Farncombe Estate wins Cotswold Leisure Break of the Year

Farncombe Estate, the Broadway venue which runs a wide variety of weekend leisure and study courses, has been named Cotswold Leisure Break of the Year 2011. The Business Achievement award is judged by an independent panel of judges from the newspaper London & Home Counties Today,


“Throughout the year, the Directors at London & Home Counties Today select organisations that have best demonstrated a proven ability to go that extra mile in not only meeting but exceeding the needs of their clients,” said Senior Editor

Joshua Holtom. “In line with this philosophy, it gives us pleasure to announce that Farncombe Estate has been selected to receive this year’s award.

“Our completely independent Award Programme recognises business excellence across a wide range of disciplines and the Business Achievement Award is recognised both locally and nationally.”

Farncombe Estate is set in 370 acres of private parkland, with stunning panoramic views over the Vale of Evesham towards the Malverns. Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter said on a recent visit: “This is one of the most beautiful views in the whole country.”

But not everyone is aware of that inside Farncombe’s eight dedicated training rooms, hundreds of weekend leisure courses are taking place every year.

The range of subjects on offer is exceptional. You can learn about astronomy, Tchaikovsky or the history of the Olympic Games. Feeling brainy? This is your chance to dabble in philosophy, consider the Golden Age of Dutch Painting or write travel stories.

For the practically-inclined there is a wealth of craft courses, including painting Atmospheric Snow Scenes and Chinese Brush Painting. You can learn how to Get the Best from Your Digital Camera, decorate Cupcakes or dance the tango.

“We are delighted to win this award, which reflects our commitment to customer care and the many hours of work that go on behind the scenes,” says Farncombe programme manager Mandy Morrison.

Since the Centre opened its doors in 2003, it has attracted thousands of visitors from around the world.

Popular programmes include Everyone Can Sing and Go Gospel. Students can learn to be a Guitar Hero or play Bodhrán, an Irish drum.

2011 has been an exciting year for Farncombe. A new £3.5 million bedroom courtyard has been built in line with the company’s green policy. Now it has 89 en-suite bedrooms which attract B&B guests and special interest groups, from walkers to musicians.

“This award ranks Farncombe Estate amongst the best in its field,” says Joshua Holtom, “as well as acting as a seal of approval to prospective clients.”

Our Creative Cupcakes for Christmas Course has arrived!

So what would you like to be tucking into this Christmas -the same old traditional Christmas cake with an iced top and a little Santa, or a box of 12 handmade cupcakes, with a wonderful Christmas theme,and a really modern approach to design?  If the answer is cupcakes, then we have the perfect workshop for you.  You will be presented with a tray of 12 freshly baked cupcakes for you to decorate during the course of the day with step by step instructions all the way.  There will be cupcakes shaped like Christmas baubles, Christmas Puddings, Christmas trees, and much more.  You will learn many skills during the course of the day, all materials are provided in with the course fee - you just need to bring an apron and have fun!

Farncombe Freshens Up...

We are busy preparing our programme for 2012 at Farncombe and are delighted to offer a wide range of new course subjects and tutors. The 2012 programme brings together a range of topics that covers a wide specturm of interests, giving farncombe a fresh feel for next year.
Our new topics include; Bollywood Fitness, Cupcake Decorating and Walking breaks.

The Farncombe Brochure will be available from the 4th of September and everyone on our mailing list will receive a copy in the post. If you would like to request yours then please e-mail us at enquiries@farncombeestate.co.uk

Polymer Pamper Play at Farncombe

POLYMER PAMPER PLAY - 2012 - 16th March


After the successful 2011 Polymer Pamper Play event, we are excited to launch Polymer Pamper Play II at the Cotswolds Conference Centre an award-winning venue in a picturesque location.

This year's programme has been extended and we have an eclectic mix of workshops and activities suitable for all. Heading the programme are three internationally recognised artists teaching for the first time in the UK, Spain’s Ana Belchi, Austria’s Eva Ehmeier and Scotland’s Melanie Muir.

