Tewkesbury Park: reviewed

Fancy a weekend getaway? Check out Tewkesbury Park: reviewed here. As following an extensive, two-year and £4million renovation, Tewkesbury Park hotel in Gloucester is a real countryside retreat. With views for days, a wealth of facilities and buckets of English charm to boot, it’s got everything you could wish for and more.

Tewkesbury Park’s location is what really wows. The hotel is set among 163 acres of parkland, which translates into a picturesque, 73-par golf course and rolling, panoramic views of the Cotswold and Malvern Hills. It helped that the weekend we visited was one of the UK’s PB’s, and with glorious sunshine, bluebird skies and deceptively hot weather (cue the questionable tan lines), Tewkesbury Park was suitably shown off. But even in poorer weather, views like this need to be lapped up, which is why the hotel boasts multiple outdoor terraces (perfect for lunching al fresco or an aperitif before dinner), huge bay windows and even a little croquet course on the green, deck chairs and all.

On the hotel’s doorstep lies the historic town of Tewkesbury – a must-see providing a day of activity for any longer stays. The quaint, Tudor town is steeped in history with the 12th-century Abbey drawing in scores of history-lovers all year round. Half-timbered houses line the streets with medieval flags hanging from windows, while locals and tourists alike mill about the antique shops, vintage tea rooms, galleries and museums. Despite its popularity, Tewkesbury is not overwhelmingly busy – or indeed it doesn’t feel it.

At the centre of Tewkesbury Park is the original 18th century property, which houses nine suites, a cocktail bar and lounge and dining areas, including the recently refurbished Orangery. Elegantly designed, beautifully furnished, and indeed slightly pricier the suites here are the crème de la crème of the hotel’s accommodation. Suites have a Scandi-chic air about them, with neutral tones paired with statement artwork and furniture and bay windows big enough to drink in the view and some. Larger suites – including the Honeymoon Suite (the hotel is popular with weddings) – offer his and her showers, statement copper baths, and eight-poster beds.

Despite being luxuriously modern in some ways, the suites manage to retain their traditional roots in others. The names of each suite, for example, take their namesakes from key characters who fought in the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury, the site of that is overlooked by the hotel. Small touches like Egyptian cotton, Neal’s Yard toiletries and a warmed hot water bottle placed in your room at night really did make for a very comfortable stay.

The adjoining buildings don’t possess the same historic charm or sense of luxury (they were built in 1970 when Tewkesbury Park became a golfing venue with accommodation), but for what they lack in looks they make up for in purpose. Housing a further 85 bedrooms, regular returners or those not wishing for quite as an extravagant stay are sure to be satisfied. The rooms are spacious and modern, with some of the ground rooms featuring a lovely outdoor space backing onto the golf course.

You’ll also find the spa, pool, sauna, steam room, gym, bike spinning studio and squash courts here, as well as a club house selling regular, good value food. With such extensive facilities – the newly renovated gym, for example, boasts top of the range equipment from the likes of Technogym – you really are spoilt for choice. If that wasn’t enough, outdoors you’ll find the renowned 18-hole golf course and two tennis courts.

The two new spa rooms and nail bar were particularly welcome additions. Still gauging interest, the spa is small and fairly unassuming, but set to grow if demand allows. Treatments range from the signature wraps – the Detoxing Tea wrap left my skin silky smooth – to a selection of facials, massages and manis and pedis – all using the Bath-based Natural Spa Factory.

If (like us) come dinner you’ve worked up a pretty decent appetite, executive chef Anuj Thakur serves up a delicious evening menu, full of seasonal and local produce. Expect dishes such as scallops with crab and Gloucester Old Spot pork three ways. The 1970s dining room has yet to be restyled (although plans to knock through an old walkway to make room for floor to ceiling windows promises to transform the area) so opt to dine in The Orangery if you can. This room, like the cocktail bar and lounge, is tastefully decorated in crisp blues and mellow yellows with statement walls of crockery and plants.

Tewkesbury Park’s extensive renovation has certainly paid off, and come another sunny day, we’d be back in an instant.

Book it?
Visit tewkesburypark.co.uk for more info. Prices for guestrooms start from £146. Tewkesbury is 10 minutes from the M5 and from Ashchurch station on the Bristol to Birmingham line.