Warner Leisure Hotels Takes Historic Cricket St Thomas Into a New Era

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England, August 3, 2010 - The Warner Leisure Hotels owned historic grade-II Cricket St Thomas Hotel
near Chard, Somerset, has formally opened its gardens following a major
landscaping and restoration project.

GBP300,000 has already been invested in the project which has opened up
the glorious vistas of one of Somerset's most beautiful valleys. Covering
around 160 acres the gardens include designs by Chelsea Flower Show Gold
Medal winner Kate Gould, and a rose garden maze in the shape of a rose bud.

The project forms part of a GBP3 million investment by UK Breaks
(www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/ ) specialist, Warner Leisure Hotels.

The formal opening of the gardens and lakes also sees the launch of an
exciting new venture for the Cricket St Thomas Hotel with the introduction of
an Italian style restaurant within the former walled gardens of the country
house. Representing an investment of around GBP200,000 the new Fenocchi's
restaurant will offer authentic Tuscan style cuisine prepared by
award-winning chef Jason Eland for both hotel guests and visitors to the
gardens.

Other major redevelopments at Cricket St Thomas include a stylish upgrade
of the Tree Tops restaurant and refurbishment of the historic old house, with
a new wing opening comprising 22 stylish new Signature rooms which are due in
August.

The opening of the gardens and lakes marks a new era in the history of
the estate, which dates back to the 12th century. Originally created in the
19th century by the second Lord Bridport the gardens feature a chain of lakes
and cascades, as well as formal ornamental gardens. As part of the
restoration the lakes have been drained and cleaned and a new water feature
created at the entrance to the estate.

The lawns of the elegant Regency country mansion, which appeared in the
TV sitcom 'To the Manor Born', still feature the large cedars under which
Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton are believed to have spent many happy hours.

Work on the gardens is scheduled to continue over the next three years
with visitors voting on how they want to see the project develop.

Ian Gyte, General Manager of Cricket St Thomas hotel, said: "The new
Lakes and Gardens are a stunning testament to the long heritage of Cricket St
Thomas whilst taking the gardens firmly into the 21st century. They offer a
new opportunity for the thousands of visitors and local residents we are
welcoming this year to enjoy one of Somerset's most glorious landscapes.

"The garden project will last a total of three years and it will be
fascinating to see how they evolve as the work progresses. The opening of the
new restaurant and the investment in the hotel are also hugely exciting and
clearly demonstrate our continuing confidence in offering superb facilities
for our guests and visitors to enjoy."

Gardener Kate Gould commented: "What Warner Leisure Hotels are doing is
no small feat and it will be fascinating to see the gardens develop as the
plans take shape."

The gardens are open daily until the end of September. Children under
five go free and the gardens are free to hotel break (
www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/short-breaks/Hotel-Breaks.aspx ) guests.

About Warner Leisure Hotels:

Exclusively for adults, Warner Leisure Hotels enjoys an occupancy rate of
95% in its portfolio of 13 properties across the UK. Warner Leisure Hotels
offers a wide choice and style of hotel breaks, each with its own
personality. Renowned for its Weekend Breaks (
www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/short-breaks/weekend-break.aspx) and
seasonal offers with Christmas Breaks (
www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/short-breaks/christmas-break.aspx ) and
New Year Breaks (
www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/short-breaks/new-year-break.aspx), the
chain is also known for its wide range of experiences, offering more than 600
additional activities and UK breaks from hot air balloon trips and antiques
with TV's Eric Knowles to trips on the Orient-Express and numerous dance
breaks.

    For media information and photographs please contact:

    Deborah McCabe

    Warner Leisure Hotels
    1 Park Lane
    Hemel Hempstead
    Hertfordshire
    HP4 3QS
    +44-(0)1444-235-154

www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

For media information and photographs please contact: Deborah McCabe, Warner Leisure Hotels, 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP4 3QS, +44-(0)1444-235-154