26 Jul / 2016
Ellenborough Park hotel
This is how it starts; the beautiful drive way that sweeps round to the front entrance of this historic hotel, built in the early Tudor style from Cotswold stone. As you come off the road, that crunchy sound of tyres on gravel comforts you and signals the arrival. Arriving at dusk, the hotel is beautifully lit, so enchantingly, so old; green climbs the walls, so English, it impresses. It begins, a journey away from the hectic lives we lead and a step closer to peace and time out. The rooms are classic country luxe, with some old charm features such as four poster beds, patios that step out and allow for breakfast outside in privacy and spacious beautiful bathrooms, the kind you can enjoy winding down in and getting ready in.
Let the hotel help plan your stay; you are spoilt for choice; Cheltenham racecourse, fishing tours, picnic, walks, hearty pub lunches, afternoon teas, golf lessons, horse riding, croquet on the lawn, treatments in the spa, a swim in the outdoor heated pool. A personal highlight was discovering the boot room; every home should have one of these, very comforting having not brought my own, and a reminder how good Dubarry hiking boots are. Right across the road from the hotel the most beautiful walk up and up and through the forest, across some fields, passing few other ramblers, and then when you don’t expect it the vistas open up over the Costwolds, its so beautiful.
A good hotel is not good enough without a great dinner, it doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy fine dining in the main restaurant, The Beaufort Dining Room, it has the original fireplace, stained glass windows, service is outstanding, and the cheese and wine are worth going for alone! You will have Ellenborough Park on your ‘country luxe return to list’ for many reasons.