Michelin Stars 2012 – Cheltenham a worthy gastronomic destination

Posted on October 12, 2011 by jo

The Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland 2012 has just been released and three nearby Gloucestershire restaurants have been awarded the coveted stars.

The latest edition of this world famous gastronomic guide sees Cheltenham’s Le Champignon Sauvage retain its two-star rating yet again and is just one of 17 restaurants throughout Great Britain and Ireland to be awarded two stars which signify ‘’excellent cooking / worth making a detour’’.  The modern French cooking of Le Champignon Sauvage, which serves such delights as seared scallops with cauliflower puree, cumin veloute and ras-el-hanout caramel, has long been a firm favourite of both local and travelling foodies alike.  This gastronomic sensation is located in The Suffolks within walking distance of Hilden House, making us the ideal place to stay after sampling its delights.  A combination truly worth making the detour!

Elsewhere in the area 5 North Street in nearby Winchcombe and the Lords of the Manor restaurant in Upper Slaughter have again been awarded one Michelin star.

To see a full list of our recommended places to eat out in Cheltenham, please click here.

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Cotswold Way by Day – Cheltenham Hot Spots by Night

Posted on October 5, 2011 by jo

Who would think that you could be rambling amongst picturesque hills and autumnal woodlands during the day and then sipping cocktails in an exciting bar or enjoying the theatre that same evening?  A weekend of walking amidst the outstanding Cotswold countryside does not mean you have to spend your evenings with a pint of beer and droopy chips in a sleepy remote pub.  At least not if you choose to take advantage of Hilden Lodge’s Walkers’ Weekend offer of two nights accommodation, breakfast and packed lunches for two people all for £155 (not including Bank Holidays and subject to availability).  Our award-winning breakfasts and our personally tailored packed lunches will sustain you through your day’s walking; and for the evening you can enjoy Cheltenham’s array of fine dining and multicultural cuisines.  Alternatively, many of our rooms have ensuite baths, which the more exhausted walkers can enjoy before selecting a free DVD from our library.

Hilden Lodge’s location on the outskirts of Cheltenham makes it an ideal base for a walking break to explore the picturesque northern part of the Cotswolds. Hilden Lodge is situated within walking distance of the Cotswold Way, the famous walk which starts in the market town of Chipping Campden and stretches along the Cotswolds escarpment all the way to Bath.  One of the most eye-catching stretches of the Cotswold Way is the ‘Leckhampton Loop’, which is just an eight minute drive from Hilden Lodge.

We have been welcoming walkers at Hilden Lodge for many years and are listed on the Ramblers website.

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Celebrity spotting at the Literature Festival

Posted on September 12, 2011 by jo

It’s time for another Cheltenham Festival …. The Times Literature Festival takes place 7th – 16th October 2011 and promises to be bigger and better than ever with 500 events and 600 speakers.  An impressive array of famous names will be appearing – including Joanna Lumley, David Walliams, Melvyn Bragg, Jeffrey Archer, Julian Fellowes, Robert Lindsay, Sebastian Faulks, Pamela Stephenson, Sue Johnston, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ed Balls, Terry Wogan who will all be talking about their latest works.

The festival has outgrown its traditional venues and so this year a new ‘literary quarter’ will be added in Montpellier Gardens just two minutes walk from the tented village on Imperial Square.  You’ll also find a huge Waterstone’s book tent and two brand new, unique dining experiences, Spiegeltent Bistro and the Feastfest Food Hall.  Click here for venue maps & visitor information.

Hilden House looks forward to welcoming all book worms and celebrity-spotters alike!

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Children in Cheltenham

Posted on July 18, 2011 by jo

The school summer holidays are already upon us again and we can think of no better place than Cheltenham to keep your little ones entertained during a perfect summer break.  There are numerous events and activites being held at The Brewery in Cheltenham over the holiday period from magic shows and science experiments to a 24 feet climbing wall and free mini fun fair.  When the sun is shining then the Sandford Parks Lido is a children’s paradise of water fun and when the weather is not so good, why not indulge your children’s creative side at The Paint it Yourself Pottery Co?

Further afield, we would highly recommend a trip to the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, where throughout the summer holidays you can explore the vast nature reserve via a Land Rover safari out on to the Severn Estuary.  Another firm favourite of ours is the Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury which has an action-packed schedule of events including nature trails, ‘Life beneath our Feet’ and ‘Growing Green’ workshops and their annual Treefest being held Friday 26th August – Monday 29th August 2011.  Furthermore, during the school summer holidays, families have even more reason to visit the spectacular Arboretum, as children go free from Saturday 23rd July to Wednesday 31st August 2011!

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The Red Arrows and Alexandra Burke!!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by jo

The Royal International Air Tattoo 2011 at RAF Fairford (30 minutes from Cheltenham) is the world’s largest military airshow and one of the country’s top outdoor family events.  Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, this year’s spectacular event is being held on 16th and 17th July with more than 300 aircraft on display.  This celebration of all things aviation will include fast jets, giant transporters, classic warbirds, helicopters and topping the bill will be the legendary Red Arrows performing one of their exciting aerobatic displays.   Other entertainment will include a stunt car driving demonstration, a parachute tower, children’s quad bikes, a motorbike display team and a range of aircraft simulators.  On top of all that, visitors on Sunday 17th July will be treated to a lunchtime concert from Alexandra Burke ensuring that this year’s event well and truly has the X Factor!

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Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival

Posted on June 6, 2011 by jo

The Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival returns to Montpellier Gardens on 17th, 18th and 19th June 2011 and promises to offer its usual celebration of all things gastronomic!  Various marquees will house over 150 exhibitors including food producers, brewers, winemakers and restaurants.

