IT’s always a treat to unwind and luxuriate in the finer things in life and the affluent village of Alderley Edge is the place to do just that.
The pretty spot, in Cheshire’s ‘golden triangle’, is noted for its celebrity residents - many premier league stars and famous footballers have made their home there (David Beckham is just one notable former resident), out-of-this-world property and the picturesque countryside on its doorstep.
Chic boutiques, restaurants and bars line the main street of Alderley Edge and less than a minute’s walk from the centre is the magical Wizard’s Thatch boutique hotel.
On arrival, we were instantly charmed by its enchanting exterior. The 400-year-old haunt would not look out of place in the pages of a fairytale – the perfect place to escape from the stresses and strains of the real world.
The Wizard’s Thatch comprises of three self-contained suites and our home for the next two nights was the aptly-named Wizardry, the oldest part of the hotel. There’s also the Camelot and Merlin suites - the names in-keeping with the local legend that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table lie sleeping in a cavern beneath The Edge.
We entered through the old thatched porch into the low-beamed lounge of The Wizardry and just as we were charmed by the outside, the interior was just as impressive - comfy, quirky and with an great range of facilities.
The Wizardry
Our eyes were instantly drawn to the memorabilia and artefacts adorning the walls and it felt like an Aladdin’s cave waiting to be explored.
We visited at the beginning of March, prior to the coronavirus lockdown, but I imagine it would be even cosier in the autumn and winter months.
The suite is decked out with a flat screen television, DVD player, CD player, plus a library of DVDs and CDs and stacks of boardgames, so there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied.
On top of that, there’s a dining area, a microwave, toaster, kettle, full set of crockery, cutlery and glassware and an extensive selection of tea and coffee.
Upstairs, the master bedroom, with en suite bathroom facilities, boasts a magnificent four-poster bed. Featuring more than 200 separate parts, the bed measures 7ft by 6ft and is draped in red and gold tapestries - an absolute treat and the most luxurious of surroundings to enjoy a break away.
The room also includes a television, DVD and CD player and an iPod docking station, while there’s a single room next to the master bedroom if required.
The Camelot suite
After settling in and taking in our sumptuous surroundings, we went out to explore Alderley Edge and enjoyed our evening meal in one of the local restaurants, of which there is plenty to choose from whatever your taste, including Gastro pubs, Italian and Lebanese. Our bellies full, it was back to The Wizardry where the four-poster bed beckoned.
While the Wizard’s Thatch doesn’t offer breakfast as part of the room tariff, you can pay extra for a continental offering, rustle up your own or venture into the village.
A crisp and sunny March day, we decided to take a drive through the Cheshire countryside before taking advantage of the Chester Park and Ride for a meander around the walled city.
Out this way you will also find the Cheshire Oaks designer outlet, if shopping is at the top of your ‘must’ list. But those who enjoy the great outdoors needn’t travel far from The Wizard’s Thatch and the area would be of particular interest to history buffs because of its rich heritage dating back thousands of years.
A short journey takes you to The Edge. Run by the National Trust, the sandstone ridge has views over the Cheshire Plain to the Peak District. There’s plenty of walks to enjoy and you can take in the highest point, originally a Bronze Age burial mound. It was later used as a fire beacon site, which would have been lit as a signal to warn of the imminent invasion during the time of the Spanish Armada.
Alderley Edge is one of a handful of prehistoric mining sites in Britain and is the oldest known metal-mining site in England, where activity began as early as 1900 BC. The Derbyshire Caving Club now runs trips for those who want to discover the ancient copper mines and these can be booked online through its website.
Other attractions include Quarry Bank, home to a complete industrial community, and Lyme Park, famous for its role as Pemberley, where Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy emerged from the lake in the iconic scene from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Wherever you decide to explore, the Wizard’s Thatch is the perfect place to unwind and its magic certainly cast a spell on us.
The owners clearly take great pride and passion in the business - the personal touches and attention to detail really set it apart from the run-of-the-mill hotel and made our trip one to remember.
Some renovation has taken place during the lockdown period including a total re-thatch, and it’s hoped the doors will re-open later this month.
To book, visit www.wizardsthatch.co.uk or ring owner Ian Lambert on 07951 602969.
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