Norton Park Hotel Review: A blend of old and new at this Hampshire countryside hotel
The countryside setting makes for a peaceful and relaxing getaway from the city
Highlights
- Spa facilities
- Indoor pool
- Modern bar and restaurant on-site
- Dog-friendly
- Close to Winchester city centre & the New Forest
- Complimentary access to health club facilities
Norton Park Hotel & Spa Review
Norton Park Hotel and Spa is the perfect blend of old and new with its historical manor house and modern hotel building. Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside, the dwelling is surrounded by rolling hills which make for a private and peaceful escape from busy Winchester nearby.
Set across 54 acres of parkland, the romantic destination is home to the refurbished 16th-century manor property which sits a stone's throw away from the contemporary health club, spa, and restaurant found in the 175-bedroom hotel.
The desirable location of Norton Park makes it perfect for a weekend getaway with loved ones, such as partners, and friends, or a family escape. Its corporate offerings make it ideal for business events too, with the addition of the health club offering some much-needed relaxation.
Despite being surrounded by attractions such as scenic walks in the New Forest, Stonehenge, and Winchester Cathedral, the hotel itself offers plenty for visitors to do. From exploring the carefully curated grounds, enjoying an afternoon tipple on the terrace or kicking back in the health club, there’s so much under one roof - and included in the cost of a stay.
Norton Park is part of the QHotels Collection with a reputation as one of its 19 four-star hotels and resorts across the UK. The company prides itself on having a diverse portfolio of carefully curated venues all of which have their charm.
Friendly staff are on hand at reception to welcome guests though the expansive lobby area doesn’t give too much away about the hotel itself. Many of the main facilities are hidden away elsewhere in the building, so it’s worth taking a wander of the grounds to explore on arrival.
The Rooms
Rating 3/5
Norton Park Hotel offers 152 bedrooms in the main building and a further 13 in the manor house which is available for exclusive use. Each contemporary room and suite has been visibly refurbished with spotless white bed linens and rich mahogany furniture.
Room categories at Norton Park include classic rooms, which are designed for complete comfort, and superior rooms which can be found in the modern wing and are suitable for longer stays. In the manor house, standard and feature rooms are on offer at a premium compared to the main hotel.
Superior hotel rooms are larger to make space for a desk, seating area and extra space for longer stays, some of which are complete with twin beds for family bookings. The hotel claims that such rooms have “beautiful views” of the countryside, though there are some that simply face onto other wings of the expansive hotel, which isn’t the most inspiring sight.
The beds were sizeable and extremely comfortable which made for an excellent night’s sleep
Complimentary toiletries, beverages and tea/coffee-making facilities are available in all rooms along with an en-suite bathroom complete with both a shower and bath. A hairdryer and bath robes also come as standard, the latter of which are great for use in the complimentary spa.
The rooms are spotless, warm and comfortable though lack in character for that memorable charm. That said, the beds were sizeable and extremely comfortable which made for an excellent night’s sleep.
Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the spacious bedrooms and the fridge is lightly stocked with snacks and cold drinks.
The Spa
How does Norton Park Hotel compare to other UK spa breaks?
Rating 4/5
The health club at Norton Park has been fully refurbished with brand-new, interactive gym equipment which can be found in a space above the spa. Of course, the main event is on the ground floor where guests will find a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, relaxation room and curved heated loungers.
Guests are welcomed to the spa throughout the entirety of their stay - from check-in at 3pm, to check-out at 11am on their day of departure. Fresh towels are available to collect on entry and people can stay as long as they’d like to relax during the opening hours, which range from 6.30am to 8.30pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am to 7.30pm Saturday and Sunday.
While the facilities are very relaxing, the hotel is family-friendly, so the pool does have allocated children’s swim times throughout the week which can be noisy. That said, the relaxation room is cool, dark and atmospheric, with complimentary herbal teas and cold water available inside to fully unwind in peace.
