IN THE NEWS
It’s been a fittingly exciting English Tourism Week at Alscot.
On Tuesday 18th March, we had the privilege of attending the West Midlands Tourism Awards at Edgbaston Stadium, proudly representing Stay at Alscot in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category. These prestigious awards, run in association with Visit England and the Awards for Excellence, recognise businesses that meet high industry standards across all areas, including, product development, marketing, sustainability, systems, and more—culminating in an in-person assessment by an expert panel.
Airbnb Luxe is the luxury tier of Airbnb and is a curated selection of the world's most extraordinary properties that go beyond standard holiday rentals. They are thoroughly vetted luxury rentals with 5-star-everything. To achieve Airbnb Luxe status, the property must go through a detailed inspection process by a 3rd party evaluator who are looking for a cohesive, elevated design throughout the entire home, comfortable, inviting interior and exterior spaces and luxury amenities and an overall environment that are in pristine condition.
We are delighted with this accolade, which comes just over a year after we launched Stay at Alscot as a brand new business. There are two extraordinary properties within the Stay ay Alscot portfolio, Beecham Farmhouse and Locke’s Cottage.
For further details visit https://www.alscot.co.uk/stay
The Alscot team would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and are happy to share the seasonal cheer!
It’s been another busy and productive year on the Estate, and to help us embrace 2025 in a similar manner, we are very much looking forward to the festive break and recharging those enthusiastic smiles.
The office re-opens on Thursday 2nd January!
May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!
Earlier this year we were asked to contribute to The September edition of environmental SCIENTIST – the journal of the #InstitutionofEnvironmentalSciences(IES) – examines the evolving concept of ‘net gain’ in environmental policy frameworks, from both a UK and global perspective.
Coming just a little after our first anniversary — what a gift!
We are thrilled to be named as a finalist for the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category in the 2025 West Midlands Tourism Awards
Stay at Alscot offers two excellent holiday homes exquisitely designed and maintained to the highest standard, offering the perfect combination of historic charm and modern elegance. Surrounded by picturesque countryside, you will enjoy stunning views and a sense of peace and tranquillity. Whether you are looking for a romantic break, a family holiday or a solo retreat or with friends, Alscot's holiday homes provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The awards celebrate the success and accomplishments of tourism business across the West Midlands region. It’s so exciting to have our properties recognised by professionals in an industry award that is held in partnership with VisitEngland
Wow what a fabulous few days we had between 27th-30th June, with the garden brimming with pieces of beauty and an abundance of visitors! The weather, support and exhibitors couldn’t have been better for the second Art at Alscot.
With huge thanks to Sarah Methuen Art who wonderfully organised the four day event for Warwickshire Open Studios, and we would like to thank all exhibitors and everyone that attended Alscot Park (venue 68), who made the event a great success..
On Thursday 27th June we set out to deliver a successful business networking event to achieve the primary goal of fostering connections among local people in business.
Hosted by Alscot and carefully arranged together with Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Huband Warwickshire Growth Hub, the event offered a platform for those attending to seek advice, network and make connections in the beautiful surroundings of Alscot Park.
On Thursday 6th June Alscot Estate invited guests to a private screening of the documentary film, Six Inches of Soil. The film tells the inspiring story of three young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities. The screening took place at Everyman, Stratford upon Avon and included a drinks reception, introduction to the film by Colin Ramsay, Film Director, and a Q&A session. The panel included, Colin Ramsay, Emma Holman-West, Estate Owner, Paddy Hoare and Tom Gurney, Perdix Partnership and Simon Cutter, Farmer and Founder of Model Farm Society. Simon began rearing organic livestock and organic produce long before the ‘Organic bandwagon’ started to roll in the wake of the BSE crisis in the early 1990’s. Featuring on BBC Country file, Simon has been a pioneer in pasture fed, organic and free-range livestock with a passion for nature and natural food produce.
Cricket was the winner when an Alscot team, captained by Andrew Holman-West, and made up of Alscot associates, played a friendly match against Warwick Cricket Club, the new and very welcome guests at Alscot Park cricket pavilion.
The Warwick team, captained by Mike Hope, batted first & scored 168 in their overs. Batsman were encouraged to "retire" after scoring some 25-30 runs.
