Are you anticipating the Christmas blues when January kicks in? Not sure what to do with your time now that Christmas is over? Then why not take some time out to visit the Cotswolds this January – what could be more inviting than our beautiful scenery and great food, alongside excellent attractions to visit? Here a just a few attractions that you could visit during your stay!

Sudeley Castle

The historic Sudeley Castle is right at the heart of the Cotswold Hills near Winchecombe in Gloucestershire. Its award-winning gardens spans over a thousand years and contains many varied tales of royal associations, wars and periods of neglect and subsequent restoration which makes it the perfect place to visit during your stay.

Tewksbury Abbey

For those looking to take in a bit of local culture you could pay a visit to Tewksbury Abbey. Despite the fact that the Abbey was founded in 1087, the construction of the modern Abbey didn’t actually begin until 1102. The Abbey was originally constructed solely for the purpose of housing Benedictine monks; however the Norman Abbey was near completion when it was consecrated in 1121. Furthermore, the Abbey is the currently largest surviving Norman tower in the country.

Westonbirt Arboretum

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, then why not visit the historic, early Victorian picturesque landscape and internationally important tree and shrub collection.  The vast collection of 16,000 trees (2,500 different species) come from a number of world countries such as China, North America, Japan, Chile and other tropical climes. The collection was started back in the 1850’s by Robert Holford who owned the property at the time.

Gloucester Cathedral

Another fantastic attraction is Gloucester Cathedral which is still used every day for worshipping and has a fantastic musical tradition. It was built over 1300 years ago and has undergone a number of architectural adjustments over the years. It plays host to some incredible medieval glass along with its own exhibition, superb cloisters and the crypt. Better still it was setting for some of the scenes from the Harry Potter films which were filmed in the stunning cloisters.

Roman Baths

For those interested in Roman history, why not make your way over to the Roman Baths attraction situated in the original Roman town of Bath. Take a stroll round, Britain’s only hot spring, the Romans constructed a fantastic temple and bathing complex which still flows with natural hot water. See the water’s source and make your way around the Baths, where Romans once walked on the ancient stone pavements which surround the steaming pool. Furthermore, the extensive ruins and treasures from the Spring are well maintained and demonstrated in the most prestigious way using the best in modern interpretation.

Whether you are looking for a traditional New Year break, a weekend break to get over your January blues, or just a peaceful time to relax and unwind, you are bound to find what you want this New Year in one of our Four Pillars Hotels. Locations include Oxford, The Cotswolds and Bristol.

http://www.four-pillars.co.uk/

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22 new ‘Garden Rooms’ and The Conservatory

Over the coming months we will be investing £2 million on new and upgraded bedrooms along with a multi-function Conservatory for dining and events at our Oxford Thames Hotel. Due to open in May 2013, the new bedrooms will increase the capacity to 84 rooms and The Conservatory will add 135m² of space to their current choice of 9 rooms for private events.

The 22 new ‘Garden Rooms’ will have views of the beautiful gardens with many benefiting from views of the River Thames, and will feature a contemporary style to complement the rest of the hotel. Additionally, 22 bedrooms in Sandford House have recently been refurbished with new décor, seating and furniture, drapery, soft furnishings and bathroom upgrades to give them a fresh new look.

At the same time, we are converting the existing courtyard area adjacent to the River Room Restaurant into a bright and airy Conservatory for Sunday lunch, afternoon tea and other dining, as well as private events. New car parking will be added to support the new facilities.

There will be minimal inconvenience to guests during the work and the majority of the bedrooms and public areas of the hotel, will be unaffected.

For bookings and further details visit www.four-pillars.co.uk/thames or call 01865 334444

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As Christmas approaches once again, people are gripped by the usual mixture of warm anticipation and sheer panic. Christmas Day itself is always a time for celebration and family get-togethers and the subsequent days leading up to New Year’s Eve are an opportunity for restful recovery and socialising with friends and relatives. The problem is in getting from here to there without getting too stressed out. This is particularly applicable to the fairer sex as they seem to be the ones lumbered with most of the work.

