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Diamond dozen experiences around Coventry & Warwickshire

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Diamond dozen experiences around Coventry & Warwickshire

Coventry & Warwickshire are at the heart of England and the very heart of royal history and romance. Little wonder we’re celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in genuine style. Come on a memorable royal break or tour, join jousting and feasting – even pop the ‘diamond question’. The Big Ticket also links great destinations at great prices. Our Diamond Jubilee dozen experiences give a taster of what’s in store.

1.       Best diamond breaks

Be pampered like royalty on a sumptuous Diamond Jubilee break at some of England’s top – and quirkiest – accommodation. Maybe begin the Jubilee Weekend in style at 4-star Ettington Park Hotel, Alderminster: the Neo-Gothic mansion’s Jubilee Friday Night Club features Royal Afternoon Tea, three-course table d’hote dinner, accommodation and full traditional breakfast, plus use of the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi (from £199 per couple, 1 June).

Four-star Lea Marston Hotel, near Coleshill, will welcome you with a gorgeous box of chocolates, Royal Afternoon Tea, a chance to relax in the stunning health club and scrumptious full English breakfast next morning (from £44 pppn, 31 May-10 June). Or how about an exquisite two-night Jubilee Spa Break for Two at 4-star Ardencote Manor, Claverdon: relax with an indulgent Jubilee Spa Ritual massage and manicure, as well as all the delights of traditional country manor house living (£189 per person, 1-30 June).

Even get away from it all at Landmark Trust’s The Bath House. Hidden in woodland near Stratford-upon-Avon and eccentrically decorated with shells, the former bathing venue for 18th-century fashionistas sleeps two – the perfect Jubilee Weekend Break escape (£921, 5 nights from 1 June).

2.       Best royal tour

British monarchs have been famous for going on royal progress around the land and Warwickshire, at the heart of England, has been in the thick of aristocratic activity. Create your own three-day progress around Royal Warwickshire, touring Warwick and Kenilworth Castles to discover tales of romance and rebellion; Royal Leamington Spa, Charlecote Park, Ragley Hall and Coughton Court for princely architecture and plots. There’s plenty of fine dining along the way!

3.       Best royal cavalcades

Whatever your transport around Warwickshire’s royal hotspots, take a look at the way monarchs hit the road. As part of a Jubilee week of exciting family activities, the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, is hosting a Royal Cars exhibition, including a 1983 Land Rover 110 station wagon used on the Queen’s private estates at Sandringham and Balmoral (Her Majesty learned to drive in 1945). Royalty on the Road at Coventry Transport Museum brings together a fascinating range of vehicles from superb Daimler limousines to the Austin Metro given to Diana Spencer by Prince Charles. (Royal Cars, 2-10 June; Royalty on the Road, to 10 June.)

4.       Best for royal child’s play

Who wants to be king or queen? There’s no need to wave magic wands, simply bring the kids to Compton Verney art gallery for some right royal half-term fun. They can make their own crowns and pose as a Tudor monarch – find oodles of inspiration in the gallery’s portrait collection of royalty and nobles – while children under five can also join storytellers and share the Diamond Jubilee adventures of puppets Connie and Verne. (A royal likeness, 2-8 June; A royal visit: storytelling for under 5’s, 4-8 June.)

5.       Best Big Lunches

The Queen specifically requested that the Big Lunch be part of national festivities and local communities are rising to the occasion on 3 June with street parties and picnics, from Warwick to Ryton Pools Country Park and Kingsbury Water Park – where children can also let off steam with lots of holiday activities. Enjoy a giant picnic and games at the National Trust’s Packwood House or Baddesley Clinton. Or fill a tasty hamper with Warwickshire’s famously mouthwatering local produce and tap toes to live music al fresco at Charlecote Park (National Trust) where Shakespeare allegedly poached deer for dinner.

6.       Best diamond garden party

Gather on the South Terrace at the National Trust’s Upton House, near Banbury, as sounds of 1930s gramophone records waft across the airwaves – a truly genteel Diamond Jubilee Garden Party. Sip your Champagne or cocktails and maybe feel inspired to drop into one of the art workshops that run throughout the day. Some 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake may be consumed at a typical garden party at Buckingham Palace, but nothing matches the temptations of Upton’s traditional sweet shop for those between-meal moments. (Diamond Jubilee Garden Party, 4 June.)

