HOT Hotel
HolidayS Uk
With its Georgian mansion and landscaped grounds designed by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, Nick Lane Jackson realised in 1908 that Stoke Park would make a perfect country club. But it has grown way beyond that, into a luxury hotel with 49 rooms and a spa. Less than an hour’s drive from London or 30 minutes on the train, guests can relax in style, enjoying views of Windsor Castle from the grounds.
Set in 300 acres of parkland, near Stoke Poges, Bucks, there are close links with the film industry, especially James Bond.
It starred in Goldfinger and Tomorrow Never Dies. But the movie credits also include Bridget Jones’s Diary, where Hugh Grant falls into a lake, Wimbledon, Pride & Prejudice and Layer Cake.
You approach the hotel via a grand drive and inside it feels like a country mansion, with plush carpets, wood panelling and large oil portraits.
Rooms range from sumptuous and traditional in the main mansion, some with four posters, to the more modern in the nearby Pavilion, with contemporary art and furnishings. three AA rosettes, while head chef Chris Wheeler has also won multiple awards. Savour panoramic views over the park, with a la carte and tasting menus. The more casual San Marco is open all week for lunch and dinner and you can take afternoon tea at The Orangery.
In the separate Pavilion, the Spa’s attractions include indoor heated pool, marble steam rooms, Scandinavian sauna, hot tub and treatments galore.
stokepark.com, 01753 717171
around the Palladian mansion. Next comes the tennis, with 13 courts, indoor and out. The grounds are so extensive, there’s even an hour-long Heritage Walk, through the rock and water gardens, and the hotel will provide you with a map.
There are numerous local attractions. Have a look around Windsor Castle, or visit Eton College, which lays on heritage tours for the public.
Depending on the time of year, annual fixtures include: Royal Ascot, the Farnborough International Airshow, Hampton Court Palace Festival.
And, for the little ones, Legoland.
More than 600 free pairs of tickets worth £80,000 are up for grabs in the Discover Ferries annual promo.
Giveaways on 40 routes include island hops in Scotland, trips to the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly.
You can also cross the North and Irish Seas, as well as the Channel – and even take London river trips. Try your luck by midnight on March 12 at bigferryfortnight.com. It’s an offer you can’t refuse as The Mob Museum in Las Vegas hosts a TV crime show exhibition.
The Mob On TV features a collection of on-screen costumes and props from three top series – The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire and Breaking Bad.
Attractions include Nucky Thompson’s “death suit” worn by Steve Buscemi, and Tony Soprano in casual mode.
Tickets from £22.50. themobmuseum.org