The Chronicle, A Heartwood Paper (Edition 02 - Summer 2024)

Edition 02 Summer 2024

The Chronicle Staycationers rejoice

The ulti-mutt guide

School’s out!

Summer is here

Celebrating our second pub

A rundown of the best

Looking for a summer’s

Delve into the food stories

with rooms in the picturesque

summer adventures with

day out? Why not discover

behind our sensational

coastal town of Emsworth

your four-legged friend

a new Heartwood Inn?

summer dishes!

The Ropemaker

Our second pub with rooms in the historical maritime town of Emsworth. Continued on page 2 >

2 | In the spotlight

Introducing our second pub with rooms...

The Ropemaker, Emsworth Where South Coast seaside charm combines with our renowned Heartwood Inns hospitality and warm welcome.

Nestled in the picturesque coastal town of Emsworth, Hampshire, The Ropemaker officially opened its doors at the end of July to become our 25th Heartwood Inn. A fantastic launch pad for those wanting to explore everything this beautiful part of the South Coast has to offer, our pub with rooms is a stone’s throw away from the bustling harbour and old world charm that has earned Emsworth an enviable reputation among artists, sailors and staycationers.

Step into our characterful pub and you’ll be greeted by our extensive bar with exposed fireplace, cosy snugs, lounge area and airy dining room so you’ll have your pick of places to dine and drink in.

Why not have a perfectly poured pint from local brewery Bowman Ales to accompany a delicious dish from one of our seasonal menus, which our talented chefs prepare in house from scratch every day. It’s this approach to detail that has earned us our top 3 star Sustainable Restaurant Association award, so maybe it’s time to find a new favourite!

Dining al fresco? With our extensive garden and beach hut cabanas we’ve got you covered whatever the weather.

Staycationers rejoice as we’ve got 43 beautifully designed boutique bedrooms that ooze comfort and relaxation, complimentary treats when you check in, our renowned Heartwood Inns breakfast to set you up for the day ahead and we’ve even got goody packs for children and dogs to ensure every member of your family receives the very best of Heartwood welcomes!

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5 reasons to put Emsworth on your bucket (and spade!) list

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Immerse yourself in old world charm This picturesque town is full of life with colourful fishermen’s cottages, independent shops and a bustling harbour. Immerse yourself in the history of Emsworth in the fantastic town museum and discover which well-known author once resided here.

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Craving the coastline?

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Whether you want to try a spot of paddle boarding on nearby Hayling Island (ask for Simon at Hayling Watersports), experience the golden sands of West Wittering, hire a boat or just wander along the shore with an ice cream in hand, this is the perfect spot for all the family to be beside the seaside.

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Get those steps in!

Emsworth is the starting block for numerous well-known walks, including the Solent Way, and with its enviable location on the edge of the South Downs, there’s no better place to get active - anyone for a family game of I Spy with the local flora and fauna?!

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Experience the icon that is Goodwood Whether you’re craving the iconic roar of Goodwood Revival or Festival of Speed or you’ve got Glorious Goodwood firmly marked in your diary, we’re ideally located to be your base to explore the beautiful parkland that makes up this beautiful English estate.

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Get that retail fix With Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays and Chichester’s thriving city centre just a short drive from Emsworth there’s no shortage of options to pick up some additions for your overnight case.

We’d recommend our sister company Brasserie Blanc, located in both cities, as a great lunch stop.

Top right Colourful houses by Emsworth harbour Bottom right Beach huts at West Wittering Beach

4 | Out and about

Your ulti-mutt guide to pawsome summer adventures To celebrate all of our Heartwood pups we’ve put together our top recommendations!

Monthly meet ups Looking for the perfect opportunity for you and your dog to make new friends? Join one of our popular pub dog walks!

Whether it’s a stroll around the leafy village of Chalfont St Peter, heading down to the beach in Highcliffe, or walking over to Ruislip we’ll get you a coffee, pastry and then help you get your steps in before Sunday lunch!

Check out your local Heartwood Inn’s social media or website blog to find out the details of your nearest dog walk.

