As nights draw in and the breathtaking autumnal colours begin to show, Wiltshire becomes a magical place. Wiltshire is a no-stress destination that nourishes the senses, opens up new experiences and really helps you unwind. With its blend of ancient landscapes, bewitching gardens and great things to do – it is the perfect choice for an autumn staycation.
To make the most out of it here are our top 6 things to do this autumn!
On the same estate as Bowood House & Gardens, the boutique-style Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort provides the perfect reason to escape to Wiltshire this autumn. One of the county’s finest luxury hotels it specialises in unforgettable breaks. The Spa at Bowood offers a wide range of reviving treatments and relaxing massages. The two AA Rosette Shelburne Restaurant showcases superb locally-sourced, seasonal food in an elegant surrounding. Afternoon Tea is a firm favourite at Bowood with delicious treats carefully crafted by the Hotel’s own pastry chef. For the keen golfer, there’s the superb PGA golf course designed by renowned golf course architect Dave Thomas. The supremely comfortable bedrooms boast spacious bathrooms, beautiful décor and views of the grounds or woodland. After a day of exploring, get cosy in the Hotel Library by an open log fire and soak in the stunning autumnal surroundings.
Those crisper autumn days are a delightful time to visit Bowood House & Gardens. The home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, the estate has 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown parkland, complete with a mile-long lake. The estate is famous for its Italian-inspired Terrace Garden, beautiful herbaceous border and blazes of autumn colour amid the trees. During October Half Term, families can experience the popular ‘Autumn Trail’ that winds through the arboretum. The House & Gardens are open daily until 1st November. You can book day tickets here. Entry is complimentary for guests staying at Bowood Hotel.
Ditching the car and travelling at a slower pace can really feel like an escape. The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust runs some excellent autumn trips on the Barbara McLellan boat. This 65 foot beauty has comfortable seating, toilets and a well-stocked bar and is based at the wharf in Bradford on Avon. Mid-October sees her heading out on a four hour Autumn Colour Cruise across Avoncliff Aqueduct and on to Dundas Aqueduct at the peak of seasonal foliage displays. Expect the trees to be a riot of red and gold.
Image credit: visitwiltshire.co.uk
The massive ceremonial monoliths at Stonehenge remind us that some places have long drawn visitors at key points in the seasons. At the vast Wiltshire stone circle the autumn equinox was probably one such time. And while a visit to Stonehenge is always enjoyable, autumn – with its mists and moody skies – is an ideal time to explore slightly further afield. The National Trust has devised four walking trails in the Stonehenge Landscape. Ranging over chalk downland and covering 2 to 5 miles, they explore the wider, ceremonial landscape. They reveal some surprising archaeological features and put Britain’s finest archaeological site in its broader, highly impressive context.
When the nights start falling earlier, the Wiltshire village of Lacock really comes into its own. The unspoilt huddle of houses is a jumble of undulating roofs and traditional stone buildings – no wonder it’s appeared in films and TV shows ranging from Harry Potter to Wolf Hall. The village is set out on a compact grid of four streets and has been looked after by the National Trust since the 1940s. A few locals’ cars aside, it looks much as it did 200 years ago. Take a tour of the impressive Lacock Abbey and Cloisters, then on a fast-darkening autumn afternoon, wander the atmospheric streets before visiting the age-old George Inn for a drink beside the open fire.
Image credit greatwestway.co.uk
If you enjoy woodland walks and nature-spotting, then we highly recommend a visit to the Longleat Estate in Wiltshire. Probably most known for its popular Safari Park, you will discover attractive forest walks, open woodland, as well as Shearwater Lake – a haven for fishing and sailing. Take in the beautiful views of the Wiltshire Countryside and admire the autumnal scenery in all its golden glory.
We recommend following the footpath through Nockatt Coppice car park, which will lead you to the aptly named ‘Heaven’s Gate’. There are plenty of benches and wide lawns where you could stop for a picnic.
Strange and troubling times as April ends. My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected through this crisis either socially or medically and, like most, I long for a return to the routines and activities that we normally take for granted.
Spring is the time of year that we see the most significant and rapid change on the land and as temperatures have been rising and day length extending we are seeing very strong growth and recovery to areas that were under significant stress during our record winter wet spell.
Our total rainfall from September to March was roughly 700mm. This figure combined with short day length, low temperatures, and consequent low evaporation rates, leads to a groundwater surplus and challenging ground conditions for the entire autumn and winter. Since the middle of March, we have seen an exceptionally dry period leading to quite heavy irrigation demand in recent days.
Our programme of course maintenance through the last month has been focused on key, essential tasks to promote turf health, in line with regulations set out by the central government and following recommendations published by the governing bodies of greenkeeping and golf, BIGGA, R&A, PGA and England Golf.
Our aim is to ensure that when we have an opportunity to open the course, we are able to tighten things down with mowing and have the course ready for you to play with good turf quality.
In order to achieve this, we have a very small team of greenkeepers working full time primarily focusing on mowing fine turf areas, greens, approaches, tees, fairways and semi-rough. Cut rough areas have been cut only where necessary where growth is strong with some areas, particularly up on the sandy soils of 13, having not been mown yet.
