stay as if guests at a country house - so there are a few other guests and you all eat breakfast around one big table - the family keep bringing more and more food to the table - all delicious! Dinner you eat with the other guests again, which I guess could be awful, but when we went (pre children) it was great and the other 8 or so guests were all lovely. It looks great for children, who re fed a seperate supper, and we really fancy going again.

Another one to try, though self catering (but think gorgeous weekend retreat), is Combermere in Shropshire, a collection of beautiful cottages converted for the use of guests. Again, we went pre children (are you getting the theme here? Pre children, money to indulge, ha ha!!) and really enjoyed it, but looks equally good with children.

How nice to be planning more trips like these! Both the above are in really interesting period buildings by the way.....

 

[yamin]

Sorry, forgot to put in link to Combermere cottages

http://www.combermereabbey.co.uk/

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I've plugged it in another recent thread, but the prices compare reasonably with Ettington Park (as far as I can tell):
http://www.portmeirion-village.com/

 

[Flyfisher]

We stayed at Portmeirion Hotel about 25 years ago. All very pleasant but particularly memorable for Mrs FF throwing open the curtains one morning only to be confronted by someone repairing the flat roof outside our bedroom window. She now tends to get dressed before opening the curtains in strange hotels.

 

[Penners]

Food was overambitious and overpriced

That's par for pretty well any course (no pun intended) these days, I'm afraid.

Do you know South-West Scotland - the Galloway coast? An area with many charms, which is almost a microcosm of the whole of Scotland.

The Cally Palace Hotel, just outside Gatehouse of Fleet, is architecturally quite interesting, and prices (while not cheap) are not outrageous.

Places worth visiting: Kirkcudbright is a lovely small fishing town (try the Auld Alliance restaurant); Newton Stewart is worth a glance if you're passing; Drumlanrig Castle; Threave Gardens (breathtaking drifts of daffs in the Spring); but the best local trips are up on the moorlands and walks around the lochs in the hinterland. Don't miss Glen Trool and Loch Trool.