Pay a visit to our stick library Follow in the footsteps (or bike tracks!) of Olympians by exploring the beautiful Box Hill where there are paths to suit every ability and views that are second to none. What better way for your pooch to get freshened up for a welldeserved lunchtime treat than trying out our luxury dog shower at The White Horse, Dorking, and selecting a souvenir stick from our stick library. Happy hounds (and humans!) guaranteed!

The ultimate dog’s day out The ultimate celebration of all things dog, Goodwoof is most definitely one for your list. From Barkitecture, featuring cutting-edge kennel designs, to Ministry of Hound dog disco.

From dog yoga and dog tarot to Goodwoof Games and Fido’s Lido. Book your pawfect overnight stay in nearby Emsworth for next year’s event!

Muddy paws getaway We love to put a smile on the faces of each and every guest - and that includes those with four legs! Check in for an overnight stay and watch your dog’s tail wag faster when they see their comfortable Tuffies bed and Digby Dog overnight pack, complete with luxurious dog wash and a couple of tasty treats. And relax!

Lottie’s top tips We caught up with Lottie Gross – awardwinning travel writer and author of Dog Days Out – 365 things to do with your dog in the UK and Ireland – for her tips for travelling with your four-legged friend.

What should I look for when booking a pet friendly stay?

For me, it’s always less about what novelty extras the hotel can provide and more about the practicalities: can I dine with my dog?

Is there a park nearby for morning wees, or even better, is there an enclosed space nearby or onsite where I can let them off the lead? Does the hotel provide bowls and beds or blankets? Is there an exorbitant charge for bringing my dog along? All of these are important things to ask before booking any trip.

What should I consider when planning a holiday with my dog?

Give your dog a bone Or even better, treat your dog to a tasty treat from our Sir Woofchester’s range, taste-tested by our very own panel of pups and available in each of our Heartwood Inns. From Bark Bangers to Paw Star Martinis, this will guarantee you’re not in the doghouse with your four-legged friend!

Think about what your dog is used to at home: if they have steadfast routines, think about where you go and where you stay might affect those. Set your dog up for success in pubs and restaurants by visiting some closer to home and doing some training - a great excuse for a drink in your local!

What essentials should I bring with me on a staycation with my dog?

Beyond their food and perhaps a toy or two, I always travel with three essential items: a settle mat for chilling in pubs and restaurants (it gives the dog a safe space to relax on while I eat), a longline for extra freedom in new spaces where I don’t know what’s around the corner or what wildlife he might disturb, and a selection of long-lasting chews which he’ll devour while I am at the pub or eating my breakfast - they’ll keep him busy so I can enjoy my meal in peace.

School’s out - summer fun begins!

With the summer holidays in full swing, why not discover a new Heartwood Inn and make a day of it?

Step on board Concorde Want to get up close to Concorde?

Explore aeroplanes, racing cars and buses at the world’s first purpose-built racetrack at Brooklands museum. With a number of themed family events over the summer it’s the perfect interactive day out. Stop off for lunch before or after your visit at the characterful Queen’s Head, Weybridge. In July and August, we’re offering a free Mirabeau x

Fever-Tree rosé spritz when you dine from our new Lunch Club seasonal menu so you can toast to the summer holidays in style.

Embark on a quayside quest The Britannia, Parkstone, combines classic comfy chic with a beautifully colourful and sunny outside dining area with open outdoor fireplace, stylish seating and a vibrant outside bar. Where better for your little ones to try our

new kids ultimate ice cream platter with mix and match toppings so they can be chef for the day. Once your family is suitably fed and watered, head on down to Poole Harbour to follow pirate trails, go crabbing or take a boat trip over to Brownsea, the National Trust’s island of adventure.

Experience a working farm Join small animal encounter sessions, hop on board the tractor

and trailer ride, complete the British wildlife stamp trail or get creative in Craft Corner… There’s so much fun for all the family at Bocketts Farm Park that you might want to consider booking in to stay overnight at nearby Heartwood Inn The White Horse in Dorking.

