Littlecote House is currently the closest Warners hotel to where we live. We chose a weekend there when Paul Ruck was performing Eric Clapton numbers. Once off the motorway the SatNav took us around some narrow lanes until we had to make an interesting right turn on bend. This lane then became even narrower until we turned off for the hotel. The driveway down to the hotel gave us an impressive first view.
At the bottom of the drive we turned left and stopped at the small hut to be greeted a member of staff. He was very friendly and after we had received our guest folder we chatted about the hotel and its history. Once he found where we were from we then chatted about the new Warners that would be opening up closer to us near Windsor at Runnymede. He directed us to keep driving along past the buildings and what look like old stables to a car park. We were warned that this would be muddy. We do need to arrive earlier at Warners hotels to ease our car parking!
Evening on the 13th
On our way to dinner we stopped at Reception and booked the excursion available the next day to ride on a steam train from Cheltenham.
Unlike our early experience at Alvaston Hall we ate in a different place to where the entertainment took place. We were seated on a table for two and to our surprise there was no buffet – each course was brought to us. But again differently to Alvaston there were lots of servers and our service was quick and efficient.
Sahara Blue
After our meal we moved to the Late Lounge and sat down to watch the house band perform followed by the evening’s main entertainment, the Welsh comedian Phil Doyle.
We had comfortable seat with lots of space and an enjoyable evening. The jokes may not always of been to our taste but overall we did enjoy the evening.
The block that contained our room could be reached by a side door by reception and then walking around a garden enclosed by old farm buildings. We then had a quick dash across open space to the door.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway on the 14th
Breakfast was in the same restaurant and opting for eggs, bacon etc meant we could go to a buffet. The service was again excellent.
From reception we walked up to the coach parked near the driveway. On the coach we had a member of staff who gave us a commentary about what we could see as we passed through the Cotswolds to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Near Littlecote House is the village, Aldbourne, where the troops of the 101st Airborne had been billetted before D-Day. Of immediate interest to me was the pub that Flo had told us about. This is famous for episodes of Dr Who with Daleks. The pub was off the main road and I am sure that I did catch a glimpse of a Dalek standing in the front beer garden.
We were given so much information that frankly I can’t recall it all for this blog!
Cheltenham Racecourse
After the coach ride we entered the racecourse and stopped past the station. Our party walked up the platform towards the waiting room and a small hut selling drinks.
While we waited for the train we had a cup of tea and chatted to fellow guests. Then we could see our train approaching.
The train ride
We sat at a table in our reserved carriage. I was by now peckish and I took the advice of the volunteer who had served me with tea to go to the buffet cat on the train. There was quite a queue as I think everyone else had heard about the fabulous bacon rolls on offer. I was given a number and went back to our seats to wait for my treat.
The train had by now left Cheltenham on its way to Broadway. The day had already provided us with a running commentary as we had travelled to Cheltenham, now our carriage had a volunteer dressed as a town crier with a very loud bell (and voice.)
Broadway station
Broadway on the 14th
After the station the coach took us to Broadway and we had lots of time there to explore.
Rainbow at Broadway
We had ice cream while we we waited for the coach and behind us this rainbow appeared.
Paul Ruck – The Cream of Clapton on 14th
The guest entertainer was Paul Ruck playing music by Eric Clapton.
Littlecote House on the 15th
After breakfast we explored the grounds.
The Roman Villa
In the grounds are the remains of a Roman villa.
The mosaic is included in Robert Harvey’s book – “Photographing Wiltshire” on page 132
Tour of the Old House
At reception in the old house we picked up headphones and listened to the audio tour that took us through the house. The rooms had lots of historical context including the spaces used by the officers of the 101st Airborne that were billeted there prior to D-Day.
In one of the rooms is a small museum, managed by the Kennet Valley at war trust.
We had lunch in the great hall of the house before going back to our room for a read. The entertainment on our last evening was provided by the Warner;s team performing “Bohemian Rock” in the Late Lounge.