HISTORY CELEBRATED

From a selection of manor houses rich in heritage to exclusive weekends with renowned historians, you’ll find your perfect getaway with Warner Hotels

There’s nothing like escaping the everyday and immersing yourself in the history of a fascinating new destination – but what if you didn’t even have to leave the hotel to do that? With an assortment of adult-only locations across the country, Warner Hotels offers you the chance to let your hair down in picturesque surroundings with plenty of illustrious stories to tell. Not only that, but this year also brings you the chance to meet, greet and learn from some of the country’s most celebrated historians in a series of exclusive weekends. Interested? Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to with Warner Hotels…

HOLME LACY HOUSE, HEREFORDSHIRE

You’ll find several spectacular original features at this Grade I listed mansion – one of the largest in Herefordshire. Much of the interior design work was created by Grinling Gibbons, one of the great wood carvers of the 1700s, while you’ll also discover 99 Indian elephants carved into hedges around the property – if you look hard enough. Holme Lacy hosted Charles I in 1645, just four years before his execution, while Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder was known to conduct cabinet meetings in the grounds. The hotel is set within a conservation area with 20 acres of gardens – which is also Grade I listed – including a 300-year-old apple orchard and a fishing lake, which makes for some particularly idyllic angling. Indoors, you can easily while away hours in the charmingly decorated Blue Room with its 30-foot ceilings, and the Pavilion promises some memorable evenings of entertainment.

STUDLEY CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE

Refashioned in 2017, Studley Castle boasts Grade II listed status and promises eye-catching architectural features from the Gothic Revival, including gargoyles on the exterior and ornate ceilings and regal wood panelling within. Through time, the building’s purpose has often changed, from serving as Lady Warwick’s Studley Agricultural College for Women to acting as a Women’s Land Army training camp during both WWI and WWII. You can gently wash away all your stresses and strains in The Stables Spa or take the time to relax and recline in one of the three historic lounges. Alternatively, you can hire a bike and roam the 28 acres of grounds with rolling countryside views at your leisure, catch a film at the boutique cinema or sample British recipes and traditional ingredients from the 1900s at Brasserie32 – the choice is all yours.

LITTLECOTE HOUSE, HUNGERFORD

Few hotels in the world can boast a beautifully preserved mosaic within the ruins of a Roman villa on their grounds, but that’s just a small part of this Grade I listed Tudor manor’s story. This location has hosted Civil War armies and seen the planning of the D-Day landings in the library, too. And it’s said to be where Henry VIII first courted his third wife Jane Seymour, whose grandmother Elizabeth Darrell lived at the property. During your stay, you can hear more intriguing tales, including Darrell’s reported dalliances, via an audio tour of the house. There’s also a wide range of enjoyable activities available, such as tennis, archery and rifle shooting, while peace and tranquillity are never far away, thanks to the 113 acres of gardens and parkland, as well as an indoor pool, sauna and steam room.