Simon Wittenberg enjoys a leisurely two-night weekend stay at a property which delivers rest and relaxation in abundance, as well as spectacular panoramic views of one of England’s most beautiful landscapes.
Tewkesbury Park, which sits on the outskirts of the medieval market town of Tewkesbury near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, is a stunning independent luxury hotel that started life as an 18th-century Georgian manor house.
First opened in 1976, the property has been transformed over the years through various eras of ownership. In the hands of the McIntosh family since 2014, they have since spent millions of their own money on a comprehensive programme of refurbishments to create the inviting proposition that it is today.
Panoramic views of the rolling countryside are in plentiful supply, thanks to Tewkesbury Park Hotel being perched on the top of a hill at the heart of a 180-acre estate that once witnessed the Battle of Tewkesbury back in 1471. It is a property which impresses from the moment of arrival thanks to its long driveway, which sweeps through the beautifully-manicured 6,554-yard, 72-par, 18-hole golf course designed by Frank Pennick.
Golf is, of course, a central theme here, but there’s more to Tewkesbury Park than just this sport because what the McIntosh family has created is the perfect destination for a weekend or short break to unwind and relax away from the hustle and bustle.
Accommodation fit for a Lord and Lady
Tewkesbury Park offers a total of 93 bedrooms across different room types, which span the “Just Right” rooms (priced from £122 per night) through to the historic “Opulence” suites in the main manor house, which start from £282 per night inclusive of breakfast – the subject of our visit.
The height of luxury, we had the pleasure of staying in “Lord Hastings” on the first floor of the manor house, where its three large bay windows provide a view of the terrace, the lawn games for guests, and the final hole on the golf course, where you can watch players shake hands and doff hats after making their final putt.
Beyond that is a panoramic vista of miles of undulating scenery as far as the eye can see, thanks to the hotel’s proximity to the Severn Valley, the Malvern Hills, and the Cotswolds.
This beautifully-appointed suite has been tastefully dressed with plenty of lighting, an array of furnishings with soft seating to recline and relax, a writing desk, and an oval coffee table. There’s also a 48-inch Samsung TV, which sits on a grand wooden cabinet housing tea and coffee-making facilities, a Nespresso machine and an ice-cold minibar fridge with complimentary milk and water.
At the heart of this room, which has characterful creaky and uneven floorboards beneath the soft carpet, is the uber-comfortable super king-sized Hypnos bed that you sink into amongst the plethora of soft pillows and cushions laid on top of the crisp white duvet.
Passing through the walk-in wardrobe area, you arrive at the large bathroom, which has an aged feel about it, thanks to its wooden floors, a toilet with a dark wooden seat and the standalone bath with vintage taps that also sits opposite a built-in flatscreen TV – ideal for those who like to have a soak in front of their favourite shows.
There’s also a walk-in rain shower with complimentary and fragrant shampoo and shower gel dispensers from Bath’s Natural Spa Factory.
The only downsides that we could really find with this Opulent Room are that there is no lift to reach it, and no porter service if you are travelling with lots of luggage as we did, plus you do get a little disturbance into the evening when the terrace gets busy with guests below, or are indulging in a spot of giant Connect Four, Jenga and croquet.
Gastronomy with a hint of Indian cuisine
There are a couple of bars at this hotel for those who wish to enjoy a beverage during the day or evening, but when it comes to dining, there’s one main eatery on site, which is the 70-cover dual-level light and airy Mint Restaurant offering views out on to the golf course.
The style of cuisine served here can be described as British with an Indian twist and uses locally-sourced ingredients, which change with the seasons.
The Summer Dinner à la carte, which we sampled one evening whilst at the hotel, grants a decent amount of choice, plus there’s a wine list, and a separate kids menu, offering the likes of fish and chips to satisfy little appetites. Any dietary requirements will also be accommodated where possible.
We started with a breadboard from the “Bite Size” section of the menu, which translated as some butter, a small bowl of balsamic vinegar, a couple of grissini sticks, and four lightly toasted pieces of rye and sourdough bread which seemed a bit stale, being the end of the day. Even though this is a light bite, it was also not overly generous when you’re paying £5 for what are essentially very basic ingredients.
The starters from the “A Little Bigger” category, which take in the likes of Tandoori-spiced monkfish and Scottish King scallops, impressed a lot more. I sampled the heritage tomato gazpacho (£7), which arrived with a fluorescent green and sweet ball of cucumber sorbet garnished with tiny cubes of fresh watermelon.