Considerate husbands and partners can help by either doing more of the work themselves and / or arranging a short break away from it all in either November or early in December. The beauty of the latter is that this time of year is classed as low season and there are some really tempting deals on offer from well- appointed hotels which have every facility on hand including swimming pools and relaxing spa treatment rooms.

Having someone else take care of the cooking, cleaning and bed-making somehow makes Christmas shopping less of a strain and can actually make the exercise an enjoyable experience. Those taking such a pre-Xmas break in the Oxford area will find all the big name shops that they are likely to need together with the unique seasonal ambiance of the City of Spires.

The Christmas atmosphere in Oxford is brought vividly to life in the city on Friday November 23^rd when the Christmas Light Night is staged. Centred on the famous lantern procession this evening event features light, dance, art, live music and performance, all thrown together with a generous helping of festive cheer. Oxford’s museums, Castle Quarter, Town Hall and Museum of Oxford, theatres and galleries throw open their doors to the public for one-off late night viewings of their exhibitions and displays enhanced by special performances.

This kicks off the build-up to Christmas in style and sets the tone for what visitors can expect during the run-up to the big day itself. 2012’s events include the ever popular Christmas choral concert at Christchurch Cathedral on Friday 14^th and Thursday 20^th of December at 8pm. Recent readers of Christmas writing at this perennial favourite include Jeremy Irons and Robert Hardy and it is a closely guarded secret which star is booked for this year.

For a complete contrast, it is well worth making the short journey to Blenheim Palace, arguably Britain’s finest.  This year from 10^th November – 14^th December (Wednesday to Sunday inclusive) the Palace will be decorated in a very special theme telling the Christmas story of the Three Kings.

Visitors to the Palace will be able to follow the journey of the Three Kings through the State Rooms decorated in glittering gold and festooned in silk. Two magnificent Christmas trees will stand in splendour in the Great Hall, surrounded by palm trees in pots bejewelled in the colours of the Far East. From the balcony above the Great Hall, the Star of Bethlehem will shine out to guide the Three Kings on their way. Baubles and crystals on lush ribbons, shining golden leaves, clusters of peacock feathers and striking turquoise and emerald green marabou fans will provide an exotic welcome to the Palace.

http://www.four-pillars.co.uk/

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It’s getting to that time of the year when Christmas decorations are popping up all over our supermarkets and town centres so it is safe to say that Christmas is nearly here. This also means that the organising of Christmas parties is well and truly on the cards. Here are just a few tips to help you put together the perfect Christmas party.

Budget

You need to sort out what you want to achieve and the budget for the event. This may sound obvious but it is very important to clearly establish the money available before you start planning and also what is going to be included in that budget.

Venue

You need to organise where the party is going to take place. You have to make the decision on whether you want to completely takeover a venue for a private party or go to a shared party. To make your job easier, choose a venue that can also provide entertainment. The venue ideally needs to be in a central location for everyone and also close to the local transport links. Failing that, organise transport back to the office or book taxis to transport people home.

Date

You need to set a date quickly as Friday’s and Saturday’s are very popular as people don’t need to work the next day. Ask your colleagues when is best for them and select the best possible date.

Book early

Book your Christmas party early as many of the good venues fill up quickly. The earlier you start looking for a venue the greater chance you have of securing your preferred choice.

Food

This part of the process doesn’t have to be expensive; the majority of venues can cater for all sorts of budgets and can also provide a set Christmas menu.  Also, sit-down meals are often better when inviting partners, so that they at least have somebody to talk with.

Overnight accommodation

The key question here is whether or not your company is paying for the accommodation as well as the venue and food.

Take a look at some of our beautiful locations for your Christmas party; our hotels in Oxford are also a great place to accommodate your group when the party’s over!

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Oxford Lieder Festival – Friday 12th – Saturday 27th October

The Oxford Lieder Festival is held throughout October every year. It aims to celebrate singers and musicians and this year will include: Sarah Connolly, Florian Boesch, Lucy Crowe, Alice Coote, James Gilchrist, Katarina Karnéus, Robert Murray, Birgid Steinberger, Wolfgang Holzmair and many others.

