May 2008: If you go down to the New Forest today, you’re
sure of a big surprise.
For today’s the day the teddy bears have not only
a picnic, but a spa treatment and
full makeover on a luxurious break at
the Bartie Bristle Hotel & Spa in Beaulieu,
Britain’s first hotel and spa
for teddy bears. Inspired by Bartie Bristle –
an exclusive hand-made bear
who lives at Beaulieu’s collectable bear shop,
Bear It In Mind - this new
resort for the tired teddy is nothing less than five star.
“It’s no
picnic being a teddy bear these days,” says Resort Manager
Julie Tatchell,
proprietor of Bear It In Mind. ‘The price of honey has gone through
the
roof lately, and even bears of very little brain have heard about
global
warming from their polar cousins. Our vision is to create an
environment
where today’s overstretched urban teddy can
escape for a few days to
recharge the batteries in surroundings
of unashamed luxury. At the Bartie
Bristle Hotel, we go the extra
mile to do whatever it takes to restore
every bear to the
bright-eyed good looks and shiny coat of its youth.”
The 2008 summer season kicks off with a range of tempting
packages for
teddies of all shapes and sizes starting with an all-inclusive
revitalisation visit priced from £80 per stay (for up to two weeks,
depending on how stressed teddy is). The price, based on single
or double
occupancy, includes a pot of honey on arrival, outings,
most meals -
including a traditional
picnic, of course - a luxurious
scented steam bath
and full use of all resort facilities including
a games room with board
games at no extra charge.
After a stay at the Bartie Bristle Hotel & Spa,
every bear
returns home to its owner as good as new, with a portfolio
of
souvenir photos as a reminder of the stay. The Bartie Bristle
Spa offers
a complete range of therapies ranging from a scented
steam bath to a
complete makeover. The Spa Manager,
Amanda Middleditch, is the highly
skilled bear artist who
created the original Bartie Bristle of Beaulieu.
‘We welcome bears of any shape and size,
and no problem is too big or too
small,’ says Amanda.
The Spa offers a repair and restoration service
complete with a full report. The New Forest’s first
Bear Festival takes
place in Beaulieu on Sunday June 29th from 10 am to 4.30 pm.
The day promises to be a great family day out, with bear valuations,
exhibits, and vintage bear sales in Beaulieu Village Hall, plus stalls,
face-painting, a teddy-bears picnic on the local playing fields and a
teddy treasure hunt through the village with unique surprises
offered by
local traders. Parking is free at the National
Motor Museum in Beaulieu,
with a regular park and ride
shuttle bus link to and from the Bear
Festival, or a delightful
15 minute woodland walk (path not suitable for
wheelchairs) to the venue.
For more information on the New Forest and
accommodation/events:
www.thenewforest.co.uk