Set in Shakespeare Country, Billesley Manor Hotel is simply 5 miles rural north-west of Stratford-upon-Avon. On the quick drive in to Stratford, you’ll move Mary Arden’s farm the place Shakespeare’s father grew-up and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
There had been a home on this website in Billesley since at the very least 705. Then, simply as Shakespeare was finishing Othello in 1603, work started constructing a stone Manor House to switch Billesley’s earlier wood construction. Late Victorian instances introduced each vital restoration and improvement to Billesley.
The welcome
In entrance of the reception, there may be an space for dropping off baggage.
Issuing keys and checking our dinner reservation, the receptionist takes our baggage and guides us up the steps to our room.
Chocolates await in our room, alongside a card wishing us a nice keep from the administration.
The room
A sturdy fireplace door and deep-pile carpets insulate our wing from any hubbub round reception and the bar. Room 1, of yesteryear beneficiant proportions however with modern styling, appears throughout the courtyard to parkland. Two vibrantly floral armchairs are strategically positioned for serene rural views.
Clusters of black-framed vertical feathers remind company that they’re within the nation, even when the calming gentle inexperienced curtains are drawn. A big midnight-blue alcove frames a king dimension mattress. Square-shade commonplace and desk lamps add a gilded trace of artwork deco glamour.
The toilet
Measure for Measure this ice-white toilet is massive, in all probability sufficiently big for a dressing room for a roving troupe of theatrical gamers in Shakespeare’s day.
Push-button controls function the rainfall bathe, hand-held bathe and bathtub water.
The amenities
Gins from the native Shakespeare Distillery function in a well-stocked bar. Oak panelling relationship from the sixteenth century, that includes heraldic crests, surrounds a big log-fire.
In summer season, company and non-residents take their drinks out onto a prolonged terrace over-looking the lawns, fountain and topiary gardens. The darkish wooden panelling flows into the Stuart Restaurant. Portraits of ruffed and long-departed Stuart gentleman look down on diners. Splashes and splotches of main colors lighten their sombre appears. Billesley Manor, and notably, it’s warmly accommodating employees, by no means take themselves too severely. Although the restaurant title refers again to the seventeenth century, there’s a gentle fashionable contact to the menu.
For starters, alongside a rabbit terrine, scallops, and duck leg confit, there’s a willingness to push boundaries with scorched pumpkin and truffle emulsion given an applicable crunch with pumpkin seeds.
Keeping sourcing recent and native wherever attainable, a trio of leeks is served with halibut, blackberries with the duck breast and parsnips with the pan seared hen supreme.
Unusually for a rustic lodge, the Spa and Health Club is a part of the principle constructing. No chilly outside stroll to entry an indoor swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center, steam and sauna rooms. There can be a yoga and train studio plus therapy rooms providing therapies by main spa model ESPA.
Location
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guild Hall is the place to start an exploration of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Stratford’s oak-timber, lime-washed wattle and daub Guild Hall was accomplished in 1420.
Featuring an enormous triple lock chest for accumulating duties and taxes, the counting home illustrates Stratford’s prosperity. Up above, a younger William Shakespeare sat in a category of fifty – 60 boys for seven years. In summer season, faculty started at 6am and completed at 5pm for six days per week: beginning at 7am in winter.
A college-master menacingly geared up with a birch, talks guests via a curriculum of bible research and the classics. Shakespeare’s formidable wheeling-dealing father, hoped that younger Will would turn into a lawyer. History information that 12 travelling teams of gamers visited the Guild Hall throughout Shakespeare’s schooldays and it’s their performances which appeared to have the best affect on Shakespeare.
A go to to Shakespeare’s Birthplace with its vibrant conventional nation gardens additional places Shakespeare’s life in context. Alongside the home is the workshop the place Shakespeare’s father’s enterprise created gloves. When you’ve lastly pieced collectively Shakespeare’s historical past, it’s time to watch one in all his performs on the RSC Theatre.
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Other good touches
Legend has it that Shakespeare wrote As You Like it, after a go to to Billesley Manor. Not solely is the As You Like It lounge book-lined, the lodge’s inside designer explodes books from the cabinets up onto the ceiling, as a tribute to Shakespeare’s creativity.
Artists’ depictions of scenes from Shakespeare’s romcom grasp on the partitions. Around the constructing and grounds there are reminders of Shakespeare. Next to a wicker hamper of blankets, for chill days on the terrace, there may be an ironic quote from Hamlet, “Neither a borrower or a lender be.”
The price
Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa charges begin from £139 per evening for Bed and Breakfast based mostly on two individuals sharing.
The finest bit
Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa introduces company to its historical past. When the Black Death devastated Billesley village’s inhabitants, the wood homes steadily decayed leaving solely the church and the Manor House. A map reveals the structure of the previous village.
Although the small eleventh century All Saints Church is now not often used it’s open for company to discover. Like different Warwickshire church buildings, there are rumours that it hosted the wedding of Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. However, there may be extra conclusive proof that Shakespeare’s grand-daughter’s bridal ceremony passed off there.
The last verdict
Appropriately, Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa’s by-line is “Luxury – As You Like It.” Although the Manor House’s place in historical past is revered, the lodge absolutely understands that at present’s company count on relaxed indulgence.
After a multi-million pound refurbishment throughout lock-down, it truly is a case of All’s Well That Ends Well. Today, Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa is a grand nation home lodge set in 11 tranquil acres.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa.