Hotel of the week
WHITTLEBURY PARK, SILVERSTONE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
WHERE AND WHY:
It’s set in hundreds of acres of beautiful green landscape about half a mile from Silverstone racetrack. Pull off a quiet road into the entrance and there is a still a few minutes’ journey down the long drive and through the 36-hole Championship golf course before you arrive at the 254-bedroom property.
The outside looks like a mansion, and inside is a charming mixture of vast rooms with tall, decorative ceilings. They include an afternoon tea room, complete with real fire, the Silverstone Bar and five further eating areas including a three-AA Rosette restaurant.
Walls are peppered with large fancy-framed Victorian pictures. It’s plush, posh and easy going all at the same time.
We stayed in a Club Double Room which was large and airy, with patio doors overlooking the gardens, a table and chairs inside to enjoy room service and all the usual luxuries including TV, built-in wardrobe, iron, coffee machine, kettle and shower/bath.
COVID CHECK-IN:
Your temperature is taken on entry to the hotel and spa, with hand sanitisers dotted all around. Masks are obligatory and all staff wear less-intrusive face shields.
ON THE MENU:
We started with traditional afternoon tea (£19.95pp), later enjoying a threecourse meal fit for a king.
The modest price of £26pp in Astons restaurant provided a goats’ cheese starter with red chicory, pistachio crumb and balsamic glaze. The main was roasted chicken breast with bulgur wheat, root vegetables, chorizo cassoulet and green beans.
Chocolate mousse, brownie and chocolate ice cream for dessert rounded it off perfectly.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE:
Silverstone circuit is a short drive away, while Bicester shopping village is half an hour.
On-site book in for some Spa treatments. For £99pp, enjoy a Glow Getter Spa Day with Peaceful Escape treatment then venture to the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and ice cave, before heading over to the pool area.
WAKE-UP CALL: B&B in a Club double/twin room is from £149 a night with free parking. whittlebury.com