While visiting family in Hampshire, I decided to make a weekend of it and accept an invitation to make our base the newly rebranded voco® Winchester Hotel & Spa.
Previously part of the Holiday Inn group of hotels, we were lucky enough to be among the first to have the voco® experience as the wraps came off a £2m refurbishment.
The contemporary hotel, which was first built in 2010, is located on the edge of the beautiful South Downs National Park and within 5 minutes from Winchester City Centre.
The 131 stylish bedrooms consist of double, twin, accessible, premium and grand rooms, plus a suite. Since the refurbishment all rooms have benefited from an improvement in quality and service. The brand new premium and grand rooms now offer an elevated level of luxury with little touches that make the stay a more memorable one – from bathrobe and slippers, new bedding, to Nespresso machines, and – my favourite feature – complimentary mini bars containing canned wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, chocolate and savoury treats. Perfect for those late-night munchies.
Our executive room was extremely spacious and comfortable – the feature retro telephone was a nice style touch – but it’s the fresh and contemporary open lobby area that gives an impressive first impression on arrival. I could very happily have whiled away the day soaking up the café culture of this relaxing and welcoming space. A great place to crack open the laptop and catch up on a bit of work too.
The new identity blends the comfort and reliability of Holiday Inn with the distinct charm, unique character, and personalised touches that voco® hotels are known for. And I would recommend this as a great stopover while on a pleasure or business trip in the area. (Nine adaptable meeting and events spaces are well tailored for corporate needs.)
Sadly, my tight schedule meant I was unable to indulge in a visit to the hotel’s Ana Spa – which features a Hydro- Pool, Himalayan Salt Sauna, Sensory Shower, Crystal Steam Room and Bubble Foot Spa – or take full advantage of the Kitchen 21 restaurant – renowned for its 21-inch pizza! But I can vouch for breakfast which was fresh and hearty with enough choice to fuel us up for the busy day of exploring ahead.
The hotel prides itself on offering ‘the perfect blend of Winchester’s rich heritage and modern amenities’ and is the perfect base from which to enjoy the many sights and attractions in this often-overlooked part of the country.
Find out about more to do in Winchester here.
What we did in the area. . .
Marwell Zoo, Winchester
Just eight miles from Winchester, Marwell Zoo is a must if you find yourself in the area.
But allow plenty of time (at least four hours recommended) to enjoy your day as there is a huge variety of species spread across 140 acres, to visit.
As a parent of two boys with differing tastes, zoos have been a staple that we can all agree on for a day out, at all ages (they’re now young men!) and so, we’ve frequented quite a few! But Marwell still managed to deliver a new experience as we came into contact with many new species we couldn’t recall seeing before.
One of the highlights though was most definitely meeting Marwell’s newest addition – a beautiful Rothschild giraffe calf – a species listed as ‘near threatened’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
A useful app is available to download with map and information on feeding times and shows – and if, like us, you arrive on a damp day, there’s plenty of sheltered animal houses in which to enjoy rest bite from the elements.
For a fabulous day out suitable for all members of the family, I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Marwell. Have fun while supporting the great work they do there.
Beaulieu Motor Museum, New Forest
Another one for all ages, award-winning Beaulieu is one of the leading attractions in the UK and visitors have been exploring the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey since 1912. In 1952, Edward, Lord Montagu opened Palace House and Gardens to the public for the first time – making Beaulieu among the first ‘stately homes’ to admit visitors.
Inspired by his late father, John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, who was a motoring advocate and pioneer at the turn of the last century, the Montagu Motor Museum would develop. Supported by the British motor industry and enthusiasts, the museum continued its expansion, becoming the National Motor Museum in 1972 – the most fantastic treasure trove for petrol heads containing a world-famous collection of vehicles and associated motoring archives.
Aside from the Motor Museum, Palace House and Abbey, there are plenty of hidden gems at this jewel of a day out. Walk – or catch the veteran bus or monorail – to discover the Secret Army Exhibition, On Screen Cars exhibition, Art Russe at The Clock House and grounds and gardens, incorporating Little Beaulieu – perfect for the little ones to let off some steam of their own.
Make this place the top of your list while in the area.
Southampton
A vibrant and lively port city, Southampton is bursting with experiences. Our brief evening visit for dinner led us to West Quay South which boasts a diverse range of bars and restaurants and busy shopping scene.
Should you find yourself here for longer, be sure to take time to walk the walls, stretching along the Esplanade towards Old Town’s Town Quay. Here you can walk alongside and even atop some of these fantastic pieces of Southampton’s history. Most notably, Southampton was home to many of the passengers and crew that departed on RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage. Dedicated to those who perished in the 1912 ship’s sinking, there are a number of memorials and other points of interest to visit around the city.
And if this your thing, don’t miss the fascinating SeaCity Museum, where you can discover Southampton’s Titanic story in more depth.
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