What is included in the delegate package?

Polymer Programme Three workshops 24hour polymer play room access Polymer Trouble Shooting Surgery Artists Quiz Delegate bag and prizes

Special Features Guided nature walk Well-being for artists session Lotions and potions session Preferential non-delegate package

Venue Two nights own room en-suite accommodation (Friday and Saturday) Traditional Cotswold breakfast (Saturday and Sunday) Morning and afternoon tea (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Two course lunch (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Three course dinner (Friday and Saturday) Use of on-site leisure facilities Free transport to and from local rail station Free on-site parking

*PROGRAMME

Friday 16th March 2012

– 10:00am: Delegate registration and setup

– 10:30am: Morning tea

– 11:00am: Guided nature walk

– Polymer Play

– 1:00pm: Lunch

– 1:30pm: Workshop One

– 3:45pm: Afternoon tea

– 7:00pm: Dinner & Activity

– Polymer Play Twilight zone

Saturday 17th March 2012

– 7:30am: Breakfast

– 8:45am: Workshop Two

– 1:00pm: Lunch

– Workshop Two continues

– Artist Well-Being Session

– 3:45pm: Afternoon tea

– Polymer Play

– Ongoing pamper appointments

– 7:00pm: Dinner & Activity

– Polymer Play Twilight zone

Sunday 18th March 2012

– 7:30am: Breakfast

– 8:45am: Workshop Three

– 1:00pm: Lunch

– Workshop Three continues

– 3:45pm: Afternoon tea

– Polymer Play

– Polymer Show and Tell

– 5:00pm: Farewell

*All times are approximate

PAMPER

Julia Baker a qualified aromatherapist will be offering a selection of pampering treatments, from an Indian head massage to hand, back and shoulder massages using an individual blend of essential oils. www.juliabakeraromatherapy.com

Go Gospel

Why not treat yourself to a weekend away in the Cotswolds and Go Gospel, with Jo Sercombe?

What better way to remember the heat of summer than by singing some red-hot gospel! Experienced vocal tutor, Jo will help you improve your vocal skills while creating that special gospel group sound as we explore a variety of gospel styles from early spirituals to RnB gospel of the present day. At the same time you can learn about vocal technique, harmony singing and the gospel performance style as well as having a go at the swaying and clapping. No music-reading ability required.

To book your place call Mandy on 0333 456 8580 or visit us at http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/

25% Off August

25% off the following courses:


All our bedrooms for the weekend of 19th August are fully booked. We have an exclusive offer for our online subscribers. If you book a non-residential place on one of the following courses, you will receive 25% off the brochure price.

Painting Studio Weekend - 1 place left

Actually it's Acrylics: Beginners to Intermediates - 4 places left

Play Jazz - Small Group Workshop (All Instruments) - 1 place left

West End Musical Weekend - 5 places left

Book now to avoid dissapointment, please call 0333 456 8580 & quote 'Aug19'. Terms & Condtitions apply.

Celebrate our 2012 Brochure Launch

Come and celebrate with us!


To launch our 2012 programme, Farncombe Estate is staging a special one-off event: An Afternoon with Morse and Mephisto.

Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter OBE and Sunday Times crossword compiler Tim Moorey will be entertaining us with the joy of words and crosswords – and there’ll be tea with scones.

You can even book Sunday lunch to complete your trip.

Sunday 4th September is the date for your diaries. The event begins at 2.30pm and goes on until 5pm. Afternoon tea will be served at 3.30pm.

Tickets are £20. Please call us on 0333 456 8580 to book your place, or email enquiries@farncombeestate.co.uk

A delicious three-course Sunday lunch will be served at 1.15pm and can be added to your booking for only £10. (Lunches cannot be booked on their own and are subject to availability.) We hope you’ll be able to join us – and pick up your 2012 Farncombe programme hot off the press.