7.       Best diamond afternoon teas

Surprise the love of your life with an Eden Diamond Afternoon Tea. Book ahead at the Eden Hotel Collection’s 3-star Mallory Court Hotel, Royal Leamington Spa, or 4-star The Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, and alongside traditional afternoon fare with Champagne you can have a diamond served up – perfect if you’ve an anniversary around Jubilee time, or want to pop the question. Discuss your requirements in advance with the General Manager to have a bespoke piece of jewellery commissioned (price on enquiry). Less glittery but still glorious, both hotels also offer special Jubilee teas without the diamonds (Mallory Court, 4 June; The Arden Hotel, 5 June).

Alternatively, at The Bluebell, Henley-in-Arden, you can  savour a ‘Red, White and Bluebell’ vintage afternoon tea featuring fine finger sandwiches (including Coronation Chicken), ‘Queen of Hearts’ strawberry tarts and ‘Crown’ cookies to take away (1 May-9 June). The 500-year-old inn shares the same butcher (Aubrey Allen) as the Queen and believes, when it comes to food, British is best and local is better.  You’ll also spot some patriotic ‘Royal Rovers’ by artist Alison Fennell, who is exhibiting work here in May and June.

8.       Best for ’50s footwork

Get your dancing shoes on for an authentic 1950s Jailhouse Jive night out to celebrate the Jubilee, at the historic Old Courts, Warwick. Show off your moves to rock ’n roll and jive music by local band Phoenix, or grab the opportunity to learn to jive with experts from Planet Dance. In slightly more sedate mood, step around Leamington Spa on an entertaining 1950s town tour to see Jubilee themed windows and hear about 1950s shopping, leisure and the celebrated Leamington Lights. (Jailhouse Jive, Warwick, 2 June; 1950s town tour, Leamington Spa, 3 June.)

9.       Best for a Jubilee joust

Relive the thrill and pageantry of a royal joust at Warwick Castle, amid clashing lances, thundering hooves, racing hearts and cheers. You’ll also meet a host of historic characters around the towers, ramparts and grounds of Britain’s ultimate medieval fortress. From the scheming of Richard Neville, the Kingmaker, to the secrets of a Victorian Royal Weekend Party, Warwick holds the key to countless regal dramas through the ages. (Diamond Jubilee and Royal Jousting, 2-10 June.)

10.   Best for royal time travel

Follow in the historic steps of the first Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden (English Heritage) and get ready to rub shoulders with royalty. Brush up your regal manner then join Time Travellers Go… Royal for absorbing games and crafts fit for a king or queen. Do remember your courtly airs and graces when you bump into noble characters from days gone by. (Time Travellers Go… Royal, 3-5 June.)

11.   Best double Jubilee

While the Queen celebrates Diamond, Coventry Cathedral marks its Golden Jubilee throughout 2012 with a rich programme of events that highlights its cherished place in the community as a centre of worship and cultural activity. The Queen came for the cathedral’s consecration in 1962 and Princess Anne will attend a special service on 25 May. Check the calendar for concerts and recitals, and come and enjoy the nation’s favourite 20th-century building.

12.   Best for Liz and Phil

Calling all couples named Liz and Phil! Several attractions, hotels and restaurants are making ‘Free Elizabeth and Philip’ offers to crown the Jubilee Weekend. You’ll need ID and it’s probably too late to change your names, but lucky Liz’s and Phil’s should check out the free admission to the Tudor World museum at The Falstaff Experience, a fantastic day’s motoring from The Open Road Classic Car Hire, complimentary Champagne at 5-star White-Sails guesthouse in Stratford-upon-Avon, and much more.

Bumper year for country park visitor numbers

Warwickshire’s Country Parks have enjoyed a record breaking year with more people enjoying the parks than ever before.

Visitor numbers, at Kingsbury Water Park were up 8.6 per cent on last year, with record breaking visitor numbers in April, August and October meaning shorts, T-shirts and ice-creams flavour of the month in the ‘Indian summer’ sunshine! The New Year was also off to a great start thanks to the fine early Spring weather.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities, said: “It is fantastic to see our country parks doing so well and it is testament to our hard working staff, volunteers and partners who work so hard to keep the sites so clean and welcoming and offering terrific value.”