In the Chef’s Kitchen celebrity chefs such as Galton Blackiston and chefs from leading restaurants in the area, will be giving masterclasses showcasing their culinary creativity; and for those who prefer their pleasures to be more of a liquid nature there will be several talks and informal tutored tastings given by the experts on wine, sherry and real ale too.

Running alongside such gastronomic delights will be a variety of live music and street theatre performances, which all promises to make Montpellier Gardens the perfect destination for a summer weekend break of eating and drinking.

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Sunshine Cheltenham

Posted on May 18, 2011 by jo

The recent weeks of glorious sunshine may have taken us by surprise, but there is no denying that summer is upon us and it is time to make the most of the great outdoors.  Maybe we are biased, but we believe Cheltenham and the spectacular Cotswold countryside are the perfect destination for a summer weekend break.  Cheltenham boasts 600 acres of historic parks and gardens, the most famous being Pittville Park, home to the famous Pittville Pump Room, which together with Montpellier Gardens and Imperial Gardens, was created in the early part of the 19th Century as ‘pleasure grounds’ attached to the spas.  And now is the perfect time of year to see all the gardens in full spring time glory.

Not only do we have our own beautiful parks, but we have the splendours of the Cotswold countryside right on our doorstep.  One of our favourite destinations is Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, which boasts 9 award-winning gardens, including a Secret Garden created by Rosemary Verey, a Wildflower Walk and a picturesque picnic area.  For those who like their gardens a little more eccentric, then the unique Rococo Gardens, near Painswick, are a real gem.  Originally laid out in the 18th century, the gardens are set in a hidden Cotswold valley and boast a fascinating combination of woodland walks, vistas, a restored kitchen garden and a unique maze.

Our top tip … why not head to the nearby Red Pepper Delicatessen, on Regent Street, to pick up some goodies for a delicious gourmet picnic.

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The Magic of Take That in Cheltenham …. Second only to the real thing!

Posted on May 9, 2011 by jo

Tickets for the 2011 Take That tour sold out within minutes, so all those unlucky fans of the ultimate Boy Band should not miss the Magic of Take That show at Cheltenham Racecourse.  This highlight of the May Calendar of Events in Cheltenham takes place on Friday 20th May 2011 and is bound to be a sensational night out.

The brand-new show features a cast of superbly choreographed and talented singers, true-to-life vocals plus spectacular special effects and lighting design.  Fans of the original boy-band will be treated to scores of million-selling hits including ‘Patience’, ‘Back for Good’, ‘Greatest Day’, ‘Never Forget’, ‘Relight my Fire’ and ‘How Deep is your Love’.  The night includes a ‘special guest’ performance by The Magic of Take That’s Robbie Williams, who will entertain fans with ‘Angels’, ‘Let Me Entertain You’ and ‘Rock DJ’ amongst many other Robbie favourites. And with tickets available for only £20 – this must surely be a fantastic night out in Cheltenham!

Cheltenham has some great shopping on offer so for all those girls looking to attend the show why not extend your stay and take a weekend break in Cheltenham to take advantage of it all!

After a great night sleep followed by all that shopping why not treat yourself to a pampering session with our special offer at the Chapel Spa and then visit one of the great restaurants in town for dinner

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Jazz and Horses

Posted on April 12, 2011 by sue

Two World-Class Bank Holiday Events coming to Cheltenham and surrounding area ….

Here ….

April is a busy month for Bank Holidays and Big Events and nowhere is this more felt than in Cheltenham, the perfect destination for a weekend break. The Cheltenham Festival Races may be over for another year, but the city shall soon be hosting the annual Jazz Festival from 27th April until 2nd May with its regular line up of high-profile stars from the international jazz scene (The American supergroup Overtone Quartet) as well as the best of British talent (Mercury Prize nominee Kit Downes). For the second year Jamie Cullen shall be the guest director of a diverse programme, including many free events, which can be heard at various venues right across town from the Town Hall to the Everyman Theatre, as well as live jazz performances and after-hours jams in many restaurants, bars and clubs. Celebrate the Royal Wedding at the ultimate street party at Jazz on the Square, where you can eat, drink and shop at the Jazz Market whilst listening to the music of jazz superstars and rising stars. The Festival will be closed by none other than star of the television series, House, Hugh Laurie, who will be making his UK musical debut just prior to the release of his first blues album.

Browse or download the 2011 jazz festival brochure for more information.

Near …
Slightly further afield, the other big event this month are the Badminton Horse Trials which run over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 21st – Monday 25th April. Widely hailed as the world’s greatest 3-day-event, the tiny village of Badminton (just 35 minutes from Cheltenham) plays host to the biggest names in eventing (including last year’s winner Paul Tapner and William Fox-Pitt, one of Britain’s most successful events riders of all time) as well as crowds of up to 250,000 on the cross country day. But you don’t have to be passionate about horses – the chance to spot celebrities and picnic in splendid surroundings are all part of the attraction. And then there’s the shopping, which gets bigger and better every year, and in 2011 there’s also an extra day’s shopping, with the tradestands open from Thursday until to Monday. The shopping extravaganza includes all the big names in horsey and outdoor gear, but there are also toys, clothes, jewellery, and art as well as champagne bars, beer and cider tents and even a nightclub overlooking the lake.

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Garra Spa

Posted on April 1, 2011 by HTH

Ladies, have you considered having a garra foot fish spa? There are 3 such places in Cheltenham within easy walking distance from us. I tried it myself last weekend,and although I was a little squeamish, the results were amazing. It was £20 for 20 minutes. And there were even men in there too… Ask me about it when you stay.Lisa

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