Carden Park Hotel is located within 1000 acres of stunning Cheshire countryside, with a mile-long drive leading through the Nicklaus golf course, just one of the two championship golf courses onsite it truly is Cheshire’s Country Estate.
The history of Carden Park really starts when the land was acquired in the early 17th century by the Leche Family. An elegant Hall was built and the grounds of the park landscaped and stocked with deer. The Hall was ransacked by Cromwell’s troops but survived and continued to be inhabited. In 1912, the main Hall burnt down in a fire, allegedly after someone dropped a cigarette at a party. Photographs of the Hall show a highly decorated timber framed building, reprised in the rebuilt Resort which you see today.
Construction of golf courses and the purchase of Carden Park by private owner Steve Morgan, has led to a restoration of its fortunes. Carden Park first opened its doors as a hotel on 5th June 1997. Now rather than deer you are more likely to see pheasants, moorhens, foxes, badgers and swans which are all regular visitors to the estate.
The sun was definitely on our side this weekend. It was like a glorious summers day, a first in March. Welcomed with tea, coffee and warm pastries we were grouped and ready to start our first of two activity's, Archery and Air Rifling. Now I will be honest I was looking forward to our second activity of zip wires more. But this activity took me by surprise...okay so I am no closet sniper but the healthy competition encouraged by our team leader brought the competitiveness out of us all and we were soon hitting the targets faster than we ran for the warm white chocolate cookies during refreshments.
It was then time to get harnessed up and head into the trees for the first of three zip wires including the 250 metre Mega Zip. Now this isn't for the faint hearted as the leap of faith itself requires no fear!
The fun doesn't stop there, the list of activities Carden has to offer are endless from Segway’s, Quad bikes to their very own 'Wipeout' obstacle. The days of fear and fun could go on and on....
So, with the sun shining it was time for a drink and something to eat. We have to give our choice a special mention. The 'Three Cheese' toasties. Now for all the cheese lovers out there you can’t get much better, especially sat on the ever so comfy beds in your fluffy robe with a beautiful view of the gardens...pure bliss!
After a couple of hours’ rest and the option of using the spa facilities, which had both sauna, steam and a newly refurbished whirlpool it was time to head for dinner in the Carden Suite Section.
The Carden Suite Section is one of the 18 event and meeting space Carden has to offer. Holding up to 100 guests banqueting style, the room was the perfect setting for our four-course dinner. To enter the suite, we made our way through the shooting lodge where we were welcomed with a cocktail reception which hosted the most refreshing Peach Bellini.
The hats came off to the chef when the dessert was served, created with everything Rhubarb, not usually a fruit of choice the dessert presented was that of a masterpiece and a first for the ever so naughty deep fried custard. After the final course of cheese and biscuits the winners of the Shooting & Archery competition announced and nicely finished off with some karaoke competition, the perfect ending to a fun packed day.
After a leisurely breakfast, it was time for us to leave Carden Park, an amazing group and a friendly and very helpful team makes the country estate the perfect destination for a short incentive. Endless activities, comfort and incredible food really does leave memories of a great weekend!
Along with the memories we were also taking home a bottle of the sparkling stuff from Carden Parks very own vineyard!
The 3-acre vineyard was reinstated by the Estates team in 2008 and has since become one of the most successful vineyards in the North of England producing up to 6,000 bottles of Carden Old Gold sparkling wine.
PERFECT.
T.O.