We spent a weekend dancing with the Strictly stars and so can you, or choose your own adventure

There is a small turn off the A30 in the heart of Somerset which sends you on a long drive bordered by fields of green sheep and as you descend into the valley you are suddenly struck by the sight of a Georgian house with links to all of Nelson to Noel Edmonds.

This is Cricket St Thomas, one of 16 Warner hotels across the country, each in unique historic settings, from castles to country piles, and each welcoming thousands of guests to holiday experiences as unique as the buildings.

For us, spending three nights in the building that was once frequented by the Fry chocolate family and became the setting for To The Manor Born, our experience was overwhelmed by a weekend of Strictly Come Dancing activities – meeting the stars, dancing with the stars, watching live performances with dancers and vocalist Lance Ellington and enjoying anecdote-filled question-and-answer sessions backstage.

Even if you’ve never been to the Warner Hotel in Cricket St Thomas, the setting might be familiar. He appeared on TV for years as Grantleigh Manor in To The Manor Born. It then became the home of Crinkley Bottom when Noel Edmonds set up his first Blobbyland theme park here. And then there was Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park housing 600 exotic animals and attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.

For the past 25 years, it has been a Warner Hotel – one of 16 locations in the country that host adults-only breaks based on entertainment and activities, and often hosting top celebrity entertainers.

Our weekend included dance lessons with Strictly pros including Katya and Amy Dowden, Q&A sessions with Nancy and Carlos and live performances with Neil and Karen. Over three days and nights, the itinerary was packed with Strictly events and opportunities to meet the stars.

I never thought I could learn the Paso Doble in 60 minutes. And I was right. But Katya made it quick and easy to teach another 350 people a Paso routine – in a session full of joy and humour.

There was also a costume chat where Katya revealed some VERY intimate secrets and Facetimed costume designer Vicky Gill. And there was a brilliant performance by Strictly vocalist Lance Ellington.

The list of activities and events goes on – but you get the idea! When the Strictly stars weren’t performing, the Warner entertainers put on hugely popular shows and quizzes or other activities. Every weekend is full of similar, and the hotels organize other events and activities that guests can enjoy – archery and rifle shooting, water sports, tours, etc. Each location and each weekend will be unique.

One of the highlights for us was a 90 minute tour of the grounds and gardens around Cricket with groundskeeper Dawn Ashman – very knowledgeable and happy to fill you in on all you need to know about the site’s history and fauna current and flora.

The mansion has links to the Bank of England, the Fry chocolate family, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton and their families and Admiral Hood. In the 1960s it passed into private hands, and the Taylor family still owns the surrounding 1,000-acre property, while the 160 acres surrounding the mansion itself are owned by Warner.

The hotel chain built accommodation and facilities around the main house, while other parts of the site still feature buildings from the Crinkley Bottom and Wildlife Park days, although most are now closed. The main building, Cricket House, has a number of opulent rooms you can book – think 10-foot-wide four-poster beds and Bridgerton-eque decor.

The grounds are being ‘repurposed’ from their tourist attraction days with the lakes, stream and gardens now open to visitors and well worth a long stroll. There are three set routes or you can just explore – and definitely join a tour with Dawn if you get the chance. The views are stunning, not to be missed and Dawn will highlight the massive Giant Redwoods, the tree where Nelson loved to sit with Lady Hamilton, the 500 year old oak and some very rare plants. All fascinating!

During our weekend we also enjoyed archery with Henry’s qualified instructor and used the pool which is next to a spa, sauna, steam room, gym and other facilities. We had a sumptuous afternoon tea in Hamiltons and enjoyed our meals in the Treetops – an incredible location to eat as the huge windows look out over those stunning grounds.

The meals themselves come quickly – with plenty of items available to ‘help’ you out. Breakfast was always hot and fresh, delicious, and the desserts at dinner are the highlight.

Our room was comfortable and well equipped – everything we needed as a base to enjoy the weekend, including a large shower, tea and coffee, a fridge, TV and a terrace to enjoy the walled garden.

Details of all the venues and events are on the Warner Hotels website and if you’ve never seen it, you’ll be amazed that venues like this are available to book a break – and you’ll be impressed by the range of entertainment options available.

As well as Stricty, there are also Gardeners World weekends with the show’s hosts sharing their knowledge. There are quiz weekends with Ken Bruce and The Vixen, comedy weekends with leading stand-ups such as Russell Kane and in terms of music everything from Ibiza to David Essex, Big Band to Burlesque, to stylistics to. .. well the list is endless.

There are also other themes like crime mystery and sometimes just a chance to enjoy the entertainers in the hotel.

It was my first time staying at a Warners hotel and it is a unique experience. The vast majority of those on hiatus have been there before – the chain clearly has a very loyal fan base – and for us that sometimes meant figuring out how things worked for ourselves. The hotel doesn’t always shout about its big attractions – such as country walks – and doesn’t explain the ‘rules’ around the pool, dining, gym, spa etc. Not that all of this is difficult to work out, just that the regulars know exactly how it all works and you might spend a little time “finding your feet” when you first arrive.

As mentioned, the Cricket St Thomas hotel site is now 25 years old and there are places it could do with a refresh, but it appears to be in line for investment. And there are places where it shines too – as I mentioned the comfortable rooms, the views from the restaurant, afternoon tea in the Hamiltons in the main Georgian house with its incredible rooms, grounds and gardens. Also, don’t miss the church at the heart of the grounds, which has a fascinating history of its own.

If you’re looking for an adults-only break somewhere unique and historic, with an itinerary full of entertainment and activities you won’t find anywhere else, a Warner Hotels vacation is definitely recommended. We left our weekend with great memories and a few new skills, and we could very well be among those regulars.

Cricket St Thomas breaks from one to seven nights start from under £100 per person and include Entertainment Breaks, Event Breaks, Festival Breaks, Star Breaks, Exclusive Events and Festive Breaks.

The million pound price drop offer offers 25% off selected UK breaks

Warner Hotels has announced its ‘Million Pound Price Drop’ offer offering 25% off selected UK holidays. The national hotel group is knocking £1m off its breaks, offering a limited discount on breaks of two or more nights.

The offer is valid for breaks booked before midnight on 24 June and taken between 3 June and 31 December 2024.

The offer offers 25% off 15 UK locations, including the idyllic Grade II listed Cotswolds retreat Heythrop Park and the reinvented castle in the heart of Shakespeare’s England, Studley Castle.

Each adults-only break includes accommodation, breakfast and three-course meals, with a range of daytime activities such as laser gun and evenings filled with live music and theatre. For more information or to make the most of the discount before 24 June 2024, visit warnerhotels.co.uk/drop