An Englishman’s home


Studley Castle offers a quintessential countryside escape a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon, finds Natalie Marsh


DESTINATIONS WARWICKSHIRE | UK & IREND


f travelweekly.co.uk


or someone who didn’t want to shoot the animals, that’s three crows she’s shot now,” I heard someone say behind me. Not real crows, I must add. I’m staring


down the barrel of a gun, one eye closed, arms supporting the weight of my weapon, finger about to squeeze the trigger. I’d hit a bullseye, struck some medals, and the only things


left standing were shaped like animals. So I took a shot at one – and the crow-shaped metal target flopped backwards. Indoor shooting is one of the activities available for guests staying at Studley Castle in Warwickshire, the newest addition to Warner Leisure Hotels’ portfolio. With Stratford-upon-Avon to the south and Birmingham to the north, Studley Castle is surrounded by quintessential English villages, rolling hills and winding country lanes. As a self-confessed city girl, spending a weekend deep in the English countryside isn’t something I’m that familiar with. However, it didn’t take me long to get on board with the idea of leaving my hectic London life behind for a weekend, and appreciating all that the Warwickshire countryside had to offer.


COUNTRY LIFE


Studley Castle sits on the Arden Way, a 26-mile circular trail that takes walkers through some beautiful countryside. We dug out our hiking boots and took to the woodland path, which passes through quaint villages such as Alcester and Henley-in-Arden. The latter’s high street is home to charming cafes, charity shops ²


26 SEPTEMBER 2019


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