Crime & Safety
Luxury Cotswold hotels inspired by Disney TV show hit Rivals
The raunchy series began filming in May last year with fans spotting infamous cast members, like David Tennant and Danny Dyer, across the countryside.
Luxury hotel groups Exclusive Collection and Calcot Collection hotel groups have three Rivals inspired stays across the Cotswolds.
The Manor House (Image: The Manor House)
The chain has highlighted ‘The Manor House’ in Castle Coombe as one of those stays.
The award-winning pub at The Manor House (Image: The Manor House)
A 14th century ivy clad country house, the hotel is complete with a Michelin star restaurant, Italian gardens, golf course and award-winning pub.
Guests can get a taste of the famed novels in what is frequently named ‘England’s prettiest village’.
The indoor fireplace at The Painswick (Image: The Painswick)
In the heart of the Cotswolds ‘The Painswick’ in Painswick is another highlight to step back into the fictional county of Rutshire.
The newly imagined restaurant of The Painswick (Image: The Painswick)
The Palladian stone mansion, which dates to back the 18th century, offers afternoon tea, a newly imagined restaurant, and a base for country walks in the Cotswolds.
The Calcot & Spa hotel (Image: Calcot & Spa)
The Calcot & Spa outdoor swimming pool (Image: Calcot & Spa)
Another hotel nestled within 200 acres of rewilded Cotswold countryside is Calcot & Spa.
Found in Tetbury the filming location for the fictional village of Cotchester, the hotel offers tennis, disc gold, an award-winning spa, and bikes to explore the estate.
The Rivals season two was filmed in multiple locations across the countryside including Berkeley, Corsham, Berkeley Castle, Tetbury, Chavenage House and Neston Park.
Crime & Safety
IN PICTURES: Prince William’s royal visit to Oxfordshire
The headquarters, located in Kidlington, showcases the team’s approach to electrification, innovation and sustainability.
After arriving this morning (Thursday, April 23), the Prince of Wales toured the trophy room and spoke to technicians and staff.
PRINCE WILLIAM IN OXFORDSHIRE
READ MORE: Prince William gets behind the wheel of Formula E racing car in Oxfordshire
READ MORE: Prince William tours Jaguar Racing base and jokes about AI drivers
Prince William also met with drivers and tried out the cockpit of a Formula E racing car onsite.
The royal then spoke with young graduates about their journey to Jaguar as well as their experience at the Oxfordshire base so far.
Having spent over an hour at the facility, His Royal Highness departed, wishing the spot well and saying his goodbyes.
The royal visit comes just weeks after his father, King Charles III, visited Oxfordshire in the nearby village of Yarnton.
Crime & Safety
Oxford – 3 to stand trial after ‘attack’ on New Year’s Day
Orgito Shahini, of Cardwell Crescent, Headington, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, April 23.
The 19-year-old is charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on New Year’s Day outside Cafe Baba and Bodrum in Cowley Road.
READ MORE: Wallingford burglar on drink and drug-fuelled crime spree
The alleged victim was named as Wesley Rangel Da Silva.
Shahini, who was assisted during the hearing by an Albanian translator, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He will stand trial on July 6 with co-defendants Arber Sparta, 22, of Cowley Road, Oxford, and Arger Poleshi, 20, of HMP Bullingdon, who are charged with the same offence.
The co-defendants are in custody.
Shahini was released on conditional bail to not contact the alleged victim and he must not go to Cowley Road.
He was also ordered to report to St Aldate’s Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire: Greene King pub set to close this weekend
The Bystander pub in Wootton, which is Greene King run, is inviting guests for a farewell party on their last day of trade this Saturday.
The event promises live music from six-piece contemporary folk band The Publicans from 9pm.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire cake supplier named best in the UK
Hickory’s Smokehouse (Image: Hickory’s Smokehouse)
A Greene King spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Bystander in Wootton, near Abingdon, is due to close its doors on April 26 before reopening as a Hickory’s Smokehouse later this year.
“We have notified the team of this exciting new chapter for the venue, which is set to create a significant number of job opportunities in the local area.
“We are grateful to the local community for their support over the years and look forward to welcoming them to experience all Hickory’s has to offer soon.”
The pub will become Oxfordshire’s first branch of Hickory’s Smokehouse, a Southern-style BBQ restaurant.
Food at Hickory’s Smokehouse (Image: Hickory’s Smokehouse)
The new business is expected to create 100 new jobs.
READ MORE: 25 years of new generation Mini to be celebrated in Oxford
Hickory’s managing director John Welsh said: “We are so excited to be heading to Abingdon, it’s an area that’s been on our Wishlist for a while now, and we’re over the moon to finally be planning our first smokehouse in the town.”
Greene King recently announced that 300 of the companies’ pubs are ‘under review’, with 150 across the country at risk of immediate closure or potentially being sold.
The Telegraph estimated that 1,103 pubs closed, with new research estimating that 429 pubs have closed so far in 426.
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