Our Hotel Blog

As we approach World Menopause Day on October 18th, 2024, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of this natural life transition and …

Reaching the pinnacle of athletic achievement and competing at the Olympic level is a dream for many athletes. It represents years of dedication, …

When it comes to getting in shape and staying fit, two of the most effective training methods you can incorporate into your routine are …

With summer here, many of us are looking forward to well-deserved vacations from school or work. A holiday is a time to relax, de-stress, and …

BBQ season is here, and everyone is searching for the perfect way to impress family & friends. Here are a few top tips to keep in mind as you …

Incorporating fitness into your daily routine can transform your physical and mental well-being in remarkable ways. This article explores various …

At Sopwell House, we’re dedicated to enhancing sustainability in every aspect of our operations. We’re thrilled to share a recent …

Hi Fab, Happy Malbec Day & thank you so much for joining us to speak more about the wonderful and complex world of wine. What makes a Malbec? …

When it comes to exercising, it is not only beneficial for our mental health, but it also has a significant impact on our mental well-being. A …

We’re thrilled to share the news of James Peary’s promotion to Head Gardener. Since joining us in July 2023, James has demonstrated …

Improving your athletic skills is just like getting better at anything else: it takes practice and hard work to reach your goals. But before you …

As we gear up for spring, it’s time to shed off those extra layers of clothing and feel inspired. With summer just around the corner, a …

Strength training is really important for many physiological reasons, one of the main aspects is improving/retaining our bone density. When …

As the new year approaches so do the inevitable fitness goals we set as our new year’s resolutions!  If you’re someone that falls short of …

In the quest for a healthy and fit lifestyle, many people focus their energy on just cardio-based exercises, such as power walking, running or …

Some people crave sweets and chocolate whilst others crisps or fried food… but one thing we all have in common is we have all experienced …

As you sit there reading this, 100 trillion bacteria in your gut are at war amongst themselves and you are in control of who will be the victor! …

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body …

Muscular cramps or spasms can be described as painful contractions and tightening of your muscles. The worse thing about experiencing this type …

Walk into the gym with a plan More often than not I notice people wandering around the gym deciding what they need or want to do next with their …

Achieving the ideal summer body takes a lot of work and discipline. Whilst exercise is key to accomplishing your goals, it is equally import to …

As we are entering BBQ season, we would like to provide you with these top tips which have been suggested by our executive Chef, Gopi Chandran. …

As summer approaches, it is time to get our bodies in shape! Below highlights two types of training that are perfect to get you slim and toned in …

Our day-to-day lives involve a large amount of time sitting down, being inactive. This unfortunately can lead to a variety of different health …

Preparing for the activity ahead has many benefits and helps to reduce the risk of injury but above all makes your experience more enjoyable as …

Everyone’s back pain is different and subjective to that individual – the first step should always be get the area assessed by a professional …

Christmas is all about food, family and friends… but let’s be honest, how many Christmas dinners can one have in December before one is bored of …

It's getting cold outside and those chilly mornings aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so why not enjoy an extra few minutes in bed in the …

If you are looking for cutting -edge, safe and highly effective results from your skin routine, then think about switching to iSClinical.

The drop in temperature as Autumn and Winter unfolds takes its toll on our skin, and we often find ourselves battling dry patches, flaky skin, …

As soon as it becomes sweater weather and the leaves start turning into the most beautiful shades we know it is time for pumpkin spiced lattes.

Nowadays there is countless evidence to support how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you train regularly and can maintain a …

As the cooler Autumn weather arrives, our bodies and muscles are also feeling the cold and they tighten up, become more tired and less productive …

As peach season comes to an end, we thought we would share some favourite recipes to get that final taste of Summer whilst we still can.

With so many people jetting off on their holidays, it’s never too late to get some exercises on your radar to tone and firm up before your …

This Autumn Pride of Britain Hotels celebrate their 40th Anniversary with a 40 winks campaign. To join in the celebrations, Sopwell House have …

There are several ways in which you need to protect your skin daily, particularly from the sun and its UV rays which can lead to skin cancer, …

Water has integral roles to play in a variety of vital body functions such as helping carry oxygen around the body, the removal of toxins and the …

One of 12 signature cocktails, the Sipping Sopwell draws inspiration from the history books, when nuns used to dip crusts of bread into the water …

Ingredients  250g good quality dark chocolate – we use Callebaut Dark Chocolate Buttons! 250g unsalted butter 150g plain flour 1 tsp of baking …

Without question, the wedding trends for 2021 (and 2022!) are going to be influenced by the Coronavirus lockdown of 2020. With a myriad of …

This year you’ll probably be celebrating Valentine’s Day a little differently. Many of our favourite Restaurants are now able to …

It can be hard to kick the seasonal slump and stay mentally and physically well throughout winter even without the new challenges we face this …

An absolute favourite on our Brasserie menu because it just doesn’t taste like it’s gluten free or vegan, but we promise it is! Try …

Almost all of us are guilty of a little over-indulgence over the festive period. Come January, we’re trawling for ways to rid our body of …

Stress is a very relatable feeling however it affects us all in different ways. In light of what we are all going through as a nation regarding …

Now The Restaurant has been open for over a week we thought we would sit down with Restaurant Chef Joe Graham to find out what inspired the …

Often feared in the kitchen is the mighty meringue, a necessity for your Pavlova and a staple in our personal favourite, Eton Mess. With this …

The executive head chef of the St Albans country house hotel talks unusual combinations, going veggie and cooking with love Describe your style …

Whether you are doing projects around the house or working from home – The key is to work smarter, not harder. Here are some great tips to …

Town and Country Magazine recently published their top 25 cocktails to enjoy over Easter.  Below we have narrowed this down even further into our …

