Business Forum
Red Lion Breathes new Life into Wendover after Major Refurbishment
The charismatic Red Lion Hotel in Wendover has been reopened, after owners Marston's Inns and Taverns invested more than £1.4m, in a six month programme, to completely refurbish the 16th century coaching inn.
The inn now offers a twenty-three bedroom hotel as well as a 96 cover restaurant - and the whole building has been given a fresh new look whilst still retaining the building's historic past.
The refurbishment has also helped to create 30 new jobs for the area.
Manager Daron Stoker said: "We are absolutely delighted with the refurbishment - including the restaurant which has been extended, enabling us to accommodate twice the number of diners than before.
"Because it's a listed building, we have been very careful with the design and highlighted the stunning original features, like the beautiful 17th century fireplace uncovered in one of the bedrooms during the development. We've created more space, exposed beams and revived the woodwork."
All the plans were approved by the local Conservation Officer, ensuring the building's heritage, dating from 1669, was preserved. It is in fact rumoured that Oliver Cromwell once stayed overnight at the inn and addressed his troops from one of the upstairs windows!
The Red Lion are proud of the quality of food they serve and take every care to ensure that only the freshest ingredients are sourced from the best suppliers. Diners and drinkers alike can also enjoy a range of real ales and wines, carefully selected from around the world.
A new meeting room for private functions and a redesigned outdoor patio area have been created, and free WiFi is available throughout the building, including the bedrooms.
Operations Manager Alastair Robinson said: "Marston's Inns and Taverns is proud to be able to provide the local community, and those visiting the area, with a relaxing meeting place for diners and drinkers, combined with the warm and homely hotel rooms that offer such a high standard of beautifully-designed accommodation. We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike."
Go Ape! Wendover Woods, now a swinging success
The NEW Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure course at Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire, is now officially open to the public. A launch event was held on Thursday 20 March with special guest Michael Perham cutting the ribbon and swinging through the trees at this exciting new Go Ape course. Michael is the youngest person ever to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 14. This inspiring young adventurer, who hits the high seas on a yacht called Cheeky Monkey, took the time to Go Ape whilst planning for his next epic adventure - to sail around the world non-stop!
Michael , now 16, comments: 'I had a fantastic time at Go Ape. I think it's a really great place to take friends and family. We had loads of laughs and really great fun! We all enjoyed a delicious fine forest BBQ and a wide selection of other food after out trek through the trees. I look forward to returning in the near future.'
Go Ape manager Rob Bell comments: "We had an extremely successful launch event here at Wendover Woods. This is an exciting course that offers idyllic views from the highest point of 10 metres above the forest floor. We received excellent feedback from our guests. You can always tell our visitors have had a great time when they walk away with the signature Go Ape mark, wood chips down their back!"
Guests were also joined by Go Ape founders Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew and their children Phoebe, Patrick and Jake, plus family dog Rum. Tristram and Rebecca launched Go Ape in 2002. Go Ape encourages people to live life more adventurously with an outdoor experience that comes complete with the WOW factor. The challenging new course at Wendover Woods is split into five separate sections linked together by natural footpaths. Each section begins with a rope ladder climb into the treetop canopy, where dramatic obstacles such as rope bridges and Tarzan swings lead to an exhilarating zip slide back to terra firma. The Go Ape course here follows the successful design of the company's award-winning courses established at 12 forest locations across the UK, where a tribe of over 850,000 adventure seekers regularly enjoy the thrills of trekking from tree-to-tree some 40 feet above the forest floor.
Great introductory offer!! From now until Friday the 2nd of May every booking will receive a half price entry.
2008 Opening Times
15th March - 31st October (additional evening slots May - August). Closed on Mondays during term time only. Open weekends only in November. Closed December and January
Restrictions
Minimum age 10 years, minimum height 1.4m (4ft 7in) and maximum weight of 20.5 stone. Under 18 year-olds must be accompanied by a participating adult. One adult can supervise either up to two children (where one or both is under 16) or up to five 16-17 year-olds.
Prices
Gorillas (18yrs+) £25.00, Baboons (10-17yrs) £20.00
Booking essential: www.goape.co.uk 0845 643 2034
