Newbury is probably finest identified for its racecourse however there may be a lot extra to this little market city in West Berkshire. There are stunning boutique accommodations and eating places to attempt, vineyards to go to and additionally it is the house to the fort the place Downton Abbey was filmed. The right countryside get away.
Listed here are our tried-and-tested suggestions for easy methods to spend a weekend in Newbury…
The place to remain in Newbury
The Retreat at Elcot Park
As first impressions go, The Retreat at Elcot Park has it nailed down – the drive up the gravel pathway to this crimson brick 18th Century nation home is spectacular in itself. Inside it has been lovingly refurbished, together with its superb orangery, the place we loved a scrumptious buffet breakfast each morning and lunch most days.
But it surely’s the gardens and out of doors pool that make this place actually particular. The swimming pool is surrounded by the lodge’s gardens and neighbouring fields, and is the proper place to loosen up in certainly one of their wicker deckchairs, or get pleasure from a drink in the summertime months.
Within the gardens you will discover every little thing from croquet to massive Jenga, and even a mini maze to maintain you occupied. There may be additionally a phenomenal spa contained in the lodge, the place friends can benefit from the sauna and jacuzzi, or take pleasure in a therapy, plus a deli, Signet Shops, within the lodge courtyard the place you should buy coffees and snacks.
And what concerning the rooms? All of the bedrooms and suites have been designed otherwise however every has a rustic home really feel. We stayed within the Sutton Suite, which was completely large and had an excellent king dimension mattress, double sinks and a freestanding bronze roll-top bathtub tub, with superb views over the North Wessex Downs. There have been additionally cookies delivered to our room day by day which was a bonus!
Rooms at The Retreat at Elcot Park begin from £225 per night time, discover out extra right here.
The place to eat and drink in Newbury
Yu at The Retreat Elcot Park
The Retreat at Elcot Park has two eating places, 1772 Brasserie and their Pan Asian providing, Yu. It is a attractive house and we dined on every little thing from spicy tuna rolls and salmon sashimi, to spicy ribeye of beef and shiitake mushrooms. The cocktails are good too!
The Woodspeen
It is value a go to right here only for the Scandi interiors. Set in a restored nineteenth Century farmhouse, you’ll be able to get pleasure from their seasonal menus overlooking their stunning kitchen backyard because of the ground to ceiling home windows. We are able to suggest The Woodspeen’s roasts, and their 25 Yards Gin, which they make utilizing the botanicals from their backyard.
The Boxford
If it is a extra informal pizza and pasta affair you are after then look no additional than The Boxford. Housed in a lately refurbished thatched barn, you may get all of the classics right here – margherita pizzas, carbonara and spaghetti with mussels.
What to do in Newbury
Newbury is located in one of the vital stunning bits of Berkshire, making it the proper countryside escape. However when you’re after a bit greater than nation walks, then there are many different issues to maintain you occupied.
Go to a winery
There are a number of vineyards within the space, together with All Angels which produces scrumptious English glowing wines. You possibly can ebook your self on to a tour via their vineyards, which after all entails tasting a few of their wines. Undoubtedly value a go to.
Newbury Racecourse
The market city is probably finest identified for it is common horse race days. Folks journey from throughout for a day on the races, which is at all times lots of enjoyable and an amazing alternative to dress up. There are fixtures all year long, discover out extra right here.
Highclere Fort
In case you are a fan of Downton Abbey and excited concerning the third movie, then a go to to Highclere is a should. The placement for the hit interval drama and subsequent movies, the home is totally stunning and set over 5000 acres of land.
Tour the home, which incorporates an Egyptian exhibition because of its former proprietor’s hyperlinks to the invention of the tomb of Tutankhamun), and wander the gardens. Opening occasions fluctuate all year long.
I am Cosmopolitan’s Leisure Director. I’ve an unhealthy obsession (some would say anyway) with Take That, Sport of Thrones and Elf. Most probably to be discovered consuming cava someplace whereas boring folks about my theories on Jon Snow’s parentage (not the journalist).