Burn off that energy during the day and then head back for a delicious dinner and most comfortable of overnight stays.

Inn other news | 7

Previous page Top left The Queen’s Head in Weybridge Bottom left Garden terrace at The Britannia, Parkstone

Top left Garden terrace with custom striped banquettes

Top right Kids playing at The White Horse, Dorking

Bottom left Stylish interiors in the pub

Bottom right Ultimate children’s ice cream platter

Right Beautiful dining area in the main brasserie

A brand new look for The Jolly Farmer General Manager Jon and Head Chef Critian were incredibly excited to reveal our £450,000 refurbishment of The Jolly Farmer, Chalfont St Peter, in May and, in keeping with the theme, to celebrate we hired a vintage tractor to hand out seasonal fruit and vegetables around the local villages. We were even joined by a group of local farmers who cut our opening ribbon with a pair of shears! With an extensive and lavish terrace you can make like you’re in the Med and dine al fresco all summer, or take a seat inside our stunningly refurbished dining area and cosy local pub to take your pick from our seasonal menu and refreshing drinks list.

8 | Steeped in history

Meet Reading’s oldest pub We’ve been working on lovingly restoring Reading’s oldest pub, The Rising Sun, for many months and were so excited to welcome this Grade II listed beauty into our Heartwood Inns family when we officially opened the doors in June. A cosy and welcoming pub featuring beers from local brewery Loddon with all of our well-loved Heartwood finishes and touches sitting alongside the traditional beams of this 17th century gem. A contemporary new brasserie to the rear, lavishly furnished and overlooking the beautiful and extensive garden with a shepherd’s hut bar, cosy and covered booths (work from pub anyone?!) and lots of colour and seating to enjoy the very best of the weather. Pop by and say hello to General Manager Ben and his team if you’re in the area this summer!

Top right Cosy pub corners Above Wood-beamed bar area Right Exterior signage with view of St Mary’s Church Far right Garden terrace to the rear of the pub

Inns with history The White Horse Dorking The White Horse was a popular coaching inn on the route between London and Portsmouth and has hosted many distinguished guests over the years. It is believed that Charles Dickens visited and was inspired by the pub and its clientele to write his first novel The Pickwick Papers. Jane Austen was also rumoured to have visited with Box Hill featuring in her novel, Emma.

The Barley Mow Englefield Green Englefield Green was the location for the last fatal duel fight in England. Taking place between two Frenchmen, Frederic Cournet and Emmanuel Barthélemy, the fatally wounded Emmanuel was carried into the pub after the tragic duel. Author Victor Hugo mentions the life of Emanuel in his eponymous novel, Les Misérables.

The March Hare Guildford The March Hare is located next to Guildford Castle where there is a statue of Alice in Wonderland. Author Lewis Carroll was a frequent visitor to Guildford during his lifetime but it is unlikely that he was initially recognised as the author of Alice in Wonderland which was published three years before his first visit as he visited under his real name, Charles Dodgson.

Top Cosy corners at The White Horse in Dorking Left Exterior and pub dining at The Barley Mow in Englefield Green Above Bar seating at The March Hare in Guildford

10 | Food stories

Savour our summer menu

‘Tis the season to discover a new favourite and what better place to start than purusing our summer menu which launched in July.

specially selected variety of Isle of Wight tomatoes are packed full of flavour thanks to an abundance of sunshine and maritime air which makes them the very best of British produce.

Seasonality, selecting the very best suppliers and building a highly talented team of chefs who cook everything from scratch in house every day has been in our DNA right from the beginning. We guarantee you can taste the difference! Let’s discover a bit more about some of our new additions .

Bouillabaisse

Isle of Wight heritage tomato salad Taste the season with our Isle of Wight heritage tomato salad with avocado & lime purée and creamy bocconcini. Our

Beautifully-cooked bouillabaisse made with monkfish, langoustine, bream, king prawn, mullet and gurnard, saffron potatoes, braised fennel and sauce rouille served with crusty baguette.

