Welcome to the NEW Warner Journal. This is your back stage pass to see what goes on behind the scenes at Warner. From hotel updates to charity work and everything in between, this is your space to keep up to date with the lovely people who help make your holidays happen.
October has come to an end and now we’re officially on our way to the end of 2023. It’s been an exciting month, and we’re looking back at some of the things we got up to while also thinking ahead to some big dates in November.
On November 14th we’ll join the country in celebrating King Charles’ 75th Birthday. It’s his first one since the coronation back in May and will be celebrated again in June with the procession known as Trooping the Colour.
November 11th is Remembrance Day. As a country, we will gather to remember the sacrifices made by the members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives while serving during conflict and in the face of terrorism.
The 5th of November is Guy Fawkes Night! The day we all gather to remember the foiling of the gunpowder plot. How do you plan to celebrate this year? We’ll be keeping an eye out for bonfires and firework displays.
October 1st was International Coffee Day, and we celebrated by getting excited about our next coffee adventure: The Coffee Nest! It’ll be the place to go to make yourself at home and tuck into fresh bakes, a good book, or all the latest gossip from your friends. We’ve got big plans to introduce it to all our guests, starting with a menu of great drinks and freshly prepared treats which will be available at all our destinations by the end of the month.
This month, we made a big announcement about some very special 2024 breaks that are on sale now! Join us for the ultimate dance weekend experience and immerse yourself in all things Strictly Come Dancing. You can meet the professional dancers, attend expert dance classes, and watch one-of-a-kind demonstrations in our intimate venues. And don’t forget that the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing series has begun! Watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer each week to catch the show for yourself and get in the mood for dancing.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s annual Wales in Bloom competition took place in September, and we’re delighted to announce that our very own Bodelywyddan Castle won Gold and was also named Best in Category for Hotel Grounds and Frontage. We’re incredibly proud of our Grounds Team who have worked so hard to make this possible.
We’re very pleased to introduce a brand-new spa experience which is specifically designed for women going through the stages of menopause. The Menopause Relief and Mood Boosting treatment is an hour-long indulgence focusing on the cleansing and revitalisation of the skin on your face, neck, and decolletage. The Spa’rty is a 30-minute session focused on giving you the guidance you need to keep fit and strong as your body changes.
In late September, an episode of Time Team aired that featured our much-loved Littlecote House. Sir Tony Robinson, the show’s presenter, stayed with us last May while working on a dig in nearby Aldbourne for a WWII/Band of Brothers special episode. As the soldiers they were discussing were once stationed at Littlecote House, the crew were keen to get some shots of the hotel too, with the front of the house and the library being the key focal points. Sir Tony Robinson even took time out of his busy day to talk to our team and take photos with them.
We can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we opened Heythrop Park! Time really does fly when you’re having fun.
It may be the hotel that we’re singing Happy Birthday to, but it could be you who gets a gift! You could be in for a chance to win a three-night stay at this glorious estate in the Cotswolds. Visit our Facebook page for more information about how to enter.
Did you know August 7th – 13th was Afternoon Tea Week?
If you know us, you know how much we love a cuppa with some sweet and savoury treats, and if you do too but didn’t get the chance to celebrate this month, you still can! No matter which of our hotels you visit you can treat yourself or a loved one to a traditional afternoon tea, and you can even upgrade to enjoy a glass of something sparkling.
On the weekend of July 15th and 16th, a group of Mighty Hikers from our Hemel Support Office raised a whopping £4,624 when they took part in 26 and 13-mile hikes along the Thames Path in Windsor. This was part of our ongoing goal of raising £50k in 2023 for our chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.
We’re always delighted to do our part to help fund their vital work, with teams across many our hotels hosting their own fundraising events this month too. For example, Gunton Hall raised £586 by taking turns to collectively cycle a distance equal to visiting all 15 of our hotels, which came to 977 miles. Similarly, Bembridge Coast raised £640 when the team embarked on the ‘Around the Island’ cycling challenge, which saw them taking turns to cycle 186 miles.
Stay tuned to see what we get up to next month!
Between 2017 and 2022, Warner has raised over £920,000. The money we have raised has paid for:
This month, Nidd Hall in North Yorkshire opened their new tennis courts, offering guests some Wimbledon inspiration with their flashy purple finish and fresh touches.
With this change comes the opportunity for guests to improve their skills in a session with a real tennis coach. This update was also accompanied by improvements to the bowling green, which is now also going to be used for laser clay, an activity much akin to clay pigeon shooting. Both areas were worked on over the course of 6 days and finished just in time for guests to enjoy them in the warm weather. They now sit as a lovely addition to the already stunning views across the grounds and down to the lake.
More than just a room, discover what a Warner break might look like for you.
A collection of 16 incredible properties in stunning locations across the UK.
