News
If you would like to be kept up to date with all of the latest news/events and developments at the Deer Park, then simply send us an email entitled Newsletter, to admin@deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk and we will ensure you receive all of the latest news.
RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNERS ADD TO UNIQUE COLLECTION OF SPORTING MEMORABILIA
The latest piece in one of the most unique collections of sporting memorabilia anywhere in the UK has gone on display at the Deer Park Country Hotel,just outside Honiton.
A white Mini, signed by every member of the victorious 2003 England Rugby Union World Cup Winning
team, has become the latest addition to a 200 piece collection at the 17TH Century Manor hotel, charting
well over 100 years of the blood, sweat and tears shed by some of some of the most well known sporting
icons ever known.
What started life as a small collection by one of the hotels directors has now grown to become one of the most unusual and diverse sporting collections in the UK.
The England Mini is not only the latest, but also the first four-wheeled piece in the collection, which includes everything from oil paintings depicting major historical sporting events, to cricket bats, framed shirts and programmes, and even one of the flags that were flying at Wembley stadium the day England won the World Cup in 1966.
According to Hotel Owner Steve Noar, the latest addition to the collection takes it into a whole new direction.
"Until now, all of the pieces in the collection have found a home on the walls of the hotel although it must be said we are running out of space such has it grown but clearly we couldnt do that with the mini, which the full England Rugby Union team signed to help raise money for charity.
"The collection starts from the moment you walk through the front door, with pieces in the public
rooms, restaurant and bar, up the main stairway and through the halls of the hotel. It is something
you simply wouldnt expect to find in a country house hotel in Devon but our guests absolutely love it
and spend a great deal of time looking at all of the pieces and reading about their history.
"They are also always very keen on their return to see how we have added to the collection so they certainly wont be able to miss the latest piece," said Mr Noar.
Even guests of the Deer Park who themselves have graced the international sporting arena have added to the collection. Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer, a regular visitor to the Deer Park, who wrote about the hotel in his autobiography, donated his shirt and gloves, which he wore when scoring the first Test century of this century.
Other features of the collection include:
- A signed Maradona shirt which he wore at the 1994 World Cup - the last time he played at the World Cup after being accused of drug taking, a Jonny Wilkinson signed rugby shirt, a 2002 autographed Brazil World Cup Winners Shirt, and an Allan Donald signed South African cricket shirt.
- A full size flag, signed by both teams commemorating the Rebel Cricket tour of South Africa by England in 1989/90 which has to be abandoned due to disruption
- Original portraits of Tiger Woods, Sir Geoff Hurst commissioned by West Ham and presented to him at his testimonial in 1971 and no-nonsense Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman
- A full size Gamage Bat with hand painted vignettes of the England players who took part in the infamous 1932-33 Bodyline series against Australia
- A photograph of Muhammad Ali - signed by the great boxer - standing over The Beatles at a training session in a gym in the 60's
"Undoubtedly the collection will continue to grow its finding the space that will be the challenge," added Mr Noar.
The Deer Park Hotel can be contacted on 01404 41266 or visited at www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk
COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL HOSTS RURAL SPORTING WEEKEND
One of
Devon’s leading country house hotels is set to play host to a weekend of country sports activities, giving people the chance to take part in a range of
events.
The 82 acres of the Deer Park Country hotel at Weston, near Honiton, will become home on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th of August to a range of country sports including Clay Pigeon shooting, fly fishing on the hotel’s own five mile stretch of the River Otter, archery and air rifle shooting.
In addition to the country sports, there will also be Falconry displays, food stalls, fly tying displays and beach casting demonstrations by World Champion Dennis Retter.
Dave Parker, owner of Otter Country Sports, which is organising the Bank Holiday weekend event says the Deer Park Country Hotel estate is the perfect location for country sports.
"We’ve got a fantastic location at the Deer Park with a great range of sports and events for people to come down and try. Whether you are an experienced fly fisherman and want to try the 5 mile stretch of River Otter, which has both Brown and Sea Trout or fancy having a go at any of the other country sports, then we would encourage people of all ages and experience to come along and give the sports on offer a go," said David.
Steve Noar of The Deer Park Country Hotel said they were delighted to be hosting the event.
"An increasing number of our guests are interested in country sports - especially the fishing on our own stretch of the River Otter, so to be able to open our grounds to anyone interested in the activities on offer is great," said Mr Noar who has owned and run the Deer Park for over 30 years.
For further details on the country sports weekend, please contact Otter Country Sports on 01404 41010. For details on Deer Park Country Hotel, please contact 01404 41266.
HOTELIERS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS IN CHARGE AT THE DEER PARK
The owners of a country house hotel near Honiton are celebrating
after reaching their 30th anniversary in charge.
Since taking over the Deer Park Country Hotel in 1977, Steve and Ann Noar have played host to thousands of guests including celebrities such as singers Joss Stone and Beyonce Knowles, Australian cricketer Justin Langer and members of the Dutch Royal family.
The husband and wife team plan to celebrate with a 30th anniversary ball to be held at the hotel later this year and say that despite reaching the milestone, they intend to keep welcoming guests for many years to come.
"It’s incredible to think we have been in charge at the Deer Park for the past 30 years, but the time really has flown by and we have been lucky enough to welcome thousands of guests to the hotel, make some tremendous friends and helped to create some wonderful memories and occasions in that time.
"The Deer Park has been our life for the past 30 years and is such a unique place that you simply never get tired of it and we intend to carry on welcoming people here for many years to come," said Steve.
For more information on the Deer Park contact 01404 41266 or visit www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk
Summer 2007
CHARACTER AND CHARM HELPS DEER PARK ACHIEVE 3 STAR RATING
The owners of a 17th Century Georgian country house hotel, which sits
in over 80- acres of countryside on the outskirts of Honiton is celebrating
after achieving a 3 star AA rating, following a recent inspection.
One of Devon’s best-kept secrets, the Deer Park Country House Hotel, which regularly plays host to members of the Dutch Royal family and celebrities from the sporting, television and music world’s, achieved the 3 star standard within the Country House Hotel category.
The 3 star rating also coincides with the 30th anniversary of current owners Steve and Ann Noar taking over the Deer Park, which has developed an enviable reputation for its customer service, food and quintessential character and charm.
According to Steve Noar, the 3 star rating is a reflection of the quality of the team at Deer Park, the unique quality and setting of the hotel and the programme of on-going improvements.
"We are delighted to achieve the 3 star rating from the AA. We are a classic country house hotel and have made a conscious decision to stay true to the history and charm of Deer Park, which has been here since the 17th Century. The fact that both the character and charm of the hotel was highlighted by the inspector as a great strength as was the friendliness of the staff is something we are particularly pleased about.
"Unlike many hotels which have in recent years opted for a more contemporary look and feel, we believe one of our key strengths is that we are happily 30 years behind the times, providing our guests with a beautiful and tranquil setting, excellent food and a focus on customer service within a building that is a classic English Country House," said Mr Noar.
In addition to the quality of the hotel and its service, the AA inspector also highlighted the unique collection of sporting memorabilia which can be seen throughout the hotel and which is one of the largest sporting memorabilia collection’s anywhere in the UK.
For more information on the Deer Park Country House Hotel call 01404 41266.
Spring 2007