Giveaway: Win a Weekend Away with Premier Inn

With the weekend almost over, I thought it would be perfect timing to launch a super giveaway on the blog to win an outdoorsy weekend away for two, courtesy of Premier Inn. Sound good? Read on, my friends.

Premier Inn have launched a new campaign called Great British Stories, promoting all the awesomeness the Great British countryside has to offer. To give you a taste of what you could win, Premier Inn sent me and the OH to the historic town of Shrewsbury to have our own weekend adventure; and what a treat it was!

The Shrewsbury Premier Inn was perfectly located in the town centre, only 5 minutes walk from the train station and directly opposite the River Severn. We didn’t know the night we arrived, what a great location it was – within only minutes from the shops and attractions the town has to offer.

The first evening we landed at the hotel we headed straight for a bite to eat and drink at The Alb. We sampled the Anti Pasto, Garlic Tiger Prawns, and Marinated Chicken Skewers followed by beautifully crafted cocktails, including the Bramble Royal, Jack’s Marvellous Medicine and Tequila Mockingbird! A lively place with friendly staff and located only a couple of minutes from the hotel. A great find!

 

Shrewsbury Premier Inn Restaurant and Bar

Saturday morning, after our Premier breakfast, we ventured 20 minutes (by car) out of Shrewsbury to the historic landscape of Hawkstone Park Follies.

We had the place pretty much all to ourselves as the park had reopened that day for Spring/Summer. Consequently that meant I could pretend I was a character from Lord of the Rings, whilst discovering the 200-year-old crags, caves (bring a torch!), woods and historic monuments that the place had to offer. If you were at the park last weekend and heard someone humming the Lord of the Rings theme song, that was me. Thousand apologies.

 

Ravens View,  looking out over Shropshire and Hawkstone Park

Sycamore, Silver Birch, Wild Chestnut…so many trees!

The view from The Monument (thank you OH whilst my knees were quivering!)

Things I learnt during the three-hour hike; bring lots of water and snacks. Unfortunately the refreshments area two hours into the walk wasn’t open – our own fault for not checking on a warm day. Tea and cake were very much needed (and devoured) back at the Caspian Tearooms at the entrance/exit, I can tell you!

Secondly, I’m not good with heights anymore. Apparently you can see thirteen counties from the top of the 100ft high monument in the centre of the park. I saw a field or two, then slowly crouched to the floor until my legs stopped feeling like jelly (very windy up there!). The OH managed to take a quick picture before we descended to a nicer climate. Cowardly Lisa!

Climbing the crags

The Hermitage (Shire-esque!)

After our day adventuring in the great outdoors, we researched what felt like hundreds of restaurants that Shrewsbury has to offer. We finally booked a late evening table for two at The Peach Tree Restaurant, which had been recommended for great food, service and atmosphere.

For starters I had shrimp, crayfish and smoked salmon served with beetroot bloody mary mayonnaise which was absolutely delicious. For mains I chose honey glazed duck breast with colcannon dauphinoise potatoes – the best dauphionise I have tasted (and I’ve tried a lot). The OH had scallops and seabass which he devoured, but we were both too full to attempt a dessert. I would have loved to try the salted caramel chocolate nemesis garden – oh my!

The Peach Tree Restaurant

 

On Sunday, after leaving our bags with the left luggage at Premier Inn, we planned a day of pottering around the medieval town. The forecast was full of sunshine – hurrah for Spring!

Junk and Disorderly

Walking along the River Severn, and crossing the bridge towards Theatre Severn, Junk ‘n’ Disorderly was our first find; four floors of treasures to discover in here!

Music Hall, narrow alleyways and timber-framed buildings…

Market Hall…a nice spot for people watching

Bright painted buildings and blue skies…

Shrewsbury Castle and Art Gallery

Red Velvet Cake from Bear Steps Coffee House. A lovely quiet spot to sit outside in the sun!

Lots of vintage, independent shops and high street shops

The Quarry and The Dingle //  Sabrina Boat Trips

The Boathouse

 

The Sabrina Boat river cruise was so much fun. A 40 minute scenic route of the town in the sunshine was the perfect way to end our weekend break. It felt like Summer all over again, as we sipped wine and ate a bag of crisps, whilst gazing upon the 29-acre parkland known as, The Quarry.

The picture-perfect Shrewsbury ticks all the boxes for a perfect weekend away; river walks, stunning surrounding countryside, great park life (The Quarry and Dingle), independent shops and cafes, a bustling high street teeming with restaurants and great nightlife (cocktail bars around every corner). I can’t wait to return and explore some more!

Fancy winning your own weekend away? Yes? Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below and you too could be discovering some place new right on your doorstep!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

 ♥

Disclosure: In collaboration with Premier Inn.