It’s then a matter of pouring the jug of savoury soup onto these aforementioned ingredients so that they all mesh together as one to deliver what was a flavoursome and refreshing dish.
My other half opted for the Cheltenham beetroot chaat (£10), which had a deep-fried latke-like consistency and a hint of spice to give it a bit of a kick. This dish was garnished with thin slices of radish, whirls of light green mint and tamarind sauce, crispy sev (an Indian snack), and pieces of pomegranate for added decoration.
What is clear at Mint is that there is not solely a focus on taste, but an emphasis on exquisite presentation, making the experience for diners a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
The mains are made up of carnivorous, fish and vegetarian delicacies, ranging from goat curry to mushroom and vegetable kofkas. I settled on the “Sole Véronique” (£25), which arrived as a rolled fillet of lemon sole (this was not clear on the menu) and was a little dry and slightly overcooked when you would normally expect a more moist texture from this fish.
With that being said, the accompanying creamy Véronique sauce was exquisite, and the white and peeled grapes added a nice hint of sweetness, making this an enjoyable choice overall.
My wife tried the pan-seared sirloin of Hereford with Evesham carrots, potatoes and some peppercorn sauce (£28), which was more akin to a Sunday roast at a pub. It was tasty enough, but the cut of meat looked cheap and just appeared a bit out of place when everything else that we had sampled had been so elegantly prepared up until this point.
Sides (£5 each) are needed with the mains, so we headed for a small basket of sweet potato fries and a helping of seasonal green vegetables, which counted some nicely-cooked beans, asparagus, cabbage, and broccoli.
The dessert menu was very tempting, and you can either have a “mini pud” to go alongside a hot beverage or go for a “Proper Pud” to round off a meal, where there are a number of sweet treats and a cheese board.
I opted for the more substantial option in the form of a Pistachio Financier (£8), which starts with a creamy topping dressed in fresh strawberries before you break into a hard green chocolate layer to reveal a sumptuous cake inside. Combine this with the awaiting strawberry sorbet and small morsels of meringue, and you have what is a divine dessert.
My other half chose the colourful and bright yellow coconut and mango parfait with a spot of guava sorbet (£8), which was just as delicious, meaning a clean plate ensued, and was the perfect precursor to heading back to Lord Hastings for a good night’s rest.
Breakfast back in the Mint Restaurant, which is served from 7 am, offers a basic continental buffet taking in a variety of different pastries, yoghurt, fruit, juices and cheese, amongst other vital ingredients for a Full English. There’s an adequate selection to kick-start the day, and other dishes and drinks are available on request, which carries an additional supplement.
A swim and a spa
As well as on-site tennis courts and a well-equipped gym, another benefit of staying at Tewkesbury Park is the spa and fitness area that sits next to the golfing clubhouse in a separate single-tier building close to the main entrance.
Besides a well-equipped gym, there’s a moderately heated 11-metre pool, plus a small steam room, and if you’re happy to venture outside into the open air, there’s a piping hot jacuzzi and seating area with a separate wooden sauna cabin.
The not so advertised fact here is that you need to bring a £1 coin with you to operate the lockers. Otherwise, it’s a matter of keeping an eye on your belongings at the poolside, which can be a bit tiresome when you’re putting in some laps. Although we didn’t get to try these during our stay, there’s a comprehensive menu of different spa treatments, ranging from a pedicure to different varieties of massage.
Going back in time…
Five minutes away by car is the quaint medieval market town of Tewkesbury, which is full of character. This is where the historic Tewkesbury Abbey dating back to the 12th century, can be found, a marvel of architecture which is nestled amongst several independent shops.
There’s also a selection of eateries if you wish to venture beyond the gastronomic confines of the hotel, plus a pleasant walk along the banks of the River Severn, where you can see the old mill and Victoria Gardens, amongst other scenic features.
In summary…
Tewkesbury Park offers an idyllic setting for a weekend break, a special celebration, and an escape from the daily routine. With a great location, welcoming staff, and good food, this hotel has it all and is a true gem of Gloucestershire. The McIntosh family has worked wonders turning this property into a must-visit destination, and for keen golfers and non-golfers alike, it is money very much well-spent.
Tewkesbury Park – Where and How?
Tewkesbury Park is located at Lincoln Green Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 7DN, United Kingdom. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.tewkesburypark.co.uk.
See photos and a video from our visit on the Luxurious Magazine Instagram page.
Read more travel reviews, news, guides and features here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.