Additionally, there is a need to maintain adequate fertility so we have been feeding and supplementing these areas in line with achieving our goal of promotion of turf health and to ensure that we are not behind our schedule to achieve high-quality surfaces.
Our maintenance of bunkers and hazards has ceased through this time and barring the odd bit of deer trampling, bunkers are in quite good condition.
It is wonderful to see more and more wildlife across the course; we have seen a wider range of birds on site, roe deer are moving out of the woods more often and the fallow deer are generally very accepting of our movements around the course.
It is very strange being on the course daily without any of you here and even more so not seeing our whole team of greenkeepers here every day. Funnily though, some old habits remain, as all of us have joked that we are still checking over our shoulders for golf playing through, as we mow or drive around the course!
I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead and getting back to see all the familiar faces.
Best to all,
Jaey
Head Greenkeeper
Although it might seem straightforward, deciding where to host a special occasion is a head scratcher.
No matter where you live there are lots of options. It’s easy to book somewhere you know, perhaps your favourite local restaurant or pub. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it’s good to change things up sometimes. Especially if you’re feeling a little bored with the usual.
Then, the question arises. How do I make it special, truly special? Perhaps you want more than simply a meal out. What you want is to properly mark the occasion, and make it one to remember. This is exactly what visiting Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is all about.
One of the main things we pride ourselves on at Bowood is being able host events and occasions of all types—whether intimate or grand, and everything in between.
It could be you’re planning an anniversary with your partner, and need some well earned “us” time, or you have a family birthday partay, party, coming up. These intimate special occasions are perfect at Bowood. You’ll find a magnificent rural setting, and stylish, accommodating spaces to hold your private event.
Or, you may not be planning a small event at all. Has the office Christmas party fallen on your shoulders? Are you searching for a conference space? Gala dinner? Or even space to hold a religious ceremony?
At Bowood we can accommodate groups of up to 200 people. If in doubt, try us. Whatever the size and scope of your event, we’ll do our very best to help.
What you’ll experience at Bowood, no matter the size of your event or special occasion, is friendly, professional service and delicious food made with heart, and fresh sustainable ingredients.
For our passionate culinary team at Bowood, being in Wiltshire is a pleasure. Right on their doorstep is some of the finest produce our country has to offer.
For us, the quality and origin of our ingredients is everything. We’re committed where we can to supporting local businesses and making sure what we source is consistent and excellent. Whilst it’s possible to make a delicious meal from inexpensive ingredients, it’s not possible to make one from poor ingredients. Also, it doesn’t matter if we’re cooking for the two of you or a full entourage, we’ll ensure your experience is exceptional.
Unlike a restaurant or a pub, at Bowood you can improve your special occasion by melting your tension and drifting away at our award-winning spa. We have a varied range of signature treatments, from hot stone and bamboo massages to full wellness rituals and organic skincare.
Especially if you’re coming as a couple, or a group of friends, you could extend your visit to a peaceful spa weekend and leave us feeling rejuvenated.
Check out our spa breaks and find one that fits.
Golf is (in our opinion) the ultimate sport. It’s leisurely, polite, versatile, complex, and lots of fun. On a sunny day, nothing beats a round of golf. Furthermore, it’s a game for all ages and abilities; a rare example of an inclusive sport.
At Bowood we have one of the best 18-hole golf courses in the country. We’re not just saying that either. It’s the PGA official golf course for the South West.
A golf break is an ideal business weekend away, sprinkled with fine food, fine drink, and picturesque Wiltshire countryside. Great for team building, great for health, great for the mind.
Whilst our Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is separate from our house and gardens, there’s no reason you can’t combine the two. If you’re hosting a family event here, you could stroll around our diverse gardens before an evening meal. We have an arboretum with over 700 species of trees, private walled and terrace gardens, beautiful herbaceous borders, woodland gardens, and acres of Capability Brown parkland to explore.
Bowood House is also a wonder to experience, with many impressive stately rooms, fine art, and exquisite antiques. Here, you’ll be immersed in significant history—including Joseph Priestley’s discovery of oxygen in 1774.
The Bowood Estate is an idyllic backdrop for events and special occasions. Just think of the photos and how fantastic they’ll look. Celebrating is more celebratory at Bowood.
We’re based in quintessential English countryside between the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs—two of our country’s most cherished AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The countryside near us is a lovely, soul-stirring setting for a birthday break, anniversary, mini moon, Valentine’s escape, or spontaneous romantic gesture.
With only modest travelling you’re amongst rolling downland or beneath the shade of a willow on a verdant Cotswolds riverbank. You can be on a hillside, awestruck by giant chalk figures, carved from the white earth, or deep in ancient, wild woodland. We’re very lucky to be where we are, surrounded by iconic scenery—that has inspired art and literature for centuries.
We’re sure it will inspire you too.
For a closer look at events, special occasions, and celebrations at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort—please click here.
Thanks for reading.
