A taste of luxury at football HQ
Don’t be surprised if you see an England footballer stroll across the hotel lobby – this is St George’s Park, the home of the nation’s football.
We’re staying at Hilton’s four-star flagship hotel set in the immaculate grounds of England’s £105 million training centre in the Staffordshire Peak District.
As well as being a home-from-home for each of the 24 England teams, the hotel is fully open to the public and, set in the heart of the National Forest, is the perfect destination for a short break. And no, you certainly don’t need footballer’s wages to check in.
If you don’t manage to catch a glimpse of a member of the sporting elite, there is plenty around the hotel to remind you of where you are – cabinets of soccer memorabilia, giant action photos and vast screens of rolling match footage.
Guests can book a guided tour of the world class training facility, taking in the elite outdoor pitches including England’s Wembley replica pitch, the impressive Alf Ramsay indoor 3G pitch as well as the sports science and performance state-of-the-art centres. Amateur teams can even experience a day in the life of an international footballer with an FA-licensed coach putting them through their paces.
My friend and I were planning something a little less energetic when we arrived on a Saturday morning – a weekend leisurely exploring the wild beauty of the area and enjoying some self-indulgence in the comforts of a top class hotel.
Our room was immaculate, with high ceilings and a large window that had superb views of the grounds and hills beyond. The king size bed, hi-spec bathroom and free Wi-Fi were exactly what you’d expect of a world famous chain; the neatly arranged plate of chocolate cakes from chef – a welcome surprise.
As it was early October, we decided to head to Ilam Park, a National Trust maintained country park about a 40-minute drive away, to enjoy the late autumn colourscape. The park is the starting point for a number of walking routes taking in points of interest such as the Dovedale Stepping Stones and Thor’s Cave.
We took a 10-mile circular route along the Manifold Way, formerly the Leek and Manifold Light Railway. By its nature, this is flat, easy walking and is also popular with cyclists – there are bike hire centres along the way. There’s plenty to see, including the magnificent Thor’s Cave located in a steep limestone crag. Some 30ft high at its entrance, it makes for exciting exploration for adults and children, its mineral rich walls glistening with an array of colours. It’s also a great spot to enjoy stunning views of the Manifold Valley.
After a refreshing pint of local ale at the Ye Olde Royal Oak pub in the village of Wetton (home of the world toe-wrestling championships) we took a steady wander back through rolling countryside to Ilam Park, the russets and reds of autumn bringing a warm hue to a chilly autumn day. There are shorter walks, such as a picturesque three-mile stroll to Dovedale Stepping Stones in the shadow of the White Peak.
Back at the hotel, we had a couple of hours to spare so checked out the spa – with its 17m pool, jacuzzi, thermal foot spas, ice fountain, sauna, steam room and four treatment rooms; Colleen Rooney could not fail to be impressed.
Alternate bouts of steam and ice worked wonders for my aching muscles and we emerged relaxed, refreshed and ready for a hearty dinner.
The vast windows of the dining room stretched from floor to ceiling, flooding the room with light and bringing a sense of the glorious outdoors inside. Food was of an equally high standard, with a good choice and beautifully presented. Courteous staff were more than happy to accommodate my off-menu requests, clearly well-accustomed to demanding diners!
On Sunday morning we headed to the Churnet Valley Railway where we travelled by steam train along an 11-mile route through ‘Staffordshire’s Little Switzerland’. Our visit coincided with the annual War in the Valley event, featuring live entertainment from themed dance troupes and singers, air raid siren re-enactment and a display of classic cars.
We would have stopped for longer – Vera Lynn and Winston Churchill were due to make an appearance – but we wanted to visit to Leek and its monthly Sunday Supplement market. On the first Sunday of each month, the market takes over the town between 10.30am and 3pm and features more than 60 stalls showcasing artisan products and local food. Many of the town’s independent shops, cafes and pubs open to add to the vibrant atmosphere. We rounded the day off with a visit to Biddulph Grange Garden, home to an eccentric collection of plants from around the world. Our tour of the garden took us from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Himalayan Glen and the Great Wall of China.
There is also a unique geological gallery, which dates back to 1862, featuring fossils displayed in numbered bays representing the days of creation.
Hilton St George’s Park is also well placed for Alton Towers and Drayton Manor theme parks, the National Brewery Centre and the National Memorial Arboretum.
As we left the hotel to head home, there were security officials on the entrance gates – clearly expecting some VIP guests. As it turned out, it was the weekend close to the World Cup qualifiers, so it seems the home team was heading there for some pre-match prep.
I’d imagine their experience of Hilton hospitality would be no better than ours. We were treated like true VIPs and, for a brief time, got a taste of life in the Premier League.
