Oxford News
Deep Purple rock legend’s mansion and gardens open to public
The Springs Resort & Golf Club in North Stoke near Wallingford reopened three years ago following a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Formerly owned by legendary Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan, the resort – part of the Talacre-based Darwin Escapes portfolio – is one of the major employers in the region with more than 70 staff and 500 members.
READ MORE: New Deep Purple album features dynamics of 1970s
The rock star’s guitar-shaped swimming pool is no more, but manager Ben Scholes said in 2024 renovations and new facilities – including the 1893 spa and Ridgeway Restaurant – have proved incredibly popular with visitors from across the UK and beyond.
Originally from Flintshire, Mr Scholes said earlier the historic former 19th century manor house is one of the local area’s “hidden gems”.
“We are of course recognised for our first-class golfing facilities and are incredibly proud to have one of the best courses in the South-East, but following a period of significant investment the Springs has grown to become a high-quality holiday destination,” he added.
“Our restaurant is exceptionally busy throughout the week and the spa complex, which also features a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool, has attracted many visitors to the resort.
“And with more living space now on-site – the 19 luxury self-contained Alder Lodges, in addition to bespoke rooms in our boutique hotel – we are able to accommodate more guests than ever before.”
Mr Scholes added: “This in turn has led to us creating jobs, doing more to support the local economy and provide part-time and seasonal jobs in this picturesque rural area.
“The Springs is one of Oxfordshire’s hidden gems, but our reputation is now spreading across the UK, which will have a positive knock-on effect for the region.”
Sir Michael Caine and renowned contralto Dame Clara Butt are among the other famous faces to have visited North Stoke.
“The major USP we have is this beautiful part of the world, and as a result we are now getting more bookings for weddings, corporate events and hospitality packages,” said Mr Scholes.
“Even to the locals we are considered remote, so for us to now be bringing in people from across England and other parts of the country is heartening.”
He added: “People come here to get away from it all, on the banks of the River Thames surrounded by wildlife and nature.
“We are thrilled with how things have progressed since the redevelopment and how well our new facilities and luxury offering has been received nationwide and here in the community, but we won’t rest on our laurels – this is just the beginning.”
Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan bought the mock Tudor building in 1973 for £100,000 and invested £443,000 of his own money into its restoration.
It was sold in 1995 to Svenia and Paul Franklin who ran the hotel until they left in 2014.
Last month the Deep Purple frontman said the new album Splat! is returning to the “dynamics, the balance and the fun” of the music the band made in the early 1970s.
The group, formed in 1968, will release their 24th studio album on July 3.
The band has teamed up with renowned producer Bob Ezrin, who has worked with Kiss, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed and Alice Cooper for the new music, described as “the heaviest Deep Purple album in many years”.
Ian Gillan said: “Gillan said: “Where we are now with this incarnation of Deep Purple feels very much like a very ‘now’ version of Deep Purple as it was in the 70s.”
He added: “I have to say, now we are very much back in with material that is compatible with Highway Star, Smoke On The Water, Lazy – the dynamics, the balance, and the fun of the music we made from ’69 to ’73. Deep Purple is in a great place right now.”
The actress, who lives in South Oxfordshire, is well known across the world for her roles in medical drama ER as well as sci-fi giant Doctor Who, in which she played River Song.
Ms Kingston took part in the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, joining the line-up for the BBC One show’s most recent run.
The 62‑year‑old was partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, with the pair performing routines including a Cha Cha to Ring My Bell and a Foxtrot to Here You Come Again.
READ MORE: Alex Kingston reacts to ‘devastating’ Doctor Who cancellation
Ms Kingston and Mr Radebe made it into the later stages of the competition before being eliminated as the eighth couple to leave the 2025 series after a dance‑off.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have since stepped down from fronting Strictly, ending their long‑running stint as the show’s main presenting duo.
In their place, the BBC has unveiled a new three‑person team of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Mr Radebe as the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing from this autumn.
Ms Kingston has now reacted to the new trio, including seeing her own former professional partner landing one of the roles.
READ MORE: Doctor Who star Alex Kingston reveals her choice for next Doctor
Speaking to the Oxford Mail on Thursday (June 18) ahead of the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026, she said: “Well, one of the hosts is Jojo, my dance partner, so I’m intrigued because I still can’t quite figure out what his role is.