With the shenanigans of Christmas and the New Year’s celebrations behind us, many of us will look towards health and wellness this winter, and of course, any exciting plans we’ve made for the year ahead.
Here at Bowood, we have events happening throughout the whole of winter to keep our spirits up, even if it’s a little bit dull and gloomy outside.
Whether 2020 is your year for marriage, fitness or perhaps you’ve pledged to yourself that you’ll take more time out this year for relaxing, you’ll find an exciting opportunity awaiting at Bowood.
Soothe tired bodies and take some time out from the rush of daily life in our spa at Bowood. It’s only been a week or two of January and, no doubt, we’re already feeling an increase in tension behind our neck and building up of knots in our muscles (and that’s, in addition, to all the socialising with family and in-laws at Christmas).
Our spa days at Bowood offer you the chance to utterly relax. Enjoy our premium facilities including the infinity pool, jacuzzi, crystal steam room, rock sauna and Techno Gym, and perhaps gift yourself a pamper treatment too.
Swimming for just 30 minutes once a week is a method of reducing stress and enjoying some “you-time”. At Bowood, along with our steam and sauna facilities, you’ll no doubt want to spend much longer in our pool and health suite.
Relaxing in the spa can help you feel good. It could help reduce your blood pressure and is a great way to get moving.
If a weekend break at Bowood including time to kick back in the spa is one that tempts you, then you’ll be pleased to learn that our membership offers all of this at a discounted price.
All eateries no matter how big or how small seem to be jumping on board with the new awareness month, known as ‘Veganuary’.
With 2019 being a massive year in relation to the growth in popularity of plant-based diets, it is no surprise that this annual celebration is being adopted by so many in 2020.
Should you be making your way to Bowood this January, Vegan or not, you can have the option to chow down on our most elaborate and creative vegan menu to date in The Shelburne Restaurant.
Do you know your history? If so, our next Quiz Night in The Clubhouse Brasserie could be calling for you.
The theme for our next Bowood Quiz Night is 20th Century Events. Think WW1, the first man on the moon, women getting the right to vote to name a few…
We may well be in Wiltshire, however, that doesn’t mean we can’t join in the Scottish Burns Night celebrations.
Warm the cockles with a night of whisky, haggis and January jolliness…
Bowood will brighten the depths of winter this January with a traditional Scottish Burns Night menu in The Shelburne Restaurant.
Expect delicious Scottish traditional food and a choice of Scottish whiskies.
Ok, so if even if you are laying off the calories this January, why not reward yourself by wrapping up the diet a day early with an end of month feasting for only £49 in The Shelburne Restaurant?
That’s right, our Two Dine for £49 is returning with a brand new menu.
This is most certainly going to fill up quickly so make sure you booking well in advance.
We all know the day is coming. And if you want to treat that special someone in your life, then we have just the thing in our Shelburne Restaurant on 14th February 2019.
Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner, cooked by our talented Head Chef, Ed Fortune and expect a glass of fizz on your arrival.
It must be love.
Get ahead of the game, ready for summer, with some winter golf coaching Bowood PGA Golf Academy.
Whether you are a complete beginner or are wanting to hone your skills, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and teaching from our PGA Golf Pro’s. And if you’re a Bowood Golf Member you’ll get a discount on your lessons too.
Should you not fancy coaching, then use the quieter winter season to get out on the course for less with 18-holes Monday to Friday from only £35 per person with 50 range balls included and 10% off in the Bowood Golf Pro Shop.
Have you pledged to get fit for the new year? Or do you feel a bit out of your depth at your local gym?
Bowood is a welcoming place for new gym-goers, as well as those with more experience. Our personal trainers will consider your current fitness and work on your strengths and weaknesses.
The mission? To get you in better shape for 2020.
If you are already fairly fit and want to take your fitness to the next level then why not sign up to Bowood’s 10km fun run?
It’s a perfect run if you’re thinking of taking on a half marathon or marathon in the future, the Bowood House 10km is in its 32nd year.
On a slightly different note, engaged couples may choose to make a booking for our Wedding Open Evening in February.
Come and visit the hotel and see if we have what you are looking for to create your perfect wedding.
With beautiful gardens and an adventure playground for children, it is well worth considering purchasing an early bird season ticket for Bowood House and Gardens.
Early-bird sale ends on 31st January 2020.
If you want to enjoy the best winter yet, then become a member of Bowood this January. You can enjoy all these fabulous activities and more, all at a discounted price.
Interested in any of the above goings-on? If so, drop us an email and we’d love to count you in.
Make some time to rejuvenate after a busy and indulgent festive period ready for the spring…
What does the phrase ‘New Year New Me’ have in common with Michael Bublé, tinsel… cloves?
For 91.7% of our lives, the phrase is dormant. Out of sight, out of mind (in the dusty attic of the brain). But, just like clockwork, when mid-December comes around you can be sure it’ll be back.
We grow out of Santa and the Tooth Fairy, but if we grow out of New Year then, as of December 2019, we haven’t. Like a cringeworthy but ultimately loveable Christmas film, it wins us round every year. The reason we are so receptive to it is simple.
