August at The Elvetham

August at The Elvetham is the ideal time to be out and about, enjoying our 35 acres of glorious Hampshire. Stroll the gardens, play croquet, or just relax and soak up our beautiful surroundings. If that sounds like thirsty work, never fear! You will find it easy to quench your thirst with something delicious from our Gloriana Bar.

But what of further afield? Should you wish to, there is much to discover in the local area this August. Here’s a look at some ideas to get you out and about during your stay.

For a wonderful afternoon out, we recommend a trip to Hartley Wintney, and on to Odiham Castle. A mere stone’s throw away, Hartley Wintney is considered one of England’s prettiest villages. A quaint and traditional picture-postcard English village, with a history almost as old as The Elvetham, Hartley Wintney has been voted Britains best place to live on many occasions. It’s a lovely spot for an afternoon walk, with its village green, traditional houses, duck pond and local cricket pitch. A pint at The Cricketers is an essential. What could be more English on a summer’s afternoon? For more information on this wonderful village, see HERE

A further 15 minutes drive and you will be able to explore an ancient ruined castle. Known locally as ‘King John’s Castle’, Odiham Castle is located on a tranquil site by the Basingstoke Canal. Once owned by the powerful de Montforts, this amazing ruin has been part of many important historical events, from the signing of the Magna Carta, a French siege, a revolt, and even the imprisonment of a Scottish King. Quite the spot! You can find further details HERE

Have you ever been on a distillery tour? We recommend a guided tour of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke. You will discover the ten exotic botanicals infused into every drop of Bombay Sapphire Gin, and be guided through the Botanical Dry Room, a sensory experience to help you uncover your flavour preferences. End your tour by enjoying a complementary cocktail form the Bombay Sapphire menu specially selected based on your discovered flavour preference.

The Bombay Sapphire Distillery is situated in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. A mix of iconic modern architecture, rich heritage and exquisite cocktails, The Bombay Sapphire Distillery offers a great day out. What’s more, a 20% discount is available for residential Elvetham guests. Discount code available upon booking, ask our reception team for details. Discover more about the distillery HERE

A trip to an English garden rounds off our suggestions, with a visit to West Green House. Nestling in woodland, the gardens of West Green House surround one of the prettiest manor houses in England. This exceptional garden has a distinctive sense of place created over two decades by Marylyn Abbott, a renowned Australian garden designer, whose twin passions for English Gardens and Opera join together to create a unique environment. The gardens themselves are well worth a visit, offering stunning vistas and dramatic planting. You may also wish to take in the lunch time concert on 20th August. With the garden opening at 11am, from noon you can experience I Could Have Danced All Night, The Music of Lerner and Loewe. The duo are famous for their glorious songs from ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Gigi,’ ‘Camelot’, ‘Paint your Wagon’ and ‘Brigadoon’. The exceptional program will be sung by two fabulous young singers from London’s West End for this wonderful concert by the lake. The gardens open exclusively for guests at 11am, and at noon it’s time to listen to an hour of music, with attendees encouraged to bring a picnic. Guests are then welcome to laze the afternoon away by the lake. Sounds delightful! Tickets are essential, and you can find more details about the event and the gardens HERE

We do hope you find something of interest here, and we wish you a wonderful stay with us at The Elvetham this August.