You don’t have to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy a trip to Tewkesbury Park. But there are good grounds to go if you do. Luxurious Magazine’s Sabi Phagura went along to admire the stunning parkland setting of the hotel with pampering firmly on her mind.
I have enjoyed the odd round of golf in various parts of the world, but my visit to Tewkesbury Park focused more on the other facilities this delightful 18th-century property had to offer. I was drawn in by the spa offerings here, interspersed with leisurely walks around the green glory of the golf course.
Tewkesbury Park sits on the edge of the town with enviable views of the Malvern Hills in one direction and the Cotswolds Hills in the other. The town itself boasts a 12th-century abbey and has a plethora of timbered houses. Meanwhile, the hotel is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course with exceptional far-reaching views of the grounds. It’s a place that draws golfers and non-golfers in equal measure.
The main part of the building has been standing since the 18th century and, in the last 50 years or so, has been turned into a golfing venue with rooms. The majority of the public spaces are light and airy, from where you can catch glimpses of the sumptuous greenery outside. Inside, the interiors are chic with blue, teal and gold tones throughout. Huge comfy sofas and armchairs dotted about in the lounge and cocktail bar are inviting from where you can have a drink or two while catching up with friends and family.
Rooms and suites
The hotel has several room types, including six historic suites (above). If you are looking to treat yourself, these are the ones to go for. Ours was a top-notch suite with beautiful bay windows, a living area, a separate dressing space and a bathroom that can only be described as the height of luxury.
A roll-top bath with a mirror-come-TV was in the main section of the bathroom, while a separate walk-in shower with not one but two huge his-and-hers overhead rain showers complete with Bramley toiletries awaited us. How we managed to drag ourselves out of this luxurious space is beyond me.
The Food
But food has a way of dragging you out of any glamorous room, and with the evening meal at the hotel’s main restaurant Mint beckoned us. Dining here is a relaxed, informal affair where you can expect ingredients from carefully-chosen suppliers turned into good hearty meals.
The menu is a real mish-mash of east-meets-west whereby dishes such as Himalayan goat curry and Aloo samosa chaat sit seamlessly side by side with chargrilled butterfly king prawns and pan-seared sirloin of Herefordshire beef.
The bite-size starters are small, as the name states, but the portions for the mains are hearty and filling. If you’ve never tried Pani Puri, an Indian street food made of a crispy semolina cracker filled with potato and chickpeas with a mint dipping sauce, you must. It’s an eat-in-one-go ball of sensation, which may not be elegant to eat but is so bursting with flavour and a real treat.
Spa and Fitness
I’m forever on the go, so a spa was just the ticket to recoup and recharge my batteries. Still, I couldn’t forego a quick weight and cardio session at the on-site gym, complete with Life Fitness kit and a spin studio. Aside from the 72-par golf course, guests can get active in the two squash courts, two tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool. But those seeking a recuperative treat can find it in the form of treatments as well as in the outdoor hot tub and barrel sauna.
Dodging golf balls, Nita and I managed a leisurely walk in the Deerpark, the hotel’s award-winning 6554-yard parkland course. The grounds are a pleasure to walk around regardless of what the weather is doing, but the sun shining on an autumnal day made it all the more special.
Surrounded by panoramic views, water features, cross-cut fairways, veteran oaks, and manicured gardens was exactly what I was looking for when heading to Tewkesbury Park for a weekend getaway.
Tewkesbury Park – Where and How?
Tewkesbury Park can be found in Lincoln Green Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 7DN, a mere 10-minutes away from the M5. For more information or to make a booking, visit www.tewkesburypark.co.uk.
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