This traditional Provençal fish stew is a quintessential French classic combining sustainably sourced fresh seafood and a flavoursome broth.

Basque cheesecake Macerated strawberries and blueberries combine with strawberry coulis to accompany

Sustainability spotlight Our seasonal menus celebrate provenance and we are proud of our long-term partnerships with some of the very best suppliers in the UK who share our passion for ethical and sustainable food sourcing. Let’s meet one of our long term sustainable partners…

Introducing Aubrey Allen - the award-winning family butcher and butcher to the Royal Household for over 15 years. This is a supplier who commits to sourcing only the finest and most sustainable meat and selects only the top 1% of ethically produced meat for our table. This commitment ensures that every meal you enjoy is not only delicious but also responsibly sourced.

our beautifully light and airy Basque cheesecake, a dish that was once declared by The Times as the “dessert that broke the internet”. The luxurious velvety texture and sweet (but not too rich) taste is a guaranteed summer pleaser.

Summer spritz at the ready!

Light and refreshing, the spritz has fast become the drink of the summer! With Brambleberry Spritz, Citrus Spritz, Rose Petal Spritz and of course the iconic Aperol Spritz, to name just a few, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll enjoy. Cheers!

Say cheese!

Our Head of Food Development, Manoj Prasad, took some of his team of talented chefs to the verdant hills of Somerset to see for themselves how the local terroir enhances the cheesemaking at Westcombe Dairy. With the philosophy that the cheese is only as good as the milk it’s made from, and that milk is only as good as the cows that produce it and the land they graze, this is a supplier who really prioritises the health and resilience of their land to create delicious cheeses that are reflective of the countryside that produces them. We are proud to feature Westcombe Red on our summer cheese platter - a mellow but characterful cheese, boasting a good depth of flavour and an artisanal take on a traditional territorial Red Leicester. Pairs perfectly with a medium or full-bodied red wine from our extensive list, ask our team for their personal recommendation!

12 | Just for fun

Win! To celebrate the opening of our newest pub with rooms, The Ropemaker, Emsworth, we’re offering a lucky reader the chance to win a gift card worth £100.

To enter, book a stay with us for three nights or more at The Ropemaker, Emsworth in August or September 2024 for the chance to win a Heartwood Inns gift card.

Use it to enjoy a delicious Sunday roast with the family or why not gift it to a friend for a little act of kindness. www.ropemakeremsworth.com

Crossword

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With 24 Heartwood Inns and more to come soon there are so many local stories to discover. Why not test out your knowledge with our Heartwood crossword?

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8 3

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2 20

18 19 5

21 12

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Across

1. Famous biscuit manufacturer that was based in Reading (7)

8. Character from Alice in Wonderland (5,4)

2. Historic baronial court of England & Wales (5,4)

9. Married to Albert (8)

16. Author of Paddington Michael Bond was born here (7)

3. Author of The Pickwick Papers (7,7)

10. Tends the land (6)

17. Royal National [ ] Institution (8)

11. University city known for punting (9)

18. Species of bear that likes the cold (5)

4. Hill in Surrey that is famous for cycling and Jane Austen (3,4) 5. King known for his many wives (5) 6. Gloucestershire castle and final resting place of Catherine Parr (7) 7. [ ] Johnson author of the first Oxford English Dictionary (6)

12. End of the District Line (9)

24. [ ] Green where the last fatal duel took place in England (10)

15. A small fast racing dog (7)

19. Founding father of the United States that lived in Lewes (6,5)

13. The type of fruit known as a British Queen (10)

20. Famous English public school (6)

14. Someone that would rob coach passengers (10)

22. Bright yellow flower (9)

25. A person who makes rope (9) 26. Irish poet that lived briefly in Thame (5) 27. Famous royal palace (7,5) 28. Area near Highcliffe known for its expensive beach huts (8)

21. Used for hitting a cricket ball (3) 23. Margot Fonteyn was born here (7)

@heartwoodcollection | @heartwoodinns