This was our second weekend away at Warners Heythrop Park Hotel.
Friday 17th July 2026: Heythrop Park
We stayed again in the “new ” South Wing. This meant we would be staying on the “-1” level and travelling to “G” to walk to the theatre etc and to “-2” to walk out of reception… As we were early we had lunch sitting out side. The signs on the table table told us to order via the website with lots of choice. We were brought down to earth with our server who explained that these choices were not available. For drinks I gave in and walked through to the bar ordered it myself.
Our room was rather spectacular with an open plan siting room.
We chose to eat all our meals in the Brasserie 32 restaurant. This meant we had table service but the choices did get limiting. The menus were set up to charge £25 for evening meals – definitely not worth it and when we come again we will eat somewhere else. We had to walk through the “Travelling Duke” bistro, down a ramp, through the Orangery, Up steps through the Vinyl (LP?) room and into the old entrance hall to get to the restaurant
There were substitutions on the menu and we decide to have the roast dinner (aka the Chef’s meal of the day.) After staying too long chatting we made it to one of the shows.
Saturday 18th July 2026: Rollright Stones
On our way to Stow-on-the-Wold we stopped at the Rollright Stones, paid our £2 entrance fee and went through the small wood to see the stone ring.
We then crossed the (extremely busy) road to have a look at the “King Stone”.
Crossing back over the road was heart stopping. Because of the uncut hedge I had to step out onto the road to see if cars were coming from the right and then leap back as they speeded past. When I subsequently drove past later I blew my horn to make sure no-one was trying to cross from the “king Stone” side.
Saturday 18th July 2026: Stow-on-the-Wold
The traffic through Stow was bumper to bumper and we went out a little way to the Long Term Car park which was full. So then it had to be the Tesco car park with just 2 hours allowed. Sadly this meant we didn’t have time to stop for a coffee but were on a mission to see the shops and get back to the car.
We did manage to shop in some of the sales before walking back out to Tescos.
Saturday 18th July 2026: The Farmer’s Dog
Time to eat and we were close enough to Clarkson’s pub that we went there along the A40. This road was empty but once we reached the pub we realised just how many people had had the same idea as us! Once past the packed overflow car park exit we went into the track alongside the next field and found a space to park.
After a long walk through the car park we crossed the main road and then the side road and into the pub’s grounds.
We were then at the side of the field at the back of the main building. The field had dozens of picnic tables scattered around and small gazebos. We joined the inevitable queue for food. This took us to the steps of the Grand Tour tent.
The folks helping with the queues or serving were incredibly friendly despite the huge numbers of people. The food was excellent.
In the tent was the butchers and shops . . .
I joined the queue for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop in the tent.
T-shirt time…
Maybe next time we will book ahead (weeks ahead?) in order to be able to into the pub itself to eat.
Saturday 18th July 2026: Heythrop Park
My portable coffee machine worked perfectly with pre-boiled water.
The choice of beers in the Brasserie 32 were limited and I had Stella Artois for the second night. The same substitutions were on offer as on Friday – fish for the fish stew and pork for the beef rib. I decided to try the duck far an extra £5 or so rather than the . I should not have bothered as it was so chewy…
Another change since our last visits to Warners was that there were now no printed programmes. This was available as a fleeting glance at a screen before it flashed onto another advert or search on the local website. I have no idea who the group is who were playing in the Late Lounge. We must have been over halfway through the show and at the end had to leave as in this venue guests have to queue up for each performance..
