Warner Leisure Hotels Takes Historic Cricket St Thomas Into A New Era
Released on: August 03, 2010, 4:58 am
Author:
Warner Leisure Hotels
Industry: Travel
The Warner Leisure Hotels owned historic grade-II Cricket St
Thomas Hotel near Chard, Somerset, has formally opened its gardens
following a major landscaping and restoration project.
£300,000 has already been invested in the project which has opened up the glorious
vistas of one of Somerset's most beautiful valleys. Covering around 160 acres the
gardens include designs by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner Kate Gould, and a
rose garden maze in the shape of a rose bud.
The project forms part of a £3 million investment by UK Breaks specialist, Warner Leisure Hotels.
The formal opening of the gardens and lakes also sees the launch of an exciting new
venture for the Cricket St Thomas Hotel with the introduction of an Italian style
restaurant within the former walled gardens of the country house. Representing an
investment of around £200,000 the new Fenocchi's restaurant will offer authentic
Tuscan style cuisine prepared by award-winning chef Jason Eland for both hotel
guests and visitors to the gardens.
Other major redevelopments at Cricket St Thomas include a stylish upgrade of the
Tree Tops restaurant and refurbishment of the historic old house, with a new wing
opening comprising 22 stylish new Signature rooms which are due in August.
The opening of the gardens and lakes marks a new era in the history of the estate,
which dates back to the 12th century. Originally created in the 19th century by the
second Lord Bridport the gardens feature a chain of lakes and cascades, as well as
formal ornamental gardens. As part of the restoration the lakes have been drained
and cleaned and a new water feature created at the entrance to the estate.
The lawns of the elegant Regency country mansion, which appeared in the TV sitcom
'To the Manor Born', still feature the large cedars under which Lord Nelson and
Lady Hamilton are believed to have spent many happy hours.
Work on the gardens is scheduled to continue over the next three years with visitors
voting on how they want to see the project develop.
Ian Gyte, General Manager of Cricket St Thomas hotel, said: "The new Lakes and
Gardens are a stunning testament to the long heritage of Cricket St Thomas whilst
taking the gardens firmly into the 21st century. They offer a new opportunity for
the thousands of visitors and local residents we are welcoming this year to enjoy
one of Somerset's most glorious landscapes.
"The garden project will last a total of three years and it will be fascinating to
see how they evolve as the work progresses. The opening of the new restaurant and
the investment in the hotel are also hugely exciting and clearly demonstrate our
continuing confidence in offering superb facilities for our guests and visitors to
enjoy."
Gardener Kate Gould commented: "What Warner Leisure Hotels are doing is no small
feat and it will be fascinating to see the gardens develop as the plans take
shape."
The gardens are open daily until the end of September. Children under five go free
and the gardens are free to hotel break guests.
Ends
About Warner Leisure Hotels:
Exclusively for adults, Warner Leisure Hotels enjoys an occupancy rate of 95% in its
portfolio of 13 properties across the UK. Warner Leisure Hotels offers a wide choice
and style of hotel breaks, each with its own personality. Renowned for its Weekend
Breaks and
seasonal offers with Christmas Breaks and New
Year Breaks, the chain is also known for its wide range of experiences, offering more than 600
additional activities and UK breaks from hot air balloon trips and antiques with
TV's Eric Knowles to trips on the Orient-Express and numerous dance breaks.
For media information and photographs please contact:
Deborah McCabe
Warner Leisure Hotels
1 Park Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP4 3QS
01444 235 154
www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
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