“WE WILL, we will, rock you!” – the famous lyrics to the Queen hit were still ringing in my ears days after I’d returned from the festival.
I’d been at Warner Leisure Hotels’ Heythrop Park in the charming town of Chipping Norton for a rock music weekend.
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Warner Leisure Hotels Heythrop Park in London hosts rock and roll parties non-stopCredit: Handout
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The Queen tribute bands are everywhere at the getawayCredit: AP
The getaway promised live music from tribute bands, non-stop dancing and rock ’n’ roll parties.
It was not like any other festival, with its drunken youths, shaky tents, and dirty toilets. I had the luxury of a luxurious hotel suite with on-site massage services, perfect for relaxing my aching dancing muscles.
Warner Leisure offers a wide range of music-themed holidays.
There are ’60s, ’70s and ’80s breaks, Motown & Soul festivals and even an Ibiza In Symphony getaway, where a 16-piece orchestra reimagines Ibiza classics.
I’m glad I left my rock-themed leather trousers at home as I may have felt a little out of place pulling up to the country house hotel steeped in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside.
The moment I stepped off the car I instantly felt like a star.
It has the grandiosity you’d expect of an 18th century building, and even more. The interior is equally impressive with a galleried lobby and interesting artifacts that tell its history.
The room in which we stayed was enormous, with high ceilings, and full of character.
What’s great about a stay here, though, is that breakfast, dinner and all entertainment is included in the price, so you can freely wander from restaurant to stage without having to shove your hand in your wallet.
Dinner on our first night was at the Market Kitchen, the resort’s only buffet restaurant (although you have the option to order from the menu), set beside a beautiful orangery with views over the grounds.
After a couple of glasses chilled rose we were all set to enjoy the many entertainment options available.
There are two venues, The Theatre and the Late Lounge, one of which always offers an alternative to the theme, so if you don’t fancy listening to a Queen tribute act you can opt for a silky-voiced soul singer.
Lavish massage
Plan your visit in advance, and enjoy an early meal.
Staff handed us headphones and we went to a smaller area of the bar to listen to a cover of Amy Winehouse or Adele.
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The Spa & Wellness centre at the hotel has many lavish facilitiesCredit: Handout
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Book other experiences, such as an afternoon tea.Credit: Handout
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You can compensate your overindulgence by having breakfast in the pub of the hotel if you have a hard time partying with rock music.Credit: Handout
If you’ve gone hard on the first night, then breakfast at the hotel’s pub, The Travelling Duke, will sort you out and compensate for any over-indulgence.
We then followed it up with a swim and lavish massage in the Spa & Wellness centre, which features a sauna, steam room, outside hot-tubs as well as a gym. What could possibly be better than this?
If you are less frail, then there is a wide range of activities available to enjoy during your stay. They include rifle-shooting, archery and even tea-tasting.
You can also book a course on cocktail making or afternoon tea for an additional fee.
On our final evening, we dressed up for dinner at Brasserie 32 in the Manor House, the resort’s posh dining experience.
It felt like stepping back into a bygone era and the menu offers choices inspired by ingredients dating back to the early 1900s, including a creamy fish pie recipe from the 1950s and Fanny Cradock’s classic prawn cocktail from 1967.
It was then time to have one final hair-down in the Late Lounge, where the Fleetwood Mac, and of course Queen, classics were played along with the flowing gin.
The music may have been all rock ’n’ roll, but our sophisticated adults getaway was anything but.
Perhaps there’s time for one more massage.
GO: ROCK ’N’ ROLL WEEKEND
Staying there: A three-night rock weekend break at Heythrop Park costs from £389pp, for arrival on November 10 and including breakfast and three-course dinners, live music, pools and activities.
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“WE WILL, we will, rock you!” – the famous lyrics to the Queen hit were still ringing in my ears days after I’d returned from the festival. I’d been at Warner Leisure Hotels’ Heythrop Park in the charming town of Chipping Norton for a rock music weekend. 5Warner Leisure Hotels' Heythrop Park is hosting non-stop rock 'n' roll partiesCredit: Handout 5Queen tribute acts are playing all over at the getawayCredit: AP The getaway promised live music from tribute bands, non-stop […]
