WHAT? WHERE?

Idyllically tucked away in the village of Claverdon just a few miles from Warwick and yet seemingly miles from anywhere, Ardencote is an independently owned four-star hotel which is perfectly positioned for a restorative rural retreat.

It is easy to reach by car or train – Warwick Parkway train station is just 4 miles away and is on the Chiltern Railway/London Marylebone line. Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa are also nearby if you fancy venturing slightly further afield.

THE VIBE

The handsome red-brick former Victorian manor has an imposing entrance down a leafy tree-lined drive to the car park, which is free for guests. Set in an 83-acre country estate the main house overlooks landscaped gardens, whilst the Lakeside and Lodge overlook a 3 acre lake with its own Wedding Island and last but not least, an 18-hole golf course. There are gorgeous 360-degree views to admire.

Closely following the completion of its stunning £1.5m Destination Spa development programme in 2022, this month has seen the reopening of its renovated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and poolside showers, as part of the newly updated Leisure Club facilities.

The multi award-winning Destination Spa – a Muddy award winner to boot – is located in a converted Victorian coach house and you can dine in the one AA rosette Brasserie restaurant.. Other facilities include conference and banqueting rooms.

LEISURE FACILITIES

There are a range of pamper and stay packages, but we opted for the Winter Leisure Getaway, a dream for overnight escapees and weekending tourists seeking countryside quiet combined with an active wellness break.

This includes full use of the indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, cardiovascular gym, weights/resistance gym, squash courts and tennis courts from 12pm on the day of arrival until check out at 10.30am on the day of departure, a cream tea, two-course dinner and restaurant buffet-style breakfast.

I’d brought my daughter with me to celebrate her upcoming 15^th birthday. She thought the hotel rather grand and said it reminded her of an episode of Bridgerton where the family visit their ancestral country house, Aubrey Hall in season two – clearly impressed!

The atmosphere is chilled, family-friendly and homely.

Our much-anticipated staycation began with a mum-and-daughter session in the newly updated fitness centre. The cardiovascular gym is set over two floors each one light and airy with everything you need for an invigorating work out.

Downstairs there’s a free weight area with dumbbells, a 250kg barbell set, Bosu balls, slam balls and stretching area. Upstairs the latest Life Fitness equipment includes plenty of treadmills, a duel action pulley station, universal Smiths Machine and cycling machines. You can also book in advance for one of the regular fitness classes, from Pilates to Kettlesize, running throughout the week, and make use of the spacious dance studio or squash courts next door.

The refurbished indoor heated pool looked so inviting with its blue LED lighting we decided to go for a dip. This more than lived up to our expectations. We also absolutely loved the sauna and steam room.

It is worth pointing out that the Jacuzzi with its air massage jets is not suitable for under 16’s.

If you’d like to book a wellness or beauty treatment this needs to be made two weeks in advance of your visit in order to avoid disappointment as appointments get quickly snapped up.

I previously reviewed the excellent state-of-the-art Destination Spa when it first opened – and that too is a truly fabulous experience! Its five Bubble Spa facilities include an outdoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub, aromatherapy steam room, Himalayan salt sauna, an outdoor Tyrolean kilo sauna, a Monsoon experience shower, foot spa and tranquillity lounge.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Cream tea is the served in the Brasserie between 3 and 5pm. After an active afternoon it was a real treat to look forward to. We were joined by my older daughter who was still on her university Christmas break – in February!?

This was a real cosy family affair with warm home-baked scones made on site making all the difference, served with fresh cream, strawberries and jam, tea, coffee or glass of bubbly. The selection of fruit and plain scones was a thoughtful touch, particularly in our case as one of the girls doesn’t like raisins.

In sunnier climes you can sit outside and dine al fresco.

The conservatory restaurant was buzzing on the evening we stayed. Dinner times are pre-booked between 6pm and 9.30pm, depending on availability. The food is excellent, and the service attentive and friendly.

Award-winning chef Ian Buckle sources the freshest of ingredients from local farms and traders, with an emphasis on modern classic dishes. Although a two-course dinner is included in this package, you can upgrade to three if you wish.

Being more of a savoury girl, I started with a winter vegan salad of caramelised walnut, orange, shaved pear and Balsamic vinegar. For mains, I chose the wild mushroom and sauteed spinach gnocchi, purple sprouting broccoli and parsley oil. Both dishes were gorgeously presented, perfectly cooked and delicious.

Other choices included roast vegetable and chickpea tagine served with apricot, chilli and mint cous cous; breast of chicken with celeriac puree; seared fillet of Staffordshire pork; a crisp fried chicken or ground beef burger with rustic chips; seafood risotto or salmon and prawn fish cake.

My youngest daughter – who is also vegetarian – happily tucked into the Moving Mountains plant-based burger in brioche roll with rustic chips; while the 20-year-old opted for a slow cooked beef pie with porcini, chestnuts and red wine.

The dessert menu is equally as tempting – the girls ordered mango cheesecake with passion fruit coulis and coconut sorbet; and a milk chocolate and salt caramel delice with caramel sauce, raspberry compote. They agreed both were lovely.

There’s also a great selection of wines and Champagne, plus cocktails. My older daughter and I enjoyed a glass of the tangy Chilean De Gras Sauvignon Blanc with hints of wild gooseberry and fennel.

The next day breakfast was a serve yourself buffet in the sun-soaked conservatory, with full English, toast, pastries, fresh fruits and cereals. Coffee and tea is served to your table by the waiting team.

This spring keep your eyes peeled for the launch of Sundays at the Lodge from the weekend of March 17 – a relaxed yet refined Sunday lunch dining experience in the log cabin lodge in a beautiful setting overlooking the lake.

STAY

There are 110 recently refurbished suites and bedrooms at Ardencote with family rooms and six accessible ground floor rooms and wheelchair-friendly wet rooms. My daughter and I stayed in a comfortable twin ensuite in the newer wing adjacent to the main hotel. The décor is traditional. It included a flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, ironing board, hairdryer, armchairs and desk. We had pretty views looking down onto landscaped gardens and trees at the rear of the hotel.

OUT & ABOUT

With the leisure facilities on offer at Ardencote there’s plenty here to keep you busy and great walks from within the grounds exploring the area. The hotel has put together handy guided maps and after breakfast on Sunday morning we set off on a 3-mile circular stroll via the picturesque tiny hamlet of Holywell. It was lovely and felt like you were in proper Shakespeare Country with some fantastic country piles, stables and scenic countryside to take in enroute.

But if you do fancy venturing further afield Warwick Castle, Hatton Country World and the Victorian Hill Close Gardens are not far; while in and around Stratford-upon-Avon you can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust, Stratford Butterfly Farm or see a play at The RSC.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Families seeking an action-packed break, the opportunity to indulge and relax, girly spa breaks, golfing or tennis trips, and fun times with your partner.

NOT FOR: If you want uber contemporary bedrooms this is not the place for you, the style here is more classical.

THE DAMAGE:

The excellent value-for money Seasonal Getaway Leisure Break offer is available all year round. We went on the Winter Getaway Leisure Break that ends 29th of February. The Spring Getaway Leisure Break is available March 1 – April 30 2024 from £72pp, Sunday – Friday, based on two people sharing. Check the hotel site for other leisure and spa packages here.

Ardencote Hotel and Spa, The Cumsey, Lye Green Road, Claverdon, Warwick, CV35. Tel: 01926 843111. Email: hotel@ardencote.com

Review: Ardencote, Warwick

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