Recently, on a beautiful warmer than average September day (poignant given the nature of the event), we had the pleasure of hosting leaders and members of our local authority - Stratford upon Avon District Council. Following the change in local government earlier this year, members of the Alscot Estate team, including Emma Holman-West and Jack Kennedy, introduced the Alscot Biodiversity Net Gain Project and how Alscot is contributing to deliver the UK’s climate change ambitions.
Watch on You Tube
The 1st Tiddington Scouts joined us in June this year on their volunteering week. The group of 10-14 year olds joined forester, Dave, and learnt various aspects of forestry and woodland management, including the importance of providing habitats for wildlife species, and why we need to protect young trees in the wild. The group helped in various roles by collecting used tree guards, placing sheeps wool into tree guards to discourage deer, and they dug trenches on the edge of the woodlands to help create habitats for invertebrates. The Scouts were really engaged and have asked to come back another time!
The first Art at Alscot event, part of Warwickshire Open Gardens, took place at Alscot Prak 22-25 June 2023.
A collaboration of 12 artists exhibited at Alscot Park and the event was free to attend.
The year 6 students from The Croft Preparatory School ventured to the Estate again this week to take part in nature studies on the biodiversity land at Alscot. The children took part in orienteering, identifying native tree species, an invertebrates study and a wildlife and plant ID walk. We hope the activity day inspired the children to become a positive voice for nature in future, and based on their enthusiasm, even on a damp day, we have no doubt that they will.
Click HERE for the video
What a jolly time we all had at Alscot Jolly Jumpers Christmas Coffee Morning! Great to share time out with so many of the Alscot based businesses and individuals, including our very own The Musical Box who performed for us live!
See the video here
On Thursday 15th December, in excess of 150 guests braved the freezing temperatures and snow and came out in force to support Carols, Candles & Canapés at Alscot Park to raise vital funds for The Children’s Society. The event organised by The Shipston Deanery Committee, with support from Emma and Andrew Holman-West was attended by Chief Executive, Mark Russell, who gave a humbling and inspiring speech, and by the Bishop of Coventry. The total sum raised was £5,765.00
Alscot Park was the venue on Friday 9th Dec for the C&W Chamber of Commerce South Warwickshire Branch Meeting. The topic of conversation was green skills and how businesses are focusing on becoming more sustainable. It was a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and businesses and share thoughts, ideas and connections.
We recently welcomed our business banking Relationship Managers to the Estate where they gleaned just a small insight into the extensive range of diverse, unique, and successful businesses that operate from Alscot.
We try hard to get to know the businesses located here at Alscot and on this occasion we took our visitors to meet Shakespeare Media; media specialists, planners and buyers. Business Owner, Vicki Bravington was good enough to spare a few moments to tell us about Shakespeare Media and who they are currently working with, including the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company and the Jockey Club. The following busineses were also very kind to take time out of their busy schedules;
On an exceptionally cold and wet February Sunday, students from four local primary schools braved the biting weather to plant young fruit trees to create a new orchard at Alscot.
Fast forward 8 months to autumn, with plenty of sunshine and TLC over the spring and summer months and the trees are all flourishing.
In January 2021 we started the Estate’s Ditch Maintenance Program. Covering circa 4,000 acres of land it’s a huge and on-going undertaking, concentrating on Clifford Chambers and Atherstone on Stour in the first year, extending to land in Preston on Stour and Alderminster, and the rotation system allows wildlife to recolonize.
We have been shortlisted as a finalist in the Coventry/Warwickshire Live Business Awards 2022 in the Green Business of the Year category for the Alscot Biodiversity Project.
The Awards celebrate the city's finest businesses, entrepreneurs, and organisations across 12 different categories
Party in the Park held at Alscot Park on Sunday 17th July raised a whopping £6,500 for Shipston Home Nursing.
The event was a milestone celebration to mark the 25th year of SHN and the remarkable work they do providing support and care to families who are facing difficult times in their lives.
This years theme 'Party in the Park' included a car boot sale, classic car display, live music, cocktail bar, teas, children's entertainer and camels. Those attending had the opportunity to browse the family gardens and historic parkland, and see some of the magnificent architecture, structures, ponds, vistas, and of course the abundant, fragrant and spectacular trees and flowers.
The event raised £6,500 for the charity.