Legoland Windsor brings out the hero and child in everyone. There’s over 55 amazing interactive rides, attractions and live shows for the whole family. Set in 150 acres of parkland and featuring a staggering 55 million Lego bricks, it’s more fun than you can imagine for children aged 3-12 and their families.

In Legoland nearly everything you see is ingeniously built from Lego. This child orientated theme park brings Lego to life and offers kids tons of fun with 50 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions.

Where else can your child drive a JCB digger, drive a car, fly a plane or sail the seas in complete safety? There are height restrictions on some of the faster bigger rides but plenty of rides for smaller children too. There are daily theatre shows, puppet shows, a live stunt show and an amazing 4D mediaeval experience. Loads of places to eat or you can take your own picnic to enjoy in the 150 acres of park. Plenty of places to buy Lego merchandise at the end of the day to extend your collection. Here at the Bull Hotel we are conveniently located to Legoland, Windsor as we are only a 20 minute drive away so why not take advantage of our Legoland packages which include the following:

Free two day entry to Legoland
Full English Breakfast
Overnight accommodation (children share with two adults for two nights)

One Night Bed and Breakfast: £48.00 per adult, £45.00 per child
One Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast: £68.00 per adult, £55.00 per child
Two Night Bed and Breakfast: £29.00 per adult, £26.00 per child
Two Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast: £49.00 per adult, £36.00 per child
Children under 3 stay and eat free with us here at The Bull Hotel

Submitted by Clare Shaw, The Bull

The Bull Hotel Accommodates The William Hunt Trilby Golf Tour

Having been what some may call a golf widow for the last 10 years, with a partner who is not only passionate about the sport but also Head Greenkeeper at Princes Risborough’s Whiteleaf Golf Course it seems like sometimes I can never get away from it!From lengthy boring bouts of it on the TV, to long explanations of the rules that I clearly don’t care enough about to understand, to picking up rogue golf balls around the flat, it’s a constant part of my home life
Imagine then my delight then when I secured next weeks rooms booking for the William Hunt Trilby Golf Tour which is being held at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

It was difficult to tell how the booking would go or if it would be a success as all golfers needed to book individually. The Tour gave us a great advertisement on their website and in the last few weeks bookings have been increasing by the day.The Buckinghamshire, affectionately known as the 'Bucks' by its fans, is a majestic golf course and stately home, surrounded by lakes and rare wildlife. Headed by Irish golf legend John O'Leary it is widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking golf courses in England.The course was created by the legendary John Jacobs O.B.E., former European Tour player, Ryder Cup Captain and in recent year’s renowned course designer. His skilful use of the natural feature and local topography, allied to the devoted skill of their greenkeeping staff who present the course to the highest standards year round have meant that the course has quickly become recognised as one of the finest inland courses in the British Isles.

The bookings have come from all the golfers and caddies’ taking part in the tournament and it has been great for the hotels occupancy in August and a real boost to the reservations department. Plus the food and beverage team and I are hoping that they all follow suit with my partner and his golf friends and love a drink!! Whatever I have said about the sport in the past I take back – I now love it!!

Michelle Mayes – Reservations Manager at the Bull Hotel

Settling in at the Bull Hotel by Nicola and Samuel

At the beginning of March we were about to embark on our new career, this took the form of Receptionists on the Front Desk at the Bull Hotel. We are both live in staff living far away from our home towns, friends and family. Understandably we were both nervous about starting our new jobs, however we were instantly welcomed by everybody at the hotel.

When we were shown around the hotel, we felt proud to be employees of the Bull Hotel. The warm atmosphere in the lounge bar, garden and lobby area made us feel at ease. The bedrooms ranging from standard to suites all had their own facilities that make guests feel like they are in a ‘home from home’ with bedrooms offering fantastic views of Gerrards Cross common or our beautiful gardens.

Working on the Front Desk, we meet new guests everyday from all around the world. Some guests coming for a holiday and some coming for business. We find many guests enjoy staying with us as we are just a short train ride away from London, but away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet with Gerrards Cross charming village within walking distance with all the amenities that one would need during their stay.

So why not come in from a drink or enjoy a weekend with us? Be sure to say hi to us when you see us at Reception.

Rembrandt Runner takes on the Royal Parks

After weeks of overindulging with friends whilst watching World Cup matches and cheering on Andy Murray in his valiant, yet ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to lay his hands upon the Wimbledon winner’s trophy, I’ve decided to don my trusted trainers once again and take to the streets of London to embrace another long distance running challenge. With the support of my friends, family and colleagues from The Rembrandt and Aquilla Health Club, I took part in and completed The Great North Run last September – my first ever half marathon. Inspired and motivated by this achievement, this year I have decided to undertake a similar challenge much closer to home, namely The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon which is taking place on Sunday 10th October, or 10.10.10 (no excuses for forgetting this date!).