Human cultures find the possibility of re-invention compelling. We always have. The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, 4,000 years ago. Wind forward two millennia and the Romans made January the western calendar’s reset button. Roman new year celebrations honoured Janus, their god of beginnings and endings. We honour beginnings and endings to this day. They frame our lives. They divide up the profound dimensions of time and space into neat sections. Today, tomorrow, next year. It gives us control in a mysterious and often unknowable universe.
Few people make religious resolutions these days. Even fewer know who Janus is (now you’re one of them). But the first day of the year and the decade (1/1/2020 of course being both) are new beginnings to us now as much as they were to the Romans.
At the dawn of a new decade, maybe we should ask ourselves if traditional resolutions are worth the sacrifices we make for them? Think of the classics: you buy a gym membership, or vow to diet, or give up something you enjoy. Resolutions usually involve strict sacrifice and obedience. It’s small wonder we tire of them so quickly; we need wriggle room and more positive reinforcement. Forget compulsive exercise and carb vetoes. Maybe the answer lies in finding sports and healthy foods we actually enjoy, and slowly building them into our routine?
So far so good, but the meteoric rise of wellness trend has changed our New Year New Me mentality. Wellness, the pursuit of optimum wellbeing in our emotional and physical lives, has changed when we seek re-invention. It needn’t be once a year. It cannot be undone by a false move. Wellness suggests that we can improve ourselves in any moment of any day. It’s as easy as breathing deeply with a calm app, and as quick as a five minute sauna session to sweat the small stuff away.
Crucially, wellness is about feeling good, rather than looking good. You know the fizz-fuelled optimism of midnight on December 31st ? Wellness rides the same wave, but it doesn’t come crashing down on Jan 1st , or even Blue Monday. Wellness won’t tell you you’ve failed, or serve you a mocktail of guilt.
The best thing about focusing on wellness in 2020 over a set of narrow resolutions is that it tends to last. Traditional NY resolutions tend to be about purging ourselves after our festive indulgences. They smack of guilt and dissatisfaction. But wellness is part of a wider commitment to living a good life.
Maybe it’s the lack of regiment that makes it sustainable in the long-term? We might like to shake things up every now and then, but that’s the exception to the rule. We are creatures of habit. Harsh measures like giving up sugar or signing up for a 6am boot camp might last a few weeks. Making time for simple pleasures and noticing how they benefit your health can last a lifetime.
Escape the city to wander in dense greenery, spotting wildlife and breathing fresh air. Curl up before a roaring fire and read a good book. Take a reflexology class or have a massage and reconnect with your body’s signals. These behaviours are naturally rewarding, so you are far more likely to fall into the habit of repeating them.
Thanks in part to TV series like The Office, team building has a bit of a bad rep. Or at least, we think of it as clichéd and pointless. That’s because sometimes it can be.
Building teams where members are close takes time. It isn’t achieved by trust falling into a colleague’s arms or blindfolded physical guidance exercises that involve personal space invasion. No one likes that.
Nor are they built by pseudo-philosophical visualisations around buzz words like integrity, dynamism, cooperation, and so on. They are not built by imagining each other as wild animals in a hierarchical system either—with a lion at the top. Exquisitely awkward.
The issue with team building, especially corporate is what it chooses to focus on. Too many corporate team building consultants and bosses assume team building is either forcing closeness or shoehorning in lessons around leadership. The former can do more harm than good, and the latter isn’t team building at all. It’s a veiled reinforcing of corporate culture.
In order to achieve the wholesome results desired, where your team becomes emotionally stronger and closer you must remove the work element. Even if something takes place away from the workplace, that doesn’t mean it’s not saturated by it.
Just think, how do we make friends? We don’t play contrived games and extract painstaking reductions about our “personality types”. That’s too mechanical. We make friends by connecting, human to human. Shared interests, humour, empathy, kindness, overcoming adversity together.
This can take place at work but transcends it.
As you’ve gathered it’s wise to avoid the corporate stuff. It’s banal at best and doesn’t make people feel appreciated. However, once you start thinking of team building as a social it becomes easier. Suddenly there’s a wealth of options.
A social? That’s not team building. Oh, but it is. The office Christmas party is a better “team building” exercise than the dreaded customer care role play. Why?
Because it’s relaxed and facilitated by tipple. No agenda, no prescribed socialisation. People can connect in their own way. You don’t have to call it team building, but team building can be as simple as a meal out or as complex as a survival skills weekend. Of course, not every company has lots of money to spend—so it’s worth remembering it’s the thought that counts. If you’ve tried and your team enjoys themselves, that’s what matters. There should be no pressure to “professionally develop”.
Now you’re thinking about it as socialisation its importance should be clear. At work none of us are 100% ourselves. That’s not to say we’re in an environment where we shouldn’t be ourselves—some workplaces are very relaxed. This is perfect, although, we’re still there to do a job so we’re in work mode. This isn’t as conducive a situation to make friends as outside of work.
To truly flourish, and evolve into more than professional relationships, friendships must be given time to solidify away from work—without spreadsheets, meetings, deadlines, and conference calls.
