Warners @ Holme Lacy, Hereford
Since our first Warners short break to Cricket St Thomas in 2022, the popularity has continued as we use these lovely hotels as great bases to see different parts of the country. I’m pleased to say that our visit in June is to another new property for us as we stay at Holme Lacy, just outside Hereford. Staying at this beautiful Georgian manor house, we have the opportunity to explore North, South and West, with our itinerary including a lovely mix of destinations for those that choose to join our optional excursions. Alternatively, you may prefer to make the most of the hotel’s facilities and surroundings. Set in 20 acres of parkland, surrounding the main house are the formal gardens which were restored to their original design, teamed with a spacious terrace overlooking the lake.
Famous for their nightly entertainment, daily leisure activities and with a great reputation for food and customer service, Warners has been entertaining its guests for 90 years, with all their properties becoming adult only in 1994. Our 4 night / 5 day stay at Holme Lacy will see us benefit from all the usual things you would expect on a Warner Leisure Hotels break. Whilst precise details might change slightly, we expect to take a lunch break en route to our hotel. Stopping at Swindon, there will be the chance to visit STEAM – the Great Western Railway Museum, or you can peruse the designer outlet next door, going early on the retail therapy! Alternatively, just relax and grab a light lunch. On our return journey we will stop in the beautiful market town of Newbury. Dropping by the river, there might even be the chance to take a boat ride on the River Kennet or just relax and watch the world go by with a coffee, or something stronger.
Our optional excursions will include a visit to Hereford, with the world’s largest cider museum and their historic Cathedral as two of the city’s highlights. Crossing the border into Wales we take a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway, and visiting Symonds Yat just outside Ross-on-Wye offers us the chance to take a river cruise followed by a cream tea and sandwiches. There will also be additional time to enjoy the tranquil riverside setting or to visit the neighbouring Butterfly Zoo or play some adventure golf!
The basic cost of the trip will be £599 per person based on two sharing a twin or double standard room. For all other room types, please contact me for the options available. Please see below for a more detailed itinerary and what is included in the price.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 4 nights’ accommodation in a Standard room on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
- Luxury coach travel throughout
- Warner’s Entertainment nightly
- Use of Warner’s leisure facilities
- Visits to Swindon and Newbury
Optional Excursions
- Hereford
- Symonds Yat
- Brecon Mountain Railway
YOUR ITINERARY
MONDAY – will find us leaving from behind the Dorking Halls at 9am, with a view to avoiding the worst of the rush hour traffic and ensuring a relaxing journey as we head to Swindon. Here there is plenty of variety from first class shopping options to a heritage railway museum. There are plenty of options for lunch as well, but don’t eat too much and spoil your dinner! When done we will head to the hotel with time to check-in and acquaint ourselves with the surroundings before dinner and of course the evening entertainment.
TUESDAY – leaving after a leisurely breakfast, today we visit Hereford. Nestled on the River Wye, I can always look to organise a guided tour of their fascinating Cathedral with its mediaeval treasures, if that would be of interest. Alternatively, you can fill your time however you wish. The world’s largest cider museum is within walking distance of our drop off point, or just soak up the atmosphere along Church Street with its many independent shops and al fresco café culture. Keep on walking and you find High Town the original and existing marketplace. Here you can grab a snap of the Old House, an impressive 17th century timberframed building.
WEDNESDAY – today you can join us on a relaxing river cruise on the River Wye. At Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley, we take our 40-minute return cruise, following which we will enjoy a cream tea with sandwiches at the Old Court Hotel. If the river cruise is not for you, you can still join us for our lunch and explore the pretty village setting independently. With a Butterfly Zoo right by our drop-off, Adventure Golf next door and a 13th Century church, St Dubricius, just a short walk away, there really is something for everyone.
THURSDAY – on our final full day we head over the border to Wales. Today we will enjoy a 9.5-mile scenic heritage train journey. Starting at the station at Pant, just north of Merthr Tydfil, our journey takes us through the heart of the Brecon Beacons reaching one of the highest railway summits in Britain. With time beforehand and a stop en route, grab a drink or a bite to eat and take in the beautiful surroundings. A lovely way to conclude our excursions.
FRIDAY – leaving the hotel at around 9.30am en route home we will take in the market town of Newbury. With plenty of time for lunch, the riverside setting means we could consider another boat ride along the river, if there was interest. Alternatively, cross the river and enjoy Victoria Park with its bandstand and boating pond. Right by our drop off point is the West Berkshire Museum, but don’t forget any last-minute shopping before we leave in time to arrive back in Dorking, late afternoon.
