'AUTUMN DRESSES UP IN GOLD; THE RICHEST SEASON OF THE SOUL.' 

Angie Weiland Crosby - American writer

This autumn Elite Hotels will host a number of exciting events – opportunities to absorb the season's splendour, not only through nature but also with extraordinary entertainment and extremely fine dining, and Halloween-themed amusement for families. Plus, there are some seriously persuasive seasonal offers.

HAMPSHIRE: Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

Set in 66 acres of glorious countryside, Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens is a magnificent Grade II Listed property in the small north Hampshire town of Hook - a short drive from Basingstoke, and well connected in all directions by the M3 & M4 motorways. As the leaves change their hues and a crisp breeze sweeps through the countryside, Tylney Hall transforms into an idyllic autumn haven.

On Friday 11 October, the hotel will host an evening of Showtime Cabaret & Dancing to the Jukebox Musicals. Whilst you savour a superb three-course dinner, enjoy showstopping songs from your favourite musicals, including Les Misérables, Chicago, Guys & Dolls, and Wicked. And then the party really starts as you dance the night away to the soundtracks from Mamma Mia, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing, Sister Act, and many more. Tickets cost £150 pp, including a glass of Champagne and canapés in the Library bar on arrival, a three-course dinner, half a bottle of wine each, coffee, and an evening of entertainment.

From 26 October – 3 November, children can join a Halloween Pumpkin Trail at The Vine, the National Trust's former Tudor powerhouse turned 17th century family home, set in gardens, woodlands and wetlands, near Basingstoke. Little ones can explore the ground-floor of the house and locate ten vibrant suncatchers, featuring all kinds of mysterious and magical pumpkins. In the gardens, activities include pumpkin patch bean bag and ring toss. Costs £2 per trail sheet and chocolate/sweet prize. Afterwards, why not treat them to a spook-tacular Halloween Themed Afternoon Tea (28 October – 1 November) at Tylney Hall Hotel, less than ten miles from The Vine. Enjoy sweet treats, savoury snacks, and bewitching beverages that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Costs: £39 per adult from Monday to Thursday (excluding Bank Holidays); £42 per adult from Friday to Sunday and on Bank Holidays; half price for children up to the age of 12.

On Tuesday 12 November, put your detective skills to the test on a Murder Mystery Night. A three-course dinner is served – an exquisite, autumnal main course of Venison loin, potato and marinated butter pressing, bacon and savoy purée, black cabbage, Chantenay, pancetta bonbon – as guests immerse themselves in a world of intrigue and suspense, each playing their part in unravelling a thrilling whodunit. Tickets cost £85.50 pp, including a three-course dinner and an evening of enigmatic fun.

Make the most of Tylney Hall Hotel's Autumn Retreat: 25% off Dinner, Bed & Breakfast offer. The cost is from £137 pp (two sharing), including accommodation, £50 per adult to spend on dinner, the Full Works Breakfast, and full use of the hotel's Health Club facilities, including the indoor swimming pool. Offer valid now until 30 November.

Children stay free at Tylney Hall Hotel this October half term. An overnight stay costs from £187.50 per adult (based on two adults and two children, aged 16 and under, sharing a Junior Suite), including breakfast for all the family; use of the Children's Activity Room with games, crafts and Halloween-themed activities; and full use of the leisure facilities, including the outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, mountain bikes, walking trails and woodlands. Offer available for stays from 19 October – 2 November.

EAST SUSSEX: Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

Set in 186 acres of lakes, secret gardens and woodland trails - within the magical Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for A. A. Milne's delightful Winnie-The-Pooh stories - Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club promises an enchanting autumn escape. Country house hotels in Sussex don't come more luxurious, or offer such a magnificent combination of elegance, style, and award-winning dining.

On Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 October, the National's Trust's Nymans – a medieval manor house with fascinating gardens, in West Sussex - will host an Autumn Dawn art workshop in its rustic and cosy potting shed. Join John Thompson, Artist in Residence, for this full day experience. John will provide everything you need to create a beautiful piece of artwork in acrylic paints, inspired by nature. Tickets cost £90 pp. Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits will be provided.