Spa treatments can be booked in advance with the Norton Park staff who are kind, accommodating and on hand to explain exactly what they have to offer.
Dining and Drinking
Rating 4/5
Guests can enjoy drinks outside on the patio or inside the cosy lounge area when using the small bar downstairs, but the main dining experience takes place in the restaurant one floor up.
Offering a classic British menu, The Scene Restaurant has an expansive selection of dishes on its contemporary menu which prides itself on featuring locally sourced produce wherever possible.
The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere but it feels somewhat dated with its floral decor and deep wooden hues. The menu, however, was hard to fault with so much to choose from, ranging from fresh fish to steaks and a good selection of vegetarian dishes
For breakfast, the hotel offers a buffet-style cooked breakfast which is self-service, along with a range of cereals, fresh fruit, pastries, bread, juices and smoothies to choose from. Of course, tea, coffee and various juices are also available for guests to pour themselves.
There’s no need to book a slot for breakfast, but guests will need to reserve a time to enjoy their dinner in The Scene Restaurant. Breakfast is served Monday to Friday, 7am until 9.30am and from 8am to 10.30 am on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
Dinner is a more formal affair with friendly waiting staff on hand to bring everything to the table - whether it be from the expansive menu or varied wine list.
Guests who have booked on a dinner-inclusive package are entitled to a food spend of up to £32 per adult from the main menu, but otherwise, prices range from around £15 to £36 for a main meal. Service continues until 9.30pm, after which the lounge bar downstairs is best for late-night snacks. It is here where Norton Park visitors can enjoy an afternoon tipple or lunch during the day, rather than the main restaurant.
Amenities
- Tea and coffee-making facilities
- Complimentary drinks and snacks
- Robes and towels
- Bottled water
- An ironing board and iron
- Trouser press
- Freeview TV, telephone and free Wifi
- Hairdryer
- Indoor pool, sauna, steam room
- Outdoor dining area
Location
Rating 5/5
The location is arguably the standout feature of Norton Park, which is in the heart of Hampshire. It is reachable in 45 minutes via car from West London and just 30 minutes away is the sprawling National Park known as the New Forest
Winchester is nearby for those seeking their fix of history, culture or nature, and there’s plenty of greenery - including bike trails - to explore around the immediate grounds of the hotel, manor house and spa.
The nearby city centre has lots of shops too, but the main attractions nearby are Winchester Cathedral, Stonehenge, and Jane Austen's House. Of course, gin lovers shouldn’t skip out on a trip to the Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire.
While visiting the hotel itself, the long, winding driveway up to it makes it feel secluded from the main road and surrounding area.
Value for Money
Rating 3/5
Prices vary based on the season, day of the week and room type. Not all are inclusive of breakfast but all stays cover complimentary spa access from check-in to check-out. The room price in low season is from £99 with the average bed and breakfast price being £139.00.
A stay at Norton Park is guaranteed to be clean and comfortable, though it can feel dated in parts due to the decor. That said, the uncapped spa access during the stay makes it easy to relax, unwind and soak up everything the destination has to offer.
Find rooms and plan your stay on the Norton Park Hotel website. Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Norton Park Hotel Hotels.com, Booking.com or plan a spa day with SpaBreaks.com.
Final Verdict
Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House
Winchester, SO21 3NB
Telephone: 0330 107 1599
Website: Nortonparkhotel.com
The tranquillity of this spa hotel is not to be missed by Londoners hoping to escape the city without travelling too far afield. The dwelling caters to all seasons with cosy rooms and places to walk during autumn and winter, plus plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine in the warmer months.
It’s also perfect for couples seeking a bit of romance with everything they could need right near them.
While the modern style of the main hotel building is unlike the historic manor house, it is charming nonetheless and a good price point for bed and breakfast.
Norton Park’s location couldn’t be more well-suited for those hoping to explore Hampshire and the surrounding area either, particularly for lovers of all things British culture, history and nature.