Country Parks Manager Paula Cheesman added: “The economic downturn and the rise of the ‘staycation’ has meant that people are looking for great value local days out for the family – and Warwickshire’s country parks are the perfect place to visit.

“The new Lake View play area installed at Kingsbury last July has been a huge hit, alongside a great events programme providing activities for all ages during the school holidays.”

The country parks service continues to develop, and in response to our visitor surveys we have introduced pedal boat hire at Kingsbury this season, a new toilet block/tea kiosk at Hartshill Hayes is currently under construction, and an exciting new play area is coming to Ryton Pools Country Park later this year.

Green spaces can play a vital role in our health and well-being and access to a park or green space can have wide-ranging benefits through exercise, fresh air, informal sport. access to nature or just somewhere to relax and unwind.

Warwickshire’s country parks comprise over 1,500 acres of the finest countryside offering something for everyone.  For more details log on to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks, visit the Facebook page, or pick up a free events booklet from our Visitor Centres at Kingsbury, Pooley or Ryton.

 

Olympic football draw brings 14 countries to the region

The region is gearing up to welcome 14 countries to the city after the draw was made for the London 2012 football tournaments.

Both the men’s and women’s teams from Japan and the highly rated Mexican men’s team will all play games at the City of Coventry Stadium from July 25 – while Senegal who secured their spot at London 2012 with a 2-0 victory over Oman on Tuesday will return on 1 August.

Senegal, who clinched their place with a 2-0 win over Oman, face their last group game against United Arab Emirates.

Their coach, former Birmingham City coach Aliou Cisse, said: “We were welcomed very well in Coventry and it will be very good to be returning to the city once again.”

Fixtures at the City of Coventry Stadium:

25 July – Women’s

Japan v Canada 5pm

Sweden v South Africa 7.45pm

26 July – Men

Belarus v New Zealand 7.45pm

28 July – Women’s

Japan v Sweden 12noon

Canada v South Africa 2.45pm

29 July – Men’s

Mexico v Gabon 2.30pm

Korea Republic v Switzerland 5.15pm

31 July – Women

New Zealand v Cameroon 7.45pm

1 August – Men’s

Japan v Honduras 5pm

Senegal v UAE 7.45pm

New developments at Warwickshire’s country parks

As the Spring season kicks off Warwickshire’s Country Parks are delighted to announce that visitors will see some exciting new developments across our parks service in 2012.

From March 31, Kingsbury Water Park welcomes Captain Splash and the Pedal Boat Company who will be based at Mitchells Pool, next to Far Leys play area (which can be accessed on foot or on Sundays via a short train ride on Echill’s Wood Railway) offering pedal boat hire during weekends, school holidays and bank holidays from 10am – 6pm (subject to weather).

At Hartshill Hayes Country Park work will be starting on constructing the new toilet block which will contain our ranger office and a refreshment kiosk for visitors.  Work is due to start at Easter and will be followed by improvements to the courtyard area and an outdoor shelter for visitors to picnic out of the elements.

At Pooley Country Park, the wharf area is rented out to Drayton Narrowboat Hire Ltd.  The dedicated and passionate narrowboat owners – Alan Tingey, Andrew Baylis and Tony Cowley – are taking narrowboat holidays and narrowboat rental to a new level of luxury & comfort desired by today’s discerning customer. Drayton Narrowboat Hire Ltd will soon be operating day hires from Pooley Wharf and bringing boating opportunities to Pooley visitors with this exciting new enterprise.

Cllr Helen Walton, Warwickshire County Council’s spokesperson for the Communities Group, said “All of these much needed improvements have come about thanks largely to the continued support of visitors coming to Warwickshire’s Country Parks, meaning that we are able to attract new and exciting local businesses to work with us to provide additional facilities and services.”

Country Parks continue to be a major attraction in the region and with big events such as the Jubilee and the Olympics in 2012, it is hoped that tourists visiting the area will take time out to enjoy the many activities on offer over the summer at some of Warwickshire’s best loved green spaces.

For more information on Country Parks visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks or the Warwickshire Country Parks page on Facebook.

 

National acclaim for rural tourism

A successful campaign to bring more tourists to the Warwickshire countryside is being highlighted in a nationwide magazine next month.

BBC1’s popular Countryfile spin-off magazine is to profile some the best of rural south Warwickshire’s tourism assets and experiences resulting from an 18 month programme to develop and promote rural tourism within the county.

