AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @p AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @pottersresortsfivelakes with @slwilson84. It was an action packed three nights with a full activity and entertainment programme, great food, lovely drinks and beautiful surroundings. 

The staff go above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and they ensure that everyone has the best time possible. I don’t think I stopped smiling all weekend.

The best thing about Potters holidays is that everything is included in the price you pay. Four meals a day, all your drinks - including wine, Prosecco, most spirits and soft drinks - great accommodation and so many activities. 

I’ll write a full review soon but for now here’s a little Reel of our weekend
I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
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Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews · August 28, 2014

Fawsley Hall Hotel Review

Disclosure: We were invited on this break for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.

Dave and I hadn’t had a child free weekend away since before we had LP and when Handpicked Hotels offered us the chance to review one of their hotels I couldn’t wait to have a much needed break with Dave. We’re familiar with the Handpicked Hotels brand as their Audleys Wood hotel in Hampshire is where Dave proposed to me just over 6 years ago!

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

What were our first impressions of Fawsley Hall Hotel?

We booked to stay at Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa in Northamptonshire. Fawsley Hall Hotel was well signposted from the motorway and set in 2,000 acres of parkland and gardens – It feels very much like the countryside to me!

Fawsley Hall Daventry is a beautiful old Tudor building that has a huge amount of character and original features and a great history too – Henry VIII and Elizabeth both enjoyed the Fawsley House hospitality amongst other famous historical figures.It’s a beautiful country house hotel with ample free parking in the car park.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

What was our suite like at Fawsley Hall Hotel?

We were given a suite for the night and it was stunning – four poster bed, antique furniture, dining area, seating area, huge bathroom with separate shower and even a dressing room. Dave and I have never stayed in such a opulent room before and we really enjoyed it – even having a lazy saturday afternoon  of baths and TV whilst enjoying the complimentary dressing gowns, coffee, free wifi and magazines. We couldn’t have asked for any more from the beautiful Fawsley Hall Hotel Suite.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

What is afternoon tea like at Fawsley Hall Hotel?

Soon after our arrival we had afternoon tea – something Fawsley Hall Hotel is renowned for. We had a table reserved in the Tudor Great Hall which was a perfect setting for such an indulgent treat. We chose the Champagne Afternoon Tea and enjoyed not only a glass of champagne but a huge pot of tea as well.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

A cake stand was brought out which displayed our selection of finger sandwiches, mini cakes and pastries and fruit scones. Dave and I are huge fans of afternoon tea and have it at every opportunity but we have never experienced afternoon tea like the one at Fawsley Hall Hotel.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

The cakes were lovely and rich, full of flavour and although a huge cake fan I have to admit that the scone beat me – I just could not eat it all. If you stay at Fawsley Hall Hotel, skip lunch and have the afternoon tea instead – you won’t be disappointed.

What is the Fawsley Hall Hotel spa like?

We then went back to our suite to relax before going to the Fawsley Hall spa for a full body massage for both Dave and I. Neither of us have had a massage before and didn’t know what to expect. The relaxing spa facilities are for guests to use and were well equipped with treatment rooms, steam room, indoor pool, swimming pool spa and gym. The staff were lovely and the amount of treatments on offer was impressive. Our massages lasted 25 minutes and we found them a relaxing addition to the afternoon and a great way to wind down before dinner.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

Dave and I then spent some time wandering around the grounds before going and getting ready for the evening. This was the only time we really noticed that Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa is currently undergoing some renovation works and parts of the gardens were being dug up. Parts of the hotel smelt of paint too but overall the renovations weren’t disruptive to our stay at all.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

What is dining like at Fawsley Hall Hotel?

We had dinner is Fawsley Hall Hotel’s Cedar Restaurant and chose from the evening set menu which was £37 each for three courses. Dave had deep fried goats cheese to start and I had chicken liver parfait – both were lovely although I would have liked slightly more toast – a very slight criticism!

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

We both chose rump steak and chips as our main and the chips were easily the nicest chips I have ever eaten – seasoned to perfection! The steak was beautifully cooked and I couldn’t finish it all – we had to leave room for dessert! I chose the pistachio and raspberry sundae and Dave had the  panna cotta. The food was incredible and definitely value for money. Fawsley Hall Hotel also had an extensive wine list to accompany the meal.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel
Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

After dinner Dave and I went back to our room to relax and watch TV before bed. The bed was really comfortable and we both slept well. Our only observation is that Fawsley Hall Hotel does generally have creaky floorboards, not something that can really be helped with such an old building but it does make you aware of other people moving around the hotel during the day and night. I have been informed by Fawsley Hall Management that the floorboards are being looked at as part of their current renovation works so this shouldn’t be an issue going forward.

What is breakfast like at Fawsley Hall Hotel?

In the morning Dave and I had a lovely lay in until gone 9am – the luxury of a child free break! Breakfast was served until 11am on a weekend and we went back to The Cedar Restaurant to enjoy a full english breakfast. As well as the usual cooked breakfast, Fawsley Hall Hotel also offers a wide variety of alternative hot breakfasts and a buffet style continental selection with bread, cold meats and cheeses, fruit, pastries and cereal. Fawsley Hall Hotel breakfast was a great way to finish off our stay.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

We hadn’t had a break away since before having children and Fawsley Hall Northamptonshire was definitely the welcome break that we needed. The staff were friendly, welcoming and attentive, Daventry Fawsley Hall Hotel was a beautiful building to stay in and the whole hotel site was quiet, peaceful and relaxing.

Review: Fawsley Hall Hotel

If you are looking for a spa break, somewhere to relax or somewhere to celebrate then the Hand picked Hotels Fawsley Hall Hotel would be a great place to go. We really enjoyed our break and would love to go back again in the future.

In: Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews

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Comments

  1. Angela Spicer says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:38 am

    What an idylic setting

    Reply
  2. Kate @ Family Fever says

    August 28, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Oh my word,, this looks AMAZING. It’s definitely the sort of place I would love to go for a child free break.

    Reply
  3. Sarah says

    August 28, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    This looks amazing! I would love to go somewhere like this for a night away with the hubby – we’ve never left Toby overnight yet though, it’s rubbish living so far from our parents so no babysitters on hand!

    Reply
  4. The Reading Residence says

    August 30, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Oh, wow! That looks gorgeous & the thought of a 9am lie in – bliss!!! Glad you had a lovely time x

    Reply

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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