Concerts will be held every night and in addition there will be a series of lunch-time and late-night recitals, a programme of master classes, workshops and talks.

The opening recital will be performed by the French soprano Sandrine Piau at 8pm on the 12th October. She’s known throughout the world for her opera performances and she will be accompanied by Roger Vignoles; they will open the festival with a selection of French songs.

For music lovers, this festival is one not to miss. There are recitals everyday so you’ll be able to attend at least one on your visit!

Alison Pullen New Paintings – Tuesday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th November

Alison Pullen is a sought after interiors painter, she will be showing a series of new paintings throughout October at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery. Her work includes a beautiful illustration of the Observatory at Green Templeton College.

Alison is said to be an expert at portraying daylight, pattern and textures; she has also been commissioned to complete works for private collectors and for the throne room at Buckingham Palace. Her collection is worth a look for art lovers.

It’s almost Halloween!

There are a number of events around Oxford at Halloween, located in some of the eerie and old buildings – Perfect to get a little spooked!

Blenheim Palace – Witches and Wizards –  27th October – 4^th November

The palace offers Halloween activities for all the family throughout the half term week.

Witches and Wizards Trail at the Pleasure Gardens – The trail is great for the kids and will be held during the weekdays in half term. Hunt the gardens and follow the clues to find the ten items you’d find in a witch or wizards house! After exploring the palace, children will also get the chance to decorate their own scary pottery in the Garden room.

At the weekends, Cat Weatherill will tell ghostly tales at the indoor cinema and also during half term week you can take part in one of the spooky palace tours. Hear stories from the night guards and visit Grace Ridley in the visitor experience “Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story”.

Ghost Fest

Ghost fest is a universal tradition and was launched in Oxford 7 years ago; ghost hunting is back at Oxford Castle – Unlocked.

There are a number of thrilling events at Oxford Castle throughout October as part of Ghost Fest!

After Dark Dinners

The castle has got together with The Big Bang, Pizza Express, The Living Room and Malmaison Brasserie. They will offer visitors a sinister journey through the castle, taking you to the most haunted locations, which will be topped off with a stunning three course meal in the castle quarter.

Scary Tours

The tours take you to the dark side of the castle; explore the most haunted rooms including the dark atmospheric 900 year old underground Crypt.

Overnight Ghost Hunts – Not for the faint-hearted!

The castle is steeped in history of bloodshed and imprisonment, and has had a number of reported ghost sightings. If you’re brave enough stay overnight for Vigils and Séances in some of the most eerie rooms of the castle. Will you spot the figure often seen in the Crypt?

Make plans for half term now and book your hotel in Oxford.

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Starting off at the historic market town of Witney, for whom the Prime Minister David Cameron is the Member of Parliament, visitors should head off via Brize Norton to the village of Bampton which doubles up as Downton, the village featured in Downton Abbey.It is frequently used in the hugely successful ITV series for filming outdoor scenes, most notably St. Mary’s Church and the library, which serves as the entrance to the cottage hospital.

A few miles on from Bampton is the chocolate box town of Lechlade on Thames which is the highest point on the river for navigable vessels. This is a wonderful spot to just wander around and take in the ambience perhaps with a refreshing drink at the famous Trout Inn. Just 4 miles away is the small village of Fairford whose delights fail to be eclipsed by the nearby air base which holds the World’s largest military airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo.

From Fairford, it is only a few miles to Cirencester, the historic town that dates back to Roman times. You are now officially in the Cotswolds and Cirencester, renowned for its Royal Agricultural College, the largest in the World, is regarded as the capital of the district. After exploring its bustling streets and imposing church, head back towards base via the quintessential Cotswold village of Bibury, described by William Morris in Victorian times as the most beautiful village in the whole of England. In fact, Fox News insists it is one of the most picturesque in the World. One terrace of former weaver’s cottages called Arlington Row is regarded as such a treasure that it is now owned by the National Trust. 

After a brief sojourn to Bibury, take the road back to the A40 at Burford, another famous medieval town on the edge of the Cotswolds and recently voted by Forbes Magazine as one of the top ten best places to live in Europe. The gently sloping main street is a cornucopia of fascinating shops and has some wonderful little alleys in between the centuries old buildings. The Church of St. John the Baptist is rated one of the finest in the country and was the scene of a cruel subjugation of rebellious Levellers by Oliver Cromwell and his cavalry at the end of the English Civil War.