On Friday 8 November, indulge in a Murder Mystery Night. During a lavish three-course dinner, a chilling discovery disrupts the tranquillity, and a body is found floating in the hot tub! The 'hotel manager' attempts to solve the crime himself, his investigation leaving no stone unturned. With every twist and turn, uncover hidden truths and follow the clues to catch the killer before it's too late. Tickets cost £86 pp, including a three-course dinner and a soirée of inscrutable fun.

Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club has an Autumn Retreat: 25% off Dinner, Bed & Breakfast offer. The cost is from £155.50 pp (two sharing), including accommodation, £50 per adult to spend on dinner, the Full Works Breakfast, and full use of the hotel's Spa facilities, including the indoor swimming pool. Offer valid now until 30 November.

Children stay free at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club this October half term. An overnight stay costs from £177.50 per adult (based on two adults and two children, aged 16 and under, sharing an Executive Room), including breakfast for all the family; and full use of the leisure facilities, including the indoor swimming pool, tennis court, gymnasium, walking trails and woodlands. Offer available for stays from 19 October – 2 November.

SEASIDE SUSSEX: The Grand Hotel Eastbourne

Affectionately known as The White Palace, The Grand Hotel Eastbourne is not just the only five-star luxury resort to be found in an English seaside town, but also one of the friendliest. Commanding breathtaking views of the sea and the dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head, this is somewhere to really embrace the magic of autumn.

On Monday 30 September, The Grand Hotel Eastbourne is hosting a Grand Ladies' Lunch featuring Joel Griggs from Sussex's True Crime Museum. After a delightful three-course lunch, crime expert Joel Griggs, curator of the Hastings True Crime Museum, will unveil secrets from his exhibits, including acid vats used by killer John George Haigh, items from Jack the Ripper's top suspect, and lethal syringes from Eastbourne's murderous doctor. Tickets cost £45 pp, including an arrival glass of fizz, and a three-course lunch with a glass of house wine, and entertainment.

On Thursday 17 October, experience something really different - Dragon Fusion with Cyrus Todiwala OBE: An Indo-Chinese Culinary Celebration. Esteemed Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE takes over The Grand Hotel Eastbourne's kitchen for one exclusive night. Taking place in the hotel's prestigious Compton Ballroom, guests will be introduced to Chef Cyrus' culinary mastery, featuring an Indo-Chinese inspired menu, celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Drawing from the rich culinary traditions of Hakka, Hunan, Fujian, and Sichuan, this promises to be a culinary journey like no other. Tickets cost £90 pp.

From 26 October – 3 November, Drusillas Park - situated just ten miles from Eastbourne – is running a Halloween Shriek Week. Featuring spider experts, creepy cobwebbed corridors, Mummy Mayhem and freaky photo opportunities, this event will conjure oodles of eerie excitement and seasonal surprises to keep your little horrors half term happy. Tickets from £29.50 pp.

The Grand Hotel Eastbourne has an Autumn Retreat: 25% off Dinner, Bed & Breakfast offer. The cost is from £165 pp (two sharing), including accommodation, £45 per adult to spend on dinner, the Full Works Breakfast, and full use of the hotel's Health Club facilities, including the indoor swimming pool. Offer valid now until 30 November.

Children stay free at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne this October half term. An overnight stay costs from £195 per adult (based on two adults and two children, aged 16 and under, sharing a Junior Suite), including breakfast for all the family; and full use of the wellness facilities, including the swimming pool. Offer available for stays from 19 October – 2 November.

Notes to Editors
A small, independent UK-based hotel group, Elite Hotels has invested in some of the UK's most beautiful historic houses since 1986. The first of these was Tylney Hall Hotel, Hampshire, followed by Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, East Sussex and The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne. Each Elite Hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels, a prestigious consortium representing over 500 of the best independent hotels in 70 countries.

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