Breakfast was lovely but just as quirky as I remembered it. The continental breakfast options were even more limited than they were on our previous visit where meats and cheese were available but no bread. This time there was no bread, cheese or meats, just fruit and cereals and a token croissant and cake. However, I was able to select items from the full cooked breakfast; the food was delicious and presented in an appealing way.
After breakfast, we drove to Stoneleigh Abbey which started life as a Cistercian monastic house before being converted to a family home after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. We were guided around the house by Hugo who is a fount of knowledge regarding the history of the house and its former owners. Afterwards, we walked around the Humphrey Repton styled grounds before having lunch in the Abbey tearoom. The food was excellent but the menu led to some things having to be ordered in ‘sets’ rather than individually. I was could only have have tea with my cheese scone and had to pay extra for my drink of choice.
It was a bit late to venture further afield so we returned to Stratford and mooched around some different shops including the Shakespeare House bookshop. I was hoping to find a book that I had seen advertised in the programme for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ but I had forgotten to write down the book title before leaving on our travels. I knew I would recognize the book when I saw it but it was not immediately visible.
Now to plan B; visit the RSC shop. I had a little chuckle as we entered the RSC, I knew that our bags would be searched. We were carrying a couple of shopping bags with items that we had picked up in town. This led to a lot of amusement as our bags were inspected before we entered the shop.
Once inside, I asked one of the assistants to help me by looking in the Midsummer Night’s Dream programme where we found the advert for the book I was looking for, after which she soon located the book, ‘Shakespeare’s House’ within the shop.
Whilst I was making my purchase, I chatted with the lady who was serving me. She asked if I was local because the author was due in Stratford soon to discuss this book. We also discussed the current ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ production. Mr C and I had seen the understudy perform Puck whilst she had seen the main actor perform Puck. She told me that her friend had seen performances by both actors and thought that the main actor provided a darker version of the fairy rather than the more mischievous version displayed by the understudy.
Before we left the shop the assistant gave me a RSC production schedule and enthused over the best productions that we should come and see, including a shortened version of As You Like It that was being performed in the Garden Theatre.
Back at the hotel we had champagne and chocolates in our room, using champagne glasses that had been checked in the RSC shop’s bag search. The champagne and chocolate were Christmas gifts which we intended to enjoy on Valentines Day but saved the indulgent treat to enjoy on our rescheduled holiday. We had forgotten to bring some suitable glasses. The room only had tumblers which are not quite the thing for drinking champagne.
The expected ‘bed turn down service’ that we had requested did not arrive…
Later we dined in Loxley’s where I couldn’t resist ordering the Dried Tomato Arancini. I didn’t regret my choice and Mr C chose the curiously named ‘Rose Blood wine’ to accompany our meals.
Unusually Mr C wasn’t in the mood for a pub nightcap so we returned to the hotel to find that the bar was closed! Mr C spoke to Hotel Reception who tracked down the night porter, it was barely 10pm.
A young man arrived to help us and, as he served us, he poured out all his woes. We opted to have our nightcap in our cosy comfort of our room rather than sit in the bar area on our own!
Stoneleigh Abbey must have seemed huge when it started life as a Cistercian monastic house. But it must have seemed even “huger” after it was converted to a family home after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Nonetheless I would still have enjoyed Hugo’s guided tour.
The additions increased the size and changed the nature of the property. This history is interesting.
I’ve never been to Stoneleigh Abbey although every time we drive past I think one day I will visit. It looks lovely there.
So pleased you found your book.
Stoneliegh Abbey is well worth a visit if you get the chance.
Stoneleigh Abbey looks majestic, steeped in history. Could you see any performance at the Garden Theatre?
I didn’t see a performance in the garden theatre but we are really tempted to after the recommendation.
A few weeks before this visit to Statford-upon-Avon we watched ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the RSC
Oh I missed a lot of wonderful buildings in Stratford, definitely need to go back again.
Tempting to visit Hull too. Have you been there before? Any tips?
I love the old buildings in Shropshire’s Attingham Park and beyond. Hopefully spring is just around the corner.
How interesting the service (or lack thereof) is! I usually go with the flow but several strange experiences in a day and begin to wear on you.
I always prefer darker visions of Puck.
I tend to go with the flow too. But when something is offered and it doesn’t happen on more than one occasion I get more animated!