“WE WILL, we will, rock you!” – the famous lyrics to the Queen hit were still ringing in my ears days after I’d returned from the festival.
I’d been at Warner Leisure Hotels’ Heythrop Park in the charming town of Chipping Norton for a rock music weekend.
The getaway promised live music from tribute bands, non-stop dancing and rock ’n’ roll parties.
But unlike any ordinary festival with boozed-up youngsters, wobbly tents and mucky toilets, I was spoiled with complete luxury in a glam ensuite hotel room with an on-site spa, ideal for soothing my dancing limbs.
This is just one of many dedicated music holidays with Warner Leisure.
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There are ’60s, ’70s and ’80s breaks, Motown & Soul festivals and even an Ibiza In Symphony getaway, where a 16-piece orchestra reimagines Ibiza classics.
I’m glad I left my rock-themed leather trousers at home as I may have felt a little out of place pulling up to the country house hotel steeped in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside.
I immediately felt like a rock star from the moment I stepped out of the car.
The hotel has all the grandeur you would expect from an 18th-century building and more and the inside is just as impressive, home to a galleried reception with interesting artefacts from its rich history.
Our room, which was located in the original house, was huge with high ceilings and bursting with character.
What’s great about a stay here, though, is that breakfast, dinner and all entertainment is included in the price, so you can freely wander from restaurant to stage without having to shove your hand in your wallet.
Dinner on our first night was at the Market Kitchen, the resort’s only buffet restaurant (although you have the option to order from the menu), set beside a beautiful orangery with views over the grounds.
The restaurant was buzzing and after a few glasses of chilled rose, we were ready to embrace all the entertainment at our fingertips.
There are two venues, The Theatre and the Late Lounge, one of which always offers an alternative to the theme, so if you don’t fancy listening to a Queen tribute act you can opt for a silky-voiced soul singer.
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Lavish massage
You have to be early to get a seat at The Theatre, so plan your visits in advance and grab an early dinner.
After the show, staff dished out headphones for a silent disco, but we decided to move to the smaller bar area where a talented singer serenaded us with covers of hits from the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse until we were ready for bed.
If you’ve gone hard on the first night, then breakfast at the hotel’s pub, The Travelling Duke, will sort you out and compensate for any over-indulgence.
We then followed it up with a swim and lavish massage in the Spa & Wellness centre, which features a sauna, steam room, outside hot-tubs as well as a gym. What could be better?
For those who are feeling less fragile, there are plenty more activities to choose from which come included in your stay, such as archery, rifle-shooting and tea-tasting.
Or for a small supplement, you can book on to a cocktail-making course or an afternoon tea experience.
On our final evening, we dressed up for dinner at Brasserie 32 in the Manor House, the resort’s posh dining experience.
It felt like stepping back into a bygone era and the menu offers choices inspired by ingredients dating back to the early 1900s, including a creamy fish pie recipe from the 1950s and Fanny Cradock’s classic prawn cocktail from 1967.
Then, it was time to let our hair down one last time in the Late Lounge where the gin flowed along with the Fleetwood Mac and, of course, Queen classics.
The music may have been all rock ’n’ roll, but our sophisticated adults getaway was anything but.
Perhaps there’s time for one more massage.
