Due to our very successful past pre-Christmas holiday breaks - and it would not be the same without them - Helen has decided to book another holiday for the end of this year, staying at the four star Stoke by Nayland Golf and Spa Hotel, 4 nights
Departing on Sunday 26th of November to Thursday 30th of November 2023.
The sole occupancy room bookings will be given as a priority to leaders and members that contribute to the group, however we have 20 rooms so there is a good chance their will not be a reserve list but it will be on a first come first served basis after the priority bookings.
About the holiday
It will consist of four nights, staying at the 4 star, Stoke by Naylan Golf and Spa Hotel near Colchester on the Essex/Suffolk border. This includes: coach travel there and back; bed and breakfast; packed lunch; evening meal in our own function room and our own evening festive programme; 3 days of walking; and use of the coach every day for walks and trips out to areas of local interest.
About the Hotel
The family-owned 4 star Stoke by Nayland resort is a contemporary hotel, golf & spa resort set in 300 acres now designated an Area of outstanding Beauty near Colchester. The family involvement influences the way in which employees are trained & the relationships built between the teams. They believe that guests should be made to feel welcome, valued and important from the minute they turn into the driveway & strive to achieve the highest standard of customer service by listening to guests & taking pride in delivering the best possible experience.
There is an 18.3M pool, sanarium (a variation of the traditional Finnish sauna; classified between the classic hot & dry sauna & steam baths), Jacuzzi, steam room and more!
If you don’t fancy walking every day why not try their two championship golf courses: the Gainsborough and the Constable, both created in the early ’70s & named after two local famous artists, Thomas Gainsborough & John Constable. Both courses include the challenges of lakes, streams & woodland. Guests of the hotel enjoy a 20% discount on green fees.
There is lots more to check out so see link below to the hotels website.
Stoke by Nayland | Hotel, Golf & Spa on the Suffolk & Essex Border
Prices per person are
£463.00 for a double/twin (6 doubles and 8 twins)
£495.00 for a sole occupancy double (20)
The deposit will be £100.00.
Travel
We will be travelling by coach using a coach and holiday company called Woods Travel of Bognor. The four pick up points are: Oxted, Warlingham, Caterham and Godstone. These pick-ups are as the same as before and full addresses will be sent out nearer to the time. We will be setting off in the afternoon to arrive for check in.
Walks and Visits
Brian S has kindly offered to organise the walks, and there is plenty of choice of interesting locations in the area.
The Hotel is based in the Dedham Vale AONB, also known as Constable Country after the famous painter of English rural scenes, with many pretty historic villages such as Stoke-by-Nayland, Lavenham and East Bergholt (and Flatford Mill) to visit. It also lies near the route of the picturesque River Stour and at least one of our walks will follow the Stour Valley Path. Whilst some may think of Suffolk countryside as being entirely flat, this is not correct, as John Constable’s paintings show, but it’s unlikely there will be any steep ascents, so the walking will generally be unchallenging. But make no mistake this is a very scenic part of the country, even in winter.
As usual there will be two walks on offer for each of the 3 days: the shorter walks of 5-6 miles will be led at a Leisurely pace. The longer walks will be led at a Moderate pace. We will have use of the coach during the week, to take us to and/or from the walks as necessary.
It may also be possible to visit the Roman city of Colchester for those not wanting to walk.
If you would like to attend this holiday an email will be sent out on Tuesday 24th of January at 1.00pm with the full details on how to book. Helen will then confirm bookings after 5pm
Many thanks
Helen Whiteley
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