A team in which the members genuinely care for one another is a remarkable thing and has an irreplaceable worth for a business. This happens when people get to know each other in a deeper sense, not possible when there’s work to be done. When people do bond properly, this changes the dynamic of a business.
Being friends with colleagues has profound benefits, which naturally influence how well people can do their jobs. You can’t teach this.
If your team develops close friendships, by default you’ll see many things improving in your business. For starters productivity will increase. If people are work acquaintances, rather than friends, they have to navigate small talk and find it difficult to move forwards with projects and activities. Once people are friends, the surface conversation dries up and interactions become meaningful.
People’s comfortableness with one another will translate into heightened productivity because less energy is expended on formalities.
If your employees are friends, they will experience greater job satisfaction. Few of us are satisfied enough with our jobs that we’d reject work friends. We’ve all experienced jobs we’d have quit sooner if it wasn’t for the fantastic people we worked with. That’s a standard in life.
True friends are also able to instinctually deal with setbacks, by naturally supporting one another. You don’t have to say, “band together”, because they already have. All in all, encouraging authentic friendships to blossom by offering thoughtful team building days and trips away massively improves your team’s effectiveness.
When pitted against a team where people are new to one another or haven’t been able to gel, a team of friends significantly outperforms on collaborative tasks. This is because they communicate fluidly and consistently give each other feedback. A solid team of friends can take on anything and anyone.
At Bowood, we know the value of authentic team-building experiences. Therefore, we don’t just offer space for corporate events, but also exciting social activities too.
Team building at Bowood—
Your team building break at Bowood could be the perfect mix between thrilling fun and good old-fashioned relaxation. Your team will be able to let their hair down and have a fantastic time. Afterwards, existing friendships will be stronger and new friendships will have formed.
As the Great British Summer draws in our attention is slowly drawing to autumn. Are you ready for bright crisp mornings and colourful falling leaves? Wiltshire is a great place to visit in the autumn, get cosy and enjoy a break with us.
And here at Bowood, we’re more energised than ever. We have so many events coming up, we couldn’t be more excited.
We look forward to welcoming families, couples, groups, and individuals to our luxury hotel.
If you are going to be our guest this month, then you’ll be pleased to discover what we have in store.
We have a variety of autumn events for different people- of all ages and interests. Our events include Halloween ball and enchanted autumn where Children can follow our scarecrow trial or do biscuit decorating and much more. Here is our line-up of exciting events this autumn.
Join us at Bowood House & Gardens this Autumn and discover the spooky goings on. Discover the spooky comings and goings between October 23rd and November 1st 2019.
An evil witch has caused mischief and mayhem, putting Bowood under a spell that is haunting the whole Estate! Help us reverse the spell and bid farewell to the Bowood ghosts and ghouls.
£35.00 – Last Couple Dates Remaining
The private walled garden is a spectacular place to visit. It is open to groups and individuals to book an exclusive tour. These tours run until early October.
Choose from the following tour options:
Things are getting a little eerie here on the Bowood Estate this Halloween
November 1st, 7:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Bowood is becoming bewitchingly overcome as we play host to one of Wiltshire’s most exclusive Halloween parties sponsored by Anning’s Gin.
Guests and their acquaintances will arrive from 7:00pm donning their most terrifyingly fabulous fancy dress before a bloodcurdling buffet banquet being served from 8:00pm. Our Demon DJ will then be playing us through the evening with a few unexpected surprises along the way.
Tickets – £25 – £28
Enjoy a delicious two course lunch in the company of Carolyn Roberts, survivor of the Boxing Day Tsunami in Thailand. Over 150 Britons lost their lives in the tsunami that ravaged the coasts of the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day 2004.
Carolyn and her husband were amongst the 10,000 British nationals directly affected when the tsunami hit. Join us from 12:30pm, for lunch at 1:00pm, when Carolyn will reveal her ever-fresh memories of that incomprehensible day.
Join us this November for our next Bowood Quiz Night in The Brasserie…
Put your knowledge of the below topics to the test at our ‘celebration’ themed Bowood Quiz Evening. Drinks and food will be available to purchase from The Brasserie Bar.
Some of the topics to be covered in this months quiz will include:
Price: £5 per person (maximum of five people per team)
Join us on Saturday 23rd November for an evening of contemporary dining in our beautiful Shelburne Restaurant, where ‘Two will Dine for £49’.
Inspired by the season, our Executive Chef has crafted a bespoke three-course menu perfect for a special occasion, a date night or just for a cheeky treat!
Come along to our festive shopping evening in the Hotel Library. You should expect special offers on Christmas gifts, a pop-up nail bar, mince pies, and of course lots of mulled wine!
This is a very popular evening with limited spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Changes have been afoot at Bowood too, with a re-think of our memberships and a push towards a new approach and era for the club. Identifying the barriers to play and how we can elevate the experience has been top of our agenda.
Golf is seeing tough times. But why? A recent article in Golf Monthly suggests a ‘recalibration’ within a growth and decline cycle is the reason behind some facilities closing.