Stuck around the house with too much time on your hands? Make yourself a sweet treat and give our homemade iced tea recipe a go! Recipe serves 4 …

Most of us have had to make a strange transition in the last few days or maybe weeks, we hope these top tips give some support. 1. Set up your …

Winter weddings certainly have a magical element to them with the crisp blue skies, ambient snowy landscapes and long, cosy evenings. Hence it’s …

Maintaining healthy, glowing skin can be a struggle at times – even more so in changing seasons. Thankfully, our experienced Spa Therapists are …

BLUEBERRY AND LEMON CHEESECAKE PANCAKES The beloved traditional lemon and sugar crêpe is always a go-to on Pancake Day, but why not use this …

On the annual celebration of romance, what better way to show them you love them than with the gift of luxury and indulgence. So here …

Real cheese wedding “cakes”, potted plant centrepieces and vegan menus… We’re diving into the top wedding trends for …

This year, we’ve been proud to introduce some new brands to our spa product offering who are taking the beauty industry by storm. This Christmas, …

The drop in temperature as winter unfolds takes its toll on our skin, and we often find ourselves battling dry patches and chapped lips, and …

Our Fitness Manager, Laszlo Szabo has put together his favourite five studio classes from our brand new schedule, here are his favourites… …

Rahanni Celestial Healing Rahanni is an angelic hand’s on healing treatment, releasing negative energies and replacing them with inner peace, …

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a member of Cottonmill, the UK’s first private members’ spa? Well today we’re …

Cocktail Bar & Lounge Manager, Manuela Camilleri joined the Sopwell House team late 2018 and from the minute Manuela came on board she was …

Anyone who says salads are boring, simply hasn’t made one well. By no fault of their own, this might have been because they were short of a …

Spring/Summer Edition. If you’ve ever ventured to Sopwell House, you’ll know we take great pride in our glorious & blooming …

Who need’s superheros when we have Mums in the world? Who else would do your washing, cook you delicious Sunday dinners, pick you up every time …

From wedding design and colours to innovative food ideas, here are some trends to make note of for the wedding season in 2019. From wedding …

ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER Welcome back to our ‘Ten Questions with…’ blog series where we’re sharing some inside information on our spectacular …

The word detox will be used over and over throughout January and it’s a word that you shouldn’t be scared of. Put simply a ‘detox’ or as we like …

Are you eating healthily but struggling for recipe inspiration? We’ve got a dish that’s delicious, healthy, satisfying and versatile so that you …

Christmas day will soon be upon us, have you begun your Christmas shopping? Today we’re sharing our top five beauty and skincare gift …

The secret to a deliciously rich and indulgent fruit cake is well soaked dried fruit. In this recipe our expert chefs recommend soaking the dried …

As people who work in skincare on an every day basis, it was only right that we consulted our spa therapy team for winter skincare tips… …

Unforgettably delicious, rich and sweet, this tiramisu recipe will have you wanting dessert for every meal of the day. Serves 4-5 Ingredients …

Organising a Christmas party can come with its pressures. Whether you’re hosting colleagues, partying with friends or even celebrating with …

WEDDING & EVENTS COORDINATOR Welcome back to our ‘Ten Questions with…’ blog series where we’re sharing some inside information on our …

Interested in joining a fast-paced, exciting and engaging industry? THEN HOSPITALITY COULD BE FOR YOU… Looking to break into the …

DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER A brand new blog series of ‘Ten Questions With…’ where we’ll be diving in behind the scenes to find out more about the …

Ingredients • 2 large potatoes, peeled • 4 sprig Spring onion, finely chopped • 150g of tinned chickpeas, drained • 1 tbsp of cumin seeds • 1 tsp …

Are you in charge of organising the next company conference? We’re sharing our top tips which might help to ease the process. Being …

Our top tips for mastering the barbecue… We’re now officially into the summer months and we all know what that means, time to uncover the …

Serves 4 Ingredients  • 1/4 Watermelon –  skin removed and diced 1 inch thick • Feta – 200g diced or crumbled • Kalamata olives – 50g pitted • …

Recovery after a marathon is not only one of the most important aspects of running a marathon, but it’s also unfortunately one of the most …

#NationalTeaDay SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALMIGHTY BREW. If you were to search for ‘things associated with British culture’ it is …

About to embark on your annual spring clean? We’re sharing our top cleaning tips for the jobs you might have been putting off…   1. Turn …

Turn on the out of office; IT’S TIME TO ENGAGE YOUR TEAM IN AN AWAY DAY. With company culture a hot topic in the ever changing millennial world …

Recipe BY EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF, GOPI CHANDRA INGREDIENTS • 30ml olive oil + 1 teaspoon • 1 large sweet potato, diced • 2 medium fennel bulbs, cut …

Pancake Making – Top Tips! BY EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF, GOPI CHANDRA • The basic kit- a good non-stick frying pan – flipping will be a lot …

The secret recipe to our warm homemade scones. Makes 10 scones with 5cm diameter cutter Ingredients 250g plain flour 50g sugar 15g baking powder …

Straight from the experts. Getting Married? WE’RE SHARING OUR TOP 5 TIPS TO EASE YOUR WEDDING PLANNING… 1. Venue – pick your venue …

A 17th Century Georgian Country House.. The earliest reference to Sopwell House is found in a deed of 1603, which makes reference to the house as …

IT’S ONLY THE MOST DEPRESSING DAY OF THE YEAR IF YOU LET IT BE. Is Monday getting to you a little more than usual? You’re not alone. It’s …

FROM OUR RESTAURANT & BAR MANAGER Top of the Pops – You only need to remember one thing when opening a bottle of Champers, twist the bottle, …