New five-star Midlands park takes privilege to new peaks

Boasting a rare five-star accommodation quality award, a new lodge complex bordering the Peak District claims to have seized the high-ground in terms of both luxury and price.

Guests at Ashby Woulds in the Derbyshire village of Oversealwill pay up to £2000 for a week's stay in pampered surroundings said to be the equal of London's most exclusive hotels.

Located in the heart of the National Forest with a handsome granite entrance, the boutique family-run park is a newly opened £4 million development with idyllic views across rolling countryside.

From the moment they step onto the Wilton carpeting of the timber-built lodges, says development owner and entrepreneur Tom Hartley, holidaymakers will be cocooned in five-star finesse.

Designer decor and top-end furnishings hallmark every room, whilst the large open-plan kitchen is kitted out with marble surfaces and top-end electrical appliances.

The cutlery in the drawers of the hand-built cupboards is, of course, EPNS hallmarked silver.

And when guests finally retire for the night after enjoying the complementary Champagne and chocolates, they will be bedding down in exquisite 600-thread Egyptian cotton sheets.

Tom Hartley, whose name is synonymous with the luxury and performance cars supplied by his worldwide motor business, says that Ashby Woulds is set to re-define park holidays: "Many parks can now offer an experience comparable with a good three-star hotel - but I wanted to give people a taste of what's on offer from the truly prestige end," said Tom.

"In fact, many of the suppliers to our lodges already furnish some of London's most illustrious hotel names, and the beds are made by the company favoured by the Queen and royal family.

"The only difference which guests might notice is that our lodges offer rather more living space than a hotel room, and that the view from the windows is green rather than gray," he added.

Neither will many hotel guests be able to step outside to soak in their own hot-tub, as they can at Ashby Woulds, while delighting in panoramic views across verdant unspoiled countryside.

And if guests feel the need to immerse even further in the good life, one phone call will bring them a qualified therapist from the park to provide a private in-lodge beauty or health treatment.

According to Tom Hartley, the park's 20 lodges will appeal both to "special occasion" guests, and to those always accustomed to receiving the best wherever they stay: "Arranging prestige accommodation in cities is never a problem, but people who find country house hotels rather stuffy have little alternative when they want to stay in rural surroundings," said Tom.

"Here they will have the space and freedom to relax in a superbly high quality environment, and in a part of the country which offers endless leisure opportunities for all interests," he said.

Among the scores of attractions just a short drive from the park are The Belfry golf club, Alton Towers, Twycross Zoo, Drayon Manor, and of course the splendour of Derbyshire's Peak District.

Although high-season rental prices reach £2000 for a week, short breaks off-season can be had for just £500. Holiday bookings are being handled by Hoseasons.

Guests who fall in love with Ashby Woulds, commented Tom, might even be persuaded to take a more permanent stake in the park which is open throughout the year.

A limited number of its timber lodges will shortly be available to buy, with prices ranging from just under £100,000 to a cool quarter of a million - all equipped to the same high standards.

Following a recent assessment by VisitEngland, the park and its accommodation was awarded a coveted five-star grade under the Quality in Tourism scheme.

More details about Ashby Woulds, and a downloadable brochure describing the holiday park and its facilities, can be found at AshbyWouldsLodges.co.uk.