From Burford, return to Witney for a hearty dinner at your hotel. Explore the surrounding areas when staying at hotels near Oxford

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The impressive buildings combined with winding rivers and hidden nooks all work to create a romantic and inspiring atmosphere that many experience when visiting Oxford.

If you haven’t visited before, there are many sights you can admire, the architecture of Oxford being some of the biggest highlights.

Oxford University Buildings

With over 39 college buildings dotted around the city that make up the university, you may not get time to visit them all; here are a couple of the best picks well worth a visit…

All Souls College

This is at the heart of the university, and was founded in 1437 by Henry Chichele for the clergy as a centre for prayer and learning. This is the most prestigious of all the colleges.

The college boasts a four-storey gate tower and two-storey ranges either side, when you pass inside the gate house you enter the Great Quad, here you will be able to view the medieval buildings and spectacular twin gothic towers.

The quadrangle still houses fellows’ bedrooms and studies; additionally the Chapel sits in the whole north quarter and is well worth a visit.

On your visit, don’t miss out on taking a look at the sundial made by Wren and the mallards (the college symbol) that can be spotted all over the college.

Brasenose College

College of Brasenose and the King’s Hall is situated in Radcliffe Square in the heart of the University. It was founded in 1509 by William Smythe, Bishop of Lincoln, and Sir Richard Sutton.

The unique name of the college is thought of have come from a 13^th century knocker with a lion face that decorated the original academic hall.

Brasenose College has an intimate and romantic feel, typical of smaller medieval buildings. As you pass through the entrance on Radcliffe Square you will be led through to the Old Quadrangle, from here you can browse the beautiful buildings located inside.

Well worth a look is the Chapel Quadrangle, known also as Deer Park, it is home to the library and chapel – both were built in 1656-63 and were designed by mason John Jackson in an unusual Gothic-Classical hybrid.

The Chapel was the last to be designed and built in the traditional T plan, with a crossing antechapel, and replaced an earlier chapel that was located alongside the Hall.

Go inside the Chapel and take a look at the impressive antechapel, it comprises a memorial to Walter Pater a Fellow 1864-94, flanked by figures of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Plato and Dante.

You also won’t be able to miss the stained glass of the west window; it is by James Pearson to designs by J.R. Mortimer, from 1776.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is the main research centre for the university. It was founded in 1602 and opened with about 2000 books collected by Thomas Bodley. It is considered to be one of the great masterpieces of Gothic architecture in the UK.

The collection of books grew fast as Bodley made an arrangement with the Stationers’ Company in London to include a copy of every book registered with them, in the Bodleian library in 1610.

As the collections grew, the library was extended in both 1610-1612 and again in 1634-1637. Then, in the 1930’s the New Bodleian building was constructed – a tunnel under Broad Street connects the Old and New library buildings and contains a walkway, , a mechanical book conveyor and a pneumatic Lamson tube system for book orders.

Other places in Oxford well worth a visit include:

-          Christ Church Cathedral

-          University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

-          Harris Manchester College

-          House of C.S.Lewis

-          Eagle and Child Pub – patrons included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

This is just a snippet of what you can see on your Oxford break, all that’s left to do now is discover the city for yourselves!

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As the leaves start to fall and the great British summer of celebration draws to a close, our thoughts turn to the festive season.    Why not do something different this year and avoid the stress by letting independent hotel group, Four Pillars Hotels, wrap up your Christmas or New Year holiday and make it a time to remember?  And with New Year packages from just £175 per person**** and Christmas breaks from £295* per person – as well as all-inclusive options – you don’t need to break the bank to celebrate in style.

Whether you are looking for a traditional family celebration, a peaceful break from the everyday hustle and bustle or a lively party atmosphere with a group of friends, Four Pillars Hotels have something for every taste – just pick the hotel and package that suits you best.    And their six delightful properties in some of the most beautiful parts of Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire are the perfect place for a seasonal escape.