But is the true nub of the problem just basic economics? Supply and demand? It’s not quite so black and white, but what we do know, is without external investment from the golf-playing public, clubs will continue to decline and courses close.
We thought it would be good timing for an update on what has been going on at Bowood so far this year. How we are building upon our latest appointment as an elite PGA member – read our Blog for what this means to Bowood, and our plans and aspirations for the club in order to secure its future.
A recent article in Golf Monthly highlighted that the simple fundamental economic practice of matching supply and demand is the key to a successful golf club.
We recognise this fact and as a result, appointed Mark Sealey as Membership Manager in late 2018 to redress membership and its direct effect upon the club’s future and community.
He didn’t waste time, identifying the need to introduce new membership categories to increase accessibility especially for the younger golfers who were previously priced out.
If the club is to prosper, we need to look to the next generation. A fantastic course without players simply won’t survive.
With the help of our Director of Golf, Ben and the Golf Team, membership has increased by 40% in the last 6 months – a feat worthy of praise but more importantly, the right social glue to secure its future.
We are very close to having a waiting list for 7-day golf members here at Bowood with Academy and Junior Academy Membership increasing significantly over the past 12 months. Much to our delight, female members have doubled moving towards a membership equilibrium inspiring the next generation.
Challenging times for our Head Greenkeeper, Jaey. We hope you’ve been following his monthly Course Reviews as he and his team keep us informed with what is happening on the course.
His hard work may not always be evident so it’s a great insight into how he manages the weather, plans maintenance and presents a course in tip-top condition.
So far this year Jaey and his team have been building upon last years’ extensive fairway renovation programme with the aim of improving play year-round.
The benefits of intensive overseeding with bentgrass will soon become evident as the greens show signs of seed taking root.
Keep an eye out for work due to start shortly on re-levelling selected tees too.
As membership has gained traction, so have our Captains Sue and Chris. They have been fundamental in making the club a more welcoming and informal golf experience for members and visitors, existing and new.
How? By adopting a fresh modern forward-thinking attitude. An attitude with ambition.
They recognise the importance of bringing golf into a new era and how younger golfers will be instrumental to the growth of golf and life of the club at Bowood.
Interesting facts…
England Golf research shows that in 2017, 67% of all young people took part in some form of golf activity. That’s about 5.35 million youngsters in England but to the backdrop of ‘traditional’ junior memberships in decline.
The ‘one size fits all’ approach to junior membership turns its back on the needs of younger players and their families. Not everyone wants to become the next Tiger Woods and what may be fun for a 6-year old won’t float-the-boat of a teenager.
You need to onboard the parent too. It takes a commitment from both parties. From the feedback we’ve received, the introduction of a comprehensive junior development programme for specific age groups has been successful.
Let’s not avoid the issue of fees. Quite frankly, younger players were priced out. The new Membership and Tuition Packages acknowledge the needs of young players and have been adjusted. Last year, as part of our Black Friday initiatives we gave our junior members and other young golfers locally free Academy Course Membership to help break that barrier to entry.
We appreciate we must compete with other sports and activities so pricing needs to be competitive and offer value for money.
Our Pro golfers are PGA professionals with over 50 years’ experience. If you’ve played on our course before and experienced some coaching, you’ll know the skill level of our coaches and their ability to progress junior, beginner, intermediate and even “European Tour” players.
They do this through their in-depth knowledge of the game and coaching expertise.
Using our Trackman, TPI, Flightscope and Swing analysis services alongside custom fitting sessions and being down with the latest advances in equipment means our Pros can take your game to the next level.
Their love of golf is apparent and being on-hand and approachable, key to the experience we want to cultivate here at Bowood.
Junior Golf Director Gregg, inspires the little ones and works tirelessly to ensure coaching is fun, relaxed and informative whilst challenging in our Junior PGA Golf Academy.
Courses are specifically tailored to junior golfers of all ages. They run on week nights during term time then throughout the school holidays. Private tuition is also available to develop your child further.
Ben, our Director of Golf and one of Today’s Top 50 Golf Coaches in the UK is always on hand for inspiration, tips and the latest equipment recommendations. He’s learnt from the very best and has a great aptitude for bringing out the best in your game.
Our Pro golfers are PGA professionals with over 50 years’ experience. If you’ve played on our course before and experienced some coaching, you’ll know the skill level of our coaches and their ability to progress junior, beginner, intermediate and even “European Tour” players.
They do this through their in-depth knowledge of the game and coaching expertise.
Using our Trackman, TPI, Flightscope and Swing analysis services alongside custom fitting sessions and being down with the latest advances in equipment means our Pros can take your game to the next level.
Their love of golf is apparent and being on-hand and approachable, key to the experience we want to cultivate here at Bowood.
Junior Golf Director Gregg, inspires the little ones and works tirelessly to ensure coaching is fun, relaxed and informative whilst challenging in our Junior PGA Golf Academy.
Courses are specifically tailored to junior golfers of all ages. They run on week nights during term time then throughout the school holidays. Private tuition is also available to develop your child further.