The Countryfile feature, due to be published on April 6, has formed part of the wider Welcome to the Countryside programme, which has been funded by the Rural Development Programme for England.

The programme, which draws to a close this Spring, has focused on developing and promoting Warwickshire as a rural short break destination.  Key activities and successes have included:

Development of a new tourism micro-site Within Warwickshire, which showcases the best of rural Warwickshire

  • Press trips to rural Warwickshire by national and international media – A total of 51 different tourism businesses have benefited form press visits and we’ve achieved some excellent coverage
  • Advertising in the Good Pub Guide 2012 – which has profiled rural Warwickshire to over 50,000 people who will purchase the guide and everyone who reads it.  The guide is produced annually, but has a two year shelf life to deliver additional benefits beyond the life of the programme
  • Facilitating 120 dedicated speed business date meetings between regional producers and Warwickshire visitor attractions – generating in excess of £10,000 new sales
  • Development of a toolkit encouraging the use of local produce as part of festivals and events
  • Initiating collaborative workshops between cycle hire providers and  rural accommodation providers
  • Profiling of local food and drink, walking and cycling trails, locally distinctive festivals and events and rural arts and culture

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council‘s Portfolio Holder for tourism, said: “The delivery of the Welcome to the Countryside programme has made a significant contribution to the development and marketing of rural tourism within Warwickshire.

“The project has formed a significant part of our contribution to developing the visitor economy over the past 18 months and has delivered tangible benefits to those businesses that have taken the time to get involved.

“We know that rural Warwickshire has a strong appeal for our visitors and we are appreciative of the funding support to enable us to maximise further growth opportunities.

“Credit must also go to everyone involved, including the many rural tourism businesses who have either participated as part of the development workshops, or have contributed as part of the press trips.

“Collectively, their inputs have helped achieve the programme objectives, by raising the profile of rural Warwickshire as a short break destination.”

Cllr Hayfield added that the programme’s funding sponsor DEFRA has now agreed to fund a limited extension of the programme to target Spring visitors to Warwickshire.

Duncan Taylor proprietor of The Bluebell in Henley-in-Arden and one of the project beneficiaries, commented: “I would like to thank the Welcome to the Countryside programme for all the promotional work it has done for us. In some respects this is one of the most important things for a business of our size to be doing, but very often gets neglected in favour of concentrating on the nuts and bolts of running a business.

“Having a strong local reputation is one thing The Bluebell has worked hard to achieve, but we always see a noticeable uplift in visits to the website and telephone enquiries from further afield as a result of marketing activity such as Welcome to the Countryside – it is then up to us to translate this into satisfied customers who will want to return to The Bluebell time and time again.”

A final project evaluation report will be submitted to DEFRA, the programme sponsor, in April.

Work begins on town centre improvements

Work on making Warwick more user-friendly for pedestrians is to begin on Monday (March 12) for completion in early summer.

The scheme will see four new crossings installed in High Street and Jury Street to rebalance space between vehicles and people. It will make it more enjoyable to walk around the town centre and deter some of the 80 per cent of the drivers using town centre streets just to pass through, reducing the level of air pollution.

The existing number of car parking spaces will be retained but some will be moved to the opposite side of the streets to meet businesses’ needs, and to contribute to slowing down vehicles. Islands in the middle of four new raised paved crossings will do more towards this, making it easier for people on foot much to cross.

During the work all the town centre’s businesses will be open as usual, but temporary traffic lights and diversions will be in place. Drivers passing through the town centre will be advised to choose other routes, to minimise congestion.

Cllr Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, said: “This is a hugely important scheme for the town which will reduce traffic speeds and make it easier and safer for pedestrians. We have ensured that the design of crossing features and the choice of materials is in-keeping with the very fine town setting.

“We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum and ask that motorists and pedestrians bear with us while the work is carried out.”

Warwickshire County Council has spent many months talking to local residents and businesses, plus organisations including the Warwick Society and the Chamber of Trade, to identify ways in which High Street and Jury Street can be improved.

Walter Block from the Warwick Town Centre Forum said: “The joint Forum and Warwickshire County Council project team has worked closely with residents and businesses in round table meetings to achieve consensus on the measures now being implemented. We look forward to seeing the work completed, and the benefits that it will bring to the town centre and those who live here, work here and visit.”