“Even though Claude and Tess weren’t dancers, they had done it for so long that they knew the dances, they knew the disciplines.
“Whenever I completed a dance, just having Tess holding my hand was that incredible bridge between what you’ve just done and the judges’ comments.
“She was just amazing, and you felt she absolutely knew and understood what you’d been through, so I think they’re very, very big shoes to fill.”
READ MORE: Alex Kingston gives verdict on Billie Piper as new Doctor Who
Ms Kingston confirmed that the move to hire Johannes in the presenting role was a good decision given his close connection with those actually competing on the BBC show.
“And as a consequence, I think it’s a very good move to have someone like Johannes, who is a professional,” she added.
“He absolutely knows what the contestants have been going through and the dancers, so maybe his role will be to bridge that gap.”
Ms Kingston was speaking ahead of her hosting the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026 ceremony on Thursday night.
You can find more breakouts from our chat on the Oxford Mail, with the full interview released later this week.
Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran urged the Government to take steps to rejoin the EU as it would be in “Britain’s best interests”.
She made the call on the 10th anniversary of the referendum, which divided the country and resulted in Britain leaving the EU.
A debate over the future of the UK-EU relationship has reignited in recent weeks after the outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made closer ties with Brussels a key pillar of his “reset” after Labour’s electoral drubbing in May.
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Andy Burnham, the man who many see as a Prime Minister-in-waiting after his Makerfield by-election win and Sir Keir’s resignation as party leader, has pledged not to “re-run” old Brexit arguments.
He has sought to play down the prospect of reversing the 2016 referendum but has said he would like to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.
Ms Moran, who spoke at the Rejoin rally on Saturday, said: ““Ten years on from the disastrous vote to leave the European Union, we are now in a place where Britain has greater inequality, is less secure and more divided.
“We would have a stronger economy and better defence if we returned to the EU.
“That is why it is in Britain’s best interests to be back in the heart of Europe.”
Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds said Britain needed to work “more closely” with the EU.
She added: “It’s critical for the UK’s economic security that we work far more closely with the EU.
“The first step must be a successful EU Summit in the Autumn. I will be pushing for deals on youth mobility, agriculture and food and emissions trading – and to go further both on economic security (including relating to automotive and tech) and defence and countering foreign interference as well”.
Pensioner David Shorter, who lives in Botley Road, Oxford, is a long-term supporter of Brexit and often decks out his home with England flags, and banners backing Brexit.
Sitting outside his home on the anniversary, he said: “We are an island and should not be part of the European Union.
“If they try to reverse Brexit it will cause major upset. We should bring back coal mining, and another big asset is North Sea oil. We should dig and drill.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Westminster had repeatedly failed to listen to people who had asked “to take control of our borders, take control of our laws, and deliver the growth they so desperately needed”.
He said: “I’ve always said that Brexit is a necessary step towards saving the country. But on its own, it’s nowhere near sufficient. It needs a government that will deliver on the freedom it gave us to drag our heads back above the water. It needs a government that will listen.
“The anger and frustration felt by the British people, the anger and distrust in the Westminster class, is a result of the utter failure of that same political class to pay attention to what it was told.
“To take control of our borders, take control of our laws, and deliver the growth they so desperately needed. These desires were ignored. And so was the optimism of the 2016 vote.”
Thames Valley Police has said it is appealing to anyone who was on Hagbourne Road at 5.20am on Monday, June 15.
In an alleyway off the Didcot street and opposite Bridge Close a man reportedly indecently exposed himself to a man in his forties.
READ MORE: Armed police called as Oxford ‘gang fight’ leaves man with ‘major injuries’
Police confirmed the victim did not sustain any injuries and that no arrests have been made at this time, although an investigation is ongoing.
The offender is described as black, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with short cropped black hair.
He was wearing a grey and black chequered jacket and blue jeans.
Investigating officer PC Ryan Scott said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen this individual, or who may have CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell footage, to please come forward.”
If you have any information that could assist the investigation, Thames Valley Police have asked that you contact them online while quoting reference number 43260298812.
READ MORE: Murder investigation launched after Oxfordshire villager’s death
Alternatively, you can report information by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A spokesperson for the police added: “All reports of exposure offences are dealt with seriously and robustly by police.
“If you witness an indecent exposure, you should call us immediately on 999.”
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