Ben, our Director of Golf and one of Today’s Top 50 Golf Coaches in the UK is always on hand for inspiration, tips and the latest equipment recommendations. He’s learnt from the very best and has a great aptitude for bringing out the best in your game.
Attracting players to a course is one thing, maintaining them is another. There’s no room for those that ‘rest on their laurels’. As a result, golf is entering a transformational and exciting period.
Yes, a great course is paramount. Yes, the clubhouse needs to be welcoming, the Pros friendly, juniors thriving and fees value for money.
But golf must move forward. Open its arms, and get with the program.
We hope you will join us at Bowood for this new exciting era of golf.
Our Unlimited Summer Golf Day Pass is just one step towards making golf more accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone.
Unlimited golf can be enjoyed by all as it’s valid on our 18 hole championship PGA Course and Academy Course and includes driving range balls, access to the Putting Green and handy 10% discount for our Pro Golf Shop.
Get some practice in before an upcoming tournament or better still, round up some friends for a golf social and have a few games for less Monday to Thursday. Don’t’ forget we have the Halfway House for on-course refreshments or for something a bit more substantial, our Clubhouse Brasserie so you can make the most of your day.
If you are a member or guest of Bowood, then you’ll be all too familiar with our efforts to really get to know those who walk through our doors.
It’s true. We share more than just our magnificent location with all who visit. We care about our guests and aim to establish long-standing relationships with all of them.
We keep no secrets.
That said, there are still lots of remarkable things to discover about Bowood that you don’t yet know about.
Here we unveil 10 facts you didn’t know about Bowood that simply add to the charm of the hotel. Read on to find out about them:
Those guests or members who have checked in to one of our hotel bedrooms maybe already be aware that every elements of their room has been handpicked by Lady Lansdowne, an established interior designer.
Many of the patterns on the upholstery and curtains has been taken from textiles and artwork which can be found at Bowood’s Eighteenth Century Country House & Gardens in the otherside of the Estate.
Bowood is a historical and artistic gemstone. There is so much culture and heritage in our hotel, it is hard to see it all in just one visit.
The artwork is definitely a priority sight.
Our in-house curator ensures guests know all there is to discover about Bowood’s original artwork.
A couple of pieces to take a look at are:
a. The Portrait of the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne. It is a three-quarter-length image of Marquess who is seated and wearing black morning dress combined with red Academic robes.The portrait is signed, inscribed and dated ‘H Riviere 1900./ Head copied from unfinished/ portrait head by Frank Holl’ . By Henri Rivière (1864-1951). 1900.
Henry, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne was intellectual and had an important political career. This is apparent from the painting from his academic attire. Described by Queen Victoria as “very clever and amiable”, the portrait is a reflection of his significant political posts, including Governor-General of Canada which he was appointed for in 1883 and the Secretary of State for War (1895-1900).
b. A series of paintings by James Morrison in The Library from 1990/1991 showing Tullybeagles – the Lansdowne Scottish house.
c. A modern oil copy of Kitty Fisher by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was (still is) one of the most famous British portrait painters. Kitty Fisher was a famous mistress of famous and wealthy men. She was famous, not for talent, but for simply being a beautiful courtesan.
d. An engraving of Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, by Charles Turner. Margaret was a very close friend of Princess Charlotte and Lord Byron. Her daughter married the 4th Marquess.
e. A bronze bust of the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne by Kevin Gannon, located in the bar.
HRH Duchess of Cornwall cut the ribbon and unveiled a plaque when the hotel was opened 10 years ago. As a member of the Royal Family, wife of Prince Charles, it was a pleasure to welcome The Duchess on our opening day, only a decade ago.
Bowood pride ourselves on being kind to the environment. The hotel’s central heating is powered by a biomass burner. The wood chippings used to power the burner are scrap wood sourced from the Estate Forestry.
It is not surprising with our romantic suites and beautiful setting that many couples choose to start their married life at the hotel. In fact, over 400 couples have got married at Bowood.
The number of wild deer roaming freely around the estate is vast. They can be seen in herds, grazing and relaxing on the Academy golf course from pretty much every window on the south-facing side of the hotel.
Visitors from the London area who spend time at Richmond Park will definitely feel at home around the Deer at our hotel.
Guests often admire these elegant creatures and feel they add to Bowood’s unique ambiance…
Many years ago, the Estate builders used to dig clay from a pit on the left hand side of the second golf hole to make bricks to build cottages on the estate. The woods where the builders dug this clay are now called Brick Kiln. Some of the cottages are now home to some of the hotel team members including our General Manager.
We have a thriving population of brown hares on the golf course.If you ever pay the hotel a visit, why not follow the public footpath and go ‘form-finding’?
In January 1841, Isambard Kingdom Brunel completed the London to Chippenham section of the Great Western Railway. From then on, the Third Marquess of Lansdowne travelled to and from London by train. Before this railway was built, the main entrance to the estate was from the east, through Pillars Lodge.
