Heythrop Park to open in September after £40m refurb

Heythrop Park, a 440-acre Cotswolds property managed by Warner Leisure Hotels, will be reopening on 2 September 2022 after undergoing a £40m investment. Since its purchase by the hotel group in 2018, it will become the 15th property in the group’s portfolio. It is reported that the 300-year old Grade II-listed property that was designed by architect Thomas Archer has 337 “meticulously designed” bedrooms. As new offerings to the property, Heythrop Park now also includes three new restaurants, as well as two large theatres for daily shows, bands, music festivals and comedy nights. In addition, guests will be able to take part in activities from archery to laser clay shooting, or a round of golf on the Bainbridge Championship Golf Course, while those looking for R&R can get treatments at the hotel’s spa, which has a brand-new thermal and sensory suite and outdoor hot tubs. Heythrop Park is also surrounded by the famous Blenheim Palace, which is a quarter of an hour’s drive away, as well as Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm shop. Other nearby highlights include a shopping outlet, Bicester Village, and Heythrop Zoological Gardens, which is a private zoo specialising in exotic animal training and positive reinforcement located next door. Simon Thompson, managing director of Warner Leisure Hotels, said: “We’re delighted to finally be opening the doors to Heythrop Park this September, and can’t wait for guests to experience our magnificent Cotswolds retreat! “Amidst record-breaking heatwaves and international travel chaos, we’ve seen a huge appetite for UK breaks this summer, so it’s no surprise that guests are flocking for a staycation in this beautiful part of the world. Early bookings for Heythrop tell us this is only going to continue in the coming seasons.” He added: “Whether that’s a day spent by the poolside, dancing the night away, or learning something new with an exciting activity like archery, our latest property is crafted with something in mind for every kind of staycationer. “With September breaks already sold out, and only a few remaining in October, we encourage guests to book now to avoid missing out on a gorgeous getaway at our biggest and best hotel yet!”