A relative newcomer to the English wine scene in Hampshire, Quob Park has opened a luxury hotel, breathing fresh life into an 18th century coach house.
Set within a 170-acre estate in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, its four vineyards may be among the county’s newest, but the Champagne-style growing conditions produce top quality English sparkling wines.
Described as being among the region’s most beautiful vineyards, the Estate is already popular for its range of year-round tours, tastings and events, along with gourmet experiences from celebrated Michelin-trained chefs.
Now that sparkling offer can be paired with luxury accommodation, bringing a whole new look to a hotel built in 1707 that was the last coach house on the London to Portsmouth route.
Just five minutes from the vineyards, the Quob Park Old House Hotel & Spa in Wickham Square has been extensively refurbished and revitalised to offer a range of rooms and indulgent suites, starting from £350 per night.
The ivy-clad hotel sits on the edge of the historic square and has 10 individually designed signature suites and luxury rooms combining olde-world charm with modern amenities, including air conditioning, super king beds, luxury linens and state-of-the-art Smart TVs.
Gourmet dining comes courtesy of modern-English, French-inspired menus prepared by Michelin-trained chefs in Restaurant 1707 and Café De Paris where Quob’s ‘Estate-to-Glass-&-Plate’ ethos means local produce is used wherever possible, including from its vineyards.
The hotel also has an acclaimed onsite spa, set within a Secret Garden, which was recently awarded 5-Bubble-Spa status by the Good Spa Guide, that features state-of-the-art thermal and hydro experiences.
Surrounded by rolling countryside, the bustling village of Wickham – a Roman military post and Saxon settlement, which is lined with 15th century cottages and Georgian houses – is also home to the second largest medieval market square in England.
A short walk from the Square is the Water Meadows, a tranquil riverside green oasis, while Wickham also lies on the Meon Valley Trail, a nine-mile path following an old railway line that provides car-free access into the South Downs.
The Estate itself, which was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086, was acquired by the Terry family in 2001 and after a substantial investment, the first vineyards were planted in 2015. Dedicated to using the Traditional Method to produce quality English sparkling wines using only blends of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, the vineyards nestle within a ‘Natural Clos’, which protects the grapes, and can improve the microclimate.
Vineyard and winery tours are also available from the hotel by prior arrangement.
For more details about the new hotel, visit www.quobpark.com/accomodation/
All tourist information for Hampshire can be found at www.visit-hampshire.co.uk
Photos: Quob Park Old House Hotel & Spa