The Royal Parks Foundation (RPF) is the charity for London's eight amazing royal parks and they reach out to make the parks part of more people’s lives by raising funds for a wide variety of projects, ranging from wildlife conservation and landscape restoration to community sport and art. The half marathon both starts and finishes in Hyde Park, one of my personal favourites and only a stone’s throw from The Rembrandt, perfect for a mid-summer stroll on a hot sunny day. The route winds its way past some of London’s most historic features including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, Admiralty Arch and, of course, through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s and Green Park, amongst avenues of beautiful autumnal trees. Obviously the weather will be much cooler come race day in October, a factor that I hope will make my half marathon target of 2 hours all the more feasible!

In addition to supporting the RPF, I will be running to raise money for St. John’s Ambulance, an organisation which, like the RPF, provides us Londoners with an invaluable service that so many of us take for granted. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete keen to take part, a novice runner or just happy to come along to cheer on others, it promises to be a fun-filled day – the post-race “Brakes Food Festival” in Hyde Park will be providing sound stage entertainment and a host of household names exhibiting their latest and tastiest foods. With Hyde Park just a couple of tube stops away on the Piccadilly Line or a short walk from nearby Knightsbridge, The Rembrandt serves as a fantastic base for those coming to London to enjoy this and many other events taking place in Hyde Park over the next few months.

I have no doubt that the sound advice and training techniques imparted by my Aquilla colleagues will help me reach the optimum level of mental and physical fitness as they did all those months ago. Now that the football and tennis are over, there are no more excuses to stop me from pounding the London streets and jogging along the gorgeous and scenic routes that intersect our beautiful and well-maintained London parks. Whether it’s running, cycling, ambling or lazing around in the sun, I strongly encourage those of you that haven’t experienced them yet to embrace what London’s parks have to offer.

Submitted by Dan McDonagh, Human Resources Officer at The Rembrandt

Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is generally considered the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and the only one still played on the game's original surface, grass, which gave the game of lawn tennis its name.
The tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, culminating with the ladies' and gentlemen's singles final, scheduled for the second Saturday and Sunday.
Every four years the prestigious Wimbledon Tennis Championships is totally forgotten and plays second fiddle to the football World Cup.
The football showcase underway in South Africa has been a distraction to the action happening at the All England Club.
Apart from last week when John Isner made history at Wimbledon on Thursday when he won the longest tennis match in Wimbledon history. At the end of the day John won it 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-3), 70-68. It set the record for the longest match in the history of Open Era tennis in terms of time, games played, and games played in a set.
Before last Tuesday, France’s Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner were unknown names in world of tennis. The two were involved in an epic match that lasted 11 hours, five minutes and spanned the course of three days. It was such an historic moment that the All England Club organized a gift presentation for both the players.
In true British spirit, come along to the Bull Hotel and join us for an ice cool beverage, sumptuous BBQ food, a bowl of strawberries & cream and a great seat for all matches!

Submitted by Danielle Beukes The Bull Hotel

Tasty refreshing cocktails

Cucumber Mojito Crush

Replacing some of the mint with cucumber adds a whole extra dimension to this cool Cuban favorite.

The Goods:

1 1/2 ounces 10 Cane Rum
4 slices peeled seedless cucumber
6 to 8 mint leaves
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1 packet Equal
chilled ginger ale

In a tall glass, muddle together the cucumber, limes, mint and Equal. Add to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add rum and shake. Fill glass with crushed ice, return mixture to glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Pimm's Cup
This classic English summer drink is becoming increasingly popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Goods:

1 1/2 ounces of Pimm's Number One
4 to 5 ounces of 7-Up or Sprite
wedge of lemon
sprig of borage or, if unavailable, slice of cucumber

Ideally you should combine all the ingredients, in these proportions, in a large pitcher, and then pour it into highball glasses filled with ice.

Silver Celebrations in the Park

My past Blogs have often detailed the excitement and history that is to be found in West Wycombe, a small village only 15 miles form the Bull hotel in Gerrards Cross and just round the corner from my flat on the quiet and picturesque Downley Common.

In these blogs I have talked of the Hell Fire Caves, the old fashioned traditional sweet shop with over 350 varieties of sweets, the old haunted pub called the George and Dragon whose murdered servant girl Suki still wanders the bedrooms for this historic pub and of course the amazing views and walk over and around the Chiltern hills

Then there is West Wycombe Park with its fantastic gardens and mansion that The Dashwood family still live. It is now the home of Sir Edward Dashwood Bt., the 12th Premiere Baronet of Great Britain The main features of the grounds at West Wycombe are relics of the artificial Rococo style, offering an enticing mixture of water and solid ground which provide straight avenues, serpentine streams and winding paths in the woods.

The village and the park and grounds are truly beautiful and I have recently discovered that it is to play host to the Iain Rennie Hospice’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.

“Silver Celebrations in the Park”, a music and fireworks extravaganza, will take place on Saturday 4th September at West Wycombe Park. The use of this amazing venue has been given to them free of charge by the Dashwood family.

The gates will open at 4pm, with the concert starting at 7pm, featuring BRIT award winner Beverley Craven, Abba Forever and rock classics from the Pepper Show. The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display.

If you would like you to be part of this special day then you can find more information at www.irhh.org/silver. You can also book online here and anyone booking before 19th July is eligible for an early bird discount on their tickets!

Submitted by Michelle Mayes – Reservations Manager