Plot a unique Abbey break
And family are sent to Coventry and absolutely love it
While Guy Fawkes was plotting to blow up King James I in Parliament 400 years ago another part of the tale was playing out 100 miles north.
Up in Coventry, a team of conspirators were scheming to kidnap James’ young daughter Elizabeth and, on her father’s death, install her on the throne as a puppet queen.
Elizabeth, then only nine, was being cared for by Lord Harrington at his home Coombe Abbey on the city’s outskirts.
But the plan turned to farce when the traitors charged with her capture failed to locate the stately home and instead retired to the pub. Hours later the whole Gunpowder Plot was rumbled.
Nowadays Coombe Abbey is a magnificent country house hotel whose grandeur befits its place in history. Founded in 1150 as a monastery, it has survived financial strife, fire, several rumoured hauntings and even a family curse.
Before lockdown 2, I took husband Tim and our two children Freddie, 12, and Rosie, 15, along for one of its famous afternoon teas served in the flower-laden conservatory – a world away from its past intrigue and strife (coombeabbey.com).
It’s a truly decadent pleasure and pledges to recreate historic treats with a modern twist. You can choose from an Abbot’s or Knight’s menu, both of which are come with a selection of lovely loose-leaf teas or fresh coffees and a handsome freshly baked scone.
The Abbot is the more traditional with finger sandwiches – my favourite was the Croxton Manor cheese and apple and cider chutney ones – and a selection of beautiful cakes and puddings such as potted apple and cinnamon cheesecake and Belgian chocolate ganache tartlet (£26.95pp).
Our Knight’s versions included a delectable soft-boiled Scotch duck egg and a buttermilk fried chicken and chipotle slider alongside the sweets, all presented on a novel wooden table-and-chair set (£29.95pp).
Afterwards we walked it off in the vast Coombe Abbey Park that surrounds the hotel then headed to the popular on-site Go Ape. Rosie
and Freddie had a go at the Treetop Adventure Plus course, full of high-up challenges like rope bridges, climbing walls, tunnels and long zip wires (goape.co.uk, £24pp). Meanwhile Tim and I let off steam axe-throwing (£14pp). You learn how to launch an axe at a target with either one hand or two then play games to see who’s best at planting it. It’s much harder than it sounds but lots of fun.
We were staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on the outskirts of Coventry. It’s just off junction 2 of the M6 so is easy to get to as well as being a great base from which to explore the area.
We had two spacious adjoining deluxe rooms – a king and a twin – which came with complimentary refreshments, a Nespresso machine, LCD TV and USB ports. The Living
Well spa with a lovely warm swimming pool and Jacuzzi was a bonus, although in the Covid era you must book ahead. The staff were super friendly and there were plenty of sanitising points.
For extra peace of mind in the relaxing bar and restaurant you can scan a menu on your phone to eliminate the need for paper versions.
We dined there and enjoyed a pizza, fish and chips, a chicken tikka masala and a burger – all for around £15 each. All drinks are brought to your table too.
Next year Coventry becomes the UK City Of Culture and there’s a real buzz there with loads to do.
We ventured into the city to panic rooms Escape Live in a cool neighbourhood called FarGo
Village. It was the first time we’d tried an escape room as a family and in their game Armageddon we were tasked with launching a