On completion of the railway, Lord Lansdowne commissioned Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament, to build a new lodge on the western perimeter of the park at the point closest to Chippenham station. In the centre of these gates, which you enter through today, are the gold crossed L’s. The name “Golden Gates” was, as a result, an obvious choice.
107,857 people have stayed in a double room at the hotel and 35,952 guests have stayed in a single room. That’s 143,809 guests in total.
If you would like to join the thousands of guests who have stayed in the hotel, then book a room on our website. And we look forward to welcoming you.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Sunday 31st March 2019 is the designated day in the UK to show mothers and grandmothers just how important they are with a Mother’s Day treat.
This week, bunches of flowers, boxes of chocolates and bottles of Prosecco will be whipped off the shelves by sons and daughters everywhere.
According to muchneeded.com, £50 million is spent on greetings cards, £260 million is spent on flowers and a whopping £1.4 billion is the estimated amount spent in retail stores. And that is for Mother’s Day in the UK alone.
It seems that we certainly do like to spoil mum.
And it isn’t just mothers, the site also claims that 35% of shoppers are buying gifts for their grandmothers too.
Another fun fact, according to history.com, is that the number of phone calls is higher on Mother’s Day than any other time of year- and phone traffic increases by 37%.
Whether you enjoy a long chat on the phone or send your mum a bunch of flowers, Mother’s Day is, without a doubt, a significant celebration for all generations. It is a day when the whole family often come together to thank the female relatives for all that they do.
We know that Mother’s Day provides us with the opportunity to show mums the appreciation they don’t always receive throughout the year. However, it is also important to ask; what is the meaning behind Mother’s Day and when did it originally start?
Here are five historical insights into Mother’s Day that we’ve researched here at Bowood (and we’re pretty certain you won’t have heard all of them before):
A very basic form of Mother’s Day started thousands of years ago during the time of the ancient Greeks and the Romans.
Historical knowledge has unveiled that people celebrated festivals in honour of the mother goddesses – Rhea and Cybele.
Rhea and Cybele were goddesses and, most importantly, maternal figures. They were often depicted as plump women- representing female fertility, motherhood and generation.
Before the official “Mother’s Day” was recognised, “Mothering Sunday” was often celebrated in the UK and was based upon Christianity.
“Mothering Sunday” generally fell on the fourth Sunday of lent, three weeks before Easter. On this day every year, families would return to their local church and attend a service with relatives and neighbours.
Mother’s Day has definitely become more “American” over the years. Slowly but surely, British people have favoured the custom of giving gifts to their mothers.
Why?
Mother’s Day as we know it was born in America.
In the 1800s, it started off as “Mother’s Day Work Clubs”, put together before the Civil War by West Virginia’s Ann Marie Jarvis.
When the civil war started, Jarvis changed these groups to “Mothers’ Friendship Day”—primarily aimed to promote peace between woman across the north south divide.
Jarvis’ good work was continued by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. Howe again called upon mothers to promote World Peace and campaigned for “World Peace Mother’s Day” to take place annually on June 2nd.
And that lady was the daughter of Ann Marie Jarvis- Anna Jarvis.
She began the official Mother’s Day in the US after her mother’s death in 1905. She wanted the day to be a celebration of how much mothers sacrificed for their children.
Jarvis was not married and did not have any children herself. Yet she campaigned for a Mother’s Day celebration for about 9 years.
She started her journey towards making Mother’s Day a public holiday through gaining financial backing from John Wanamaker.
Wanamaker owned a Philadelphia department store and was in a comfortable position.
The first-ever Mother’s Day took place in a Methodist church located in Virginia. This was, of course, attended by Jarvis herself.
On the same day, a celebration for mothers took place in Wanamaker’s department store.
For nine years following the initial Mother’s Day celebration, Jarvis worked hard to raise awareness of the occasion. She even established the “Mother’s Day International Association” to promote her idea and fund her efforts.
After a lot of hard work and campaigning by Jarvis, American President Woodrow Wilson signed a contract stating that Mother’s Day would be the second Sunday in May.
And that is when Mother’s Day was made an official public holiday in 1914.
Since it has been made official, International Mother’s Day is celebrated annually by countries across the globe on the second Sunday in May.
Although there are many different varieties of Mother’s Day that take place globally, on different days, International Mother’s Day can be shared by all countries.
In the UK, we have the choice to celebrate two Mother’s Days. Our main celebration takes place on the third Sunday of lent, three weeks before Easter. And International Mother’s Day takes place in line with America’s public holiday (albeit on a much smaller scale).
If you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day in March, you can indulge in our excellent gourmet.
Come and dine in our restaurant with the whole family.
Choose from either of our Sunday lunch options- either À la Carte or a traditional three-course carvery. Or come along for Afternoon Tea.
Dine on succulent beef, seasoned turkey, fresh salmon or vegetarian stew and dumplings if you book a table for lunchtime.
Families coming for afternoon tea will enjoy a sandwiches, scones, pâtisserie items, a glass of Prosecco, tea and coffee.
Whichever option you go for, you can be sure to receive a warm welcome and enjoy an extra-special Mother’s Day at Bowood.