Traditional family Christmases are the order of the day at some of the properties, with reduced prices for children under 16 and kids under 4 staying free of charge**.  No family Christmas would be complete without mince pies, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa Claus along with delicious festive fare with all the trimmings.  And, depending on the hotel, other options on the Christmas menu include decorating your Christmas stocking, an indoor “day at the races” and an illusionist show!

For those who would prefer a child-free festive break, Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel or Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel are the place for you.  From guided Oxford walks to champagne receptions and live music you can be as active or as decadent as you like!

If you want to indulge yourself knowing that the cost of everything has been taken care of, head to Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel or Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel.  These properties are offering fantastic value all-inclusive packages, with all drinks, as well as meals and entertainment included.   A three night package starts at just £385 per person***.

And the party doesn’t stop at Christmas.  If you’re undecided where to welcome in the New Year, Four Pillars Hotels has a range of New Year Eve packages to keep up the party spirit and ensure the celebrations go with a bang!  One, two and three night packages are available with prices from just £175 per person**** including bubbles on arrival, a gala dinner and a night of fun filled dancing with the resident DJ’s or live bands.

Whichever hotel or package you choose, you can look forward to warm and friendly hospitality, comfortable accommodation and comprehensive facilities for a home away from home.   And with the Four Pillars properties set in some of the loveliest areas of the country, you’ll see the festive season at its most beautiful.   From frosty country or lakeside walks, to strolls around the historic streets of Oxford or picturesque villages, you’ll enjoy a Christmas or New Year to remember.

To book or request a copy of the festive packages brochure call: 0800 374 692 or visit www.festivepackages.co.uk.

* Based on a two night Christmas break at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel.

** Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel only takes children from the age of 12 years and Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel and Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel do not take children under the age of 16 years during the festive period.

*** Three night all-inclusive package at Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel based on two people sharing including daily breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner (except Christmas Day – which is a three course lunch, followed by evening buffet),  drinks and entertainment from 3pm on 24^th December to 12 noon on 27^th December.  Exclusions apply on drinks (full bar list available on request). 

**** Based on one night New Year break at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel.

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Put on your tourist hat and take a look at just 15 of the most fascinating facts about Oxford.

1. Oxford was the capital of England during the English Civil War.

2. Adolf Hitler had plans to invade England and use Oxford as his base if he won World War II.

3. The first colleges at Oxford were erected in the 13^th century. Women weren’t admitted until 1878 and it was 1920 before women were allowed degrees. Women were finally admitted to the last of the previously all-male colleges in 1974.

4. Someone is picking his nose…and that’s just one of the strange and fascinating gargoyles perched around the colleges of Oxford, much to the delight of visitors.

5. Oxford residents are called Oxonians. Oxford is hardly a unique name – there’s one in Canada, one in New Zealand, and the United States boasts 21 Oxfords.

6. The Oxford Comma (used after a conjunction in a list of three or more) gets its name from the Oxford University Press.

7. A bell located in a tower of Christ Church Cathedral goes by the name Old Tom. It strikes 101 times each night, once for each of 100 original scholars plus one added in 1663. The bell tolls at precisely 9:05 p.m., a holdover from the traditional curfew time.

8. Scenes from the Harry Potter series were filmed at Oxford. So were several TV series, including Brideshead Revisited and Inspector Morse.

9. Author Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland while living at Oxford.

10. Other authors with an Oxford connection include J.R.R. Tolkein, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings; C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia; Colin Dexter, Inspector Morse novels; and Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones’s Diary. And let’s not overlook the Oxford English Dictionary, which published its first edition in 1884.

11. In 1954, med student Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes at Iffley Road track in Oxford.

12. The world’s first public museum, Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, opened its doors in 1683.

13.Two roads, two miles apart, run parallel to each other in North Oxford. The southern road is called North Parade. The northern road is called South Parade.

14. Twenty-six British Prime Ministers were educated at Oxford.

15. Participants try to knock a wooden skittle off the top of a post by throwing sticks at it. Aunt Sally is the name of this quirky pub game you probably won’t see anywhere but Oxfordshire.

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