Time Out

Laura Henderson visits Tewkesbury Park Hotel in the Cotswolds for a spot of self-indulgent isolation

Set within the picturesque Gloucestershire countryside, privately owned Tewkesbury Park Hotel doesn’t stint on breath-taking views from its elevated habitat; imagine 360 degree vistas that stretch for miles across the Severn Valley, whilst also taking in the Black Mountains, tangle of quaint market towns and the tranquil babbling of the River Severn. Yet despite the area’s wealth of half-timbered houses and beautifully preserved 12th-century churches, it’s surprisingly off-radar.

Tewkesbury town itself is a historical delight; it’s greatest claim to fame being its pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses. At the Battle of Tewkesbury many Lancastrians lost their lives defending against the Yorkists in May 1471 in the ‘Bloody Meadow’ situated at the end of the Tewkesbury Park drive. Today, the original manor set within 167 acres of parkland, offers plenty of tranquil, combative free space for gentle meadow and woodland nature walks. While a large part of the estate is given over to the stunning 18-hole, par-72 Deerpark golf course designed by Frank Pennick, if you’re not a player, don’t let this put you off, as the hotel feels very much like a country home with the warmest of welcomes from the moment you arrive.

Recently refurbished in 2018, the manor house has been lovingly coaxed back to high style life by new local owners the McIntosh family; the property sympathetically reconfigured to accommodate 84 spacious guest rooms and 9 suites, all of which have successfully retained their boutique flair. Decorated in soothing, harmonious creams, browns and greys, no matter where your room is located, an awe-inspiring view from your bedroom window is guaranteed.

Rest and relaxation clearly take top billing in the guest experience, with fastidious attention to touch-point details from the Hypnos beds, fluffy towels, Nespresso machines and complimentary slippers in guest bedrooms to the library ‘nook’ of classic novels and the deep back sofas in the lounge festooned with cushions. 

So Near So Spa

While golf aficionados can enjoy a leisurely round at a tee-time to suit, non-playing guests are spoiled for choice with a something-for-everyone selection of amenities to dip into, including two tennis courts, two squash courts, a gym, bike spinning studio and indoor swimming pool. Further welcome additions to the recent renovation include two Spa Rooms, along with a Champagne Nail Bar.

Working with the Bath-based Natural Spa Factory, the well-thought out Spa menu of naturally inspired, chemical-free beauty treatments spans Maternity, Boutique, Illuminate and Luxe Gold ranges. Paying homage to the great Pharaoh Queen Cleopatra who slept in a gold mask, The Cleopatra Wrap, is a luxuriant body wrap of gold and caviar sugar. The Detoxing Tea Wrap provides a soothing and cleansing treatment with green tea, jojoba oil, sweet orange and bergamot. Alternatively, May Day Seaweed Therapy will ensure guests drift away on a detoxing raft with an invigorating peppermint scrub, followed by an antioxidant rich detoxing seaweed wrap topped off with a mineral rich seaweed oil rub down.

Time to Dine

Wining-and-dining is an equally indulgent affair at the hotel’s stylish Mint Restaurant. Creating the ideal spot to showcase the fabulous freshness of the meals produced by head chef, Anuj Thakur, and his highly talented team; the restaurant is all about relaxed, informal feasting, tucking into plates brimming with organic ingredients from top-notch suppliers, who are as local as possible.

Starter options include English asparagus and duck egg, truffle mayonnaise with parmesan crumb spiced Devon crab cakes, smoked paprika aioli, pickled kohlrabi with fennel salad falafel and baba ganoush, chickpea dumplings, Greek yoghurt, mint with sesame.

Mains are equally creative. If you’re a seafood fan, the Market Fish of the day is a must (it’s freshly landed by the Brixham boats and you can really relish in the freshness). For meat lovers the Gloucester Old Spot Pork three ways has to be on your menu and for any vegetarians, the crispy herb polenta and whipped Cotswold Cerney Ash goat’s cheese is as mouth-wateringly light as it sounds.

There’s little doubt Tewkesbury Park has gone back to the true art of hotelkeeping. The attention to detail into the guest experience speaks volumes – and that’s even without the glorious Gloucestershire views.   

www.tewkesburypark.co.uk