A challenge for you...help me find the right place to take my mum.

[CountessDracula]

My mum has had a horrible year. Her husband had a stroke at Easter and is now bonkers in a home. Then last weekend she blacked out and fell backwards down the stairs, she woke up god knows how much later with a v bad head injury from landing on her flagstone kitchen floor and has only today come out of hospital.

I really think she needs a bit of a break, so I want to take her somewhere for a long weekend in January, just the two of us, to somewhere where she can really relax. Pref with some leisure facilities/massage, roaring fires, excellent food etc. Nothing stuffy or corporatey, pref within an hour or two's drive of Winchester.

Can anyone suggest the ideal place. Even a really good B&B type place, she is not bowled over by big hotels.

Nutfield Priory?

ragdalehall?

I've stayed at Henlow Grange, which was very relaxing, but have heard good things about Forestmere - they are all part of the same management group now - Forestmere is nearer to you I think.

I've stayed at this hotel, which has lovely spa facilities and is just a beautiful place in which to unwind - Danesfield House . I'm not sure how far it would be from you.

sorry, Ragdale Hall is in Leicestershire - not sure if that would be too far?

Thanks you pair of dragons! will check those out

Anyone been to the Bailiffscourt Hotel in Climping? here

Yes I think it would but thanks for the thought Vict17. I'm in London, but I just feel that she would like something relatively near home in case she had to rush back if my stepfather got suddenly worse

No, but it looks lovely - really unusual.

or this one? in Midhurst,the Spread Eagle - I think she would like that kind of thing, small and pretty

Nutfield Priory is lovely (but expensive). It looks really posh but no one batted an eyelid when we took 4mth old DS1 down to dinner in his carseat so it's not stuffy.

The rooms in the spreadeagle look a bit vile actually

Pennyhill Park in Bagshot?

Nutfield Priory is lovely (had wedding reception there), but some of the rooms are in definite need of an update, so beware. Lots are gorgeous, some are a bit tatty.

Restaurant is great though and gorgeous views.

More food for thought, not stayed in them but maybe someone else has.

Amberley Castle

Grayshott Hall

www.lulworthbeachhotel.com/

I stayed at Nutfield priory recently CD and the service was truly excellent. Very kind, attentive (but not over the top) efficient staff. I didn't see the grounds (flying visit, business) but gather from the website that they're nice. I had a small room but my colleagues was a larger one and was OK. It's not cool or boutique, more your trad country place. Great grand hall though and good food and a library and several other lounging about type rooms with open fires. What about Hotel Du Vin in Winchester? Or is that too near home? I've also stayed at Pennyhill Park (business again, few years ago so it may have changed) and remember it was very nice. Have been slavering over hotel webites recently, will have a look in my favourites and see if there's anywhere else in that direction that I thought looked nice.

BTW, was a female colleague and I looked at room out of nosiness in case you were wondering how I know!

What about The Old Mill in Salisbury? have stayed but long ago so it's prob changed a lot. Coddy, what's it like now? Nice location, restful but not that posh.

Or The Old Passage in Glos? crap website but rooms look ok.

This, The Cotswold House, looks a real treat!

How about the pudding club hotel

Wow loads of food for thought there. Thanks everyone

hi cd, your mum has had an awful time! i can recommend either nutfield or the spread eagle. neither is overwhelmingly posh, but good enough to feel cared for. i've also heard great things about amberley castle, but haven't stayed there myself (more's the pity if the reports are anything to go by! )

oh hello, just saw your post re rooms in the spread eagle - the ones we had were fine - i suppose it depends on your taste/preference etc...

Best wishes to your Mum.
Rowhill Grange ?

CD, I've just found this, The White Hart at Calne which looks like it might be nice and is cheap too! (I know that's not the main thing but it looks like they're trying very hard atm).