The Perfect Birthday Weekend Away in Berkshire

I manifested a weekend away in Windsor for my 43rd birthday months and months ago, visualising being back in our old home town after 15 months away, hanging out with my Berkshire besties again, taking in the views that made up my daily life there, and guess what, the universe provided, as did De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel (!) who kindly invited us back to stay within the Mansion House part of the hotel in a majestic suite of actual dreams (I could have moved into the bathroom alone, it was that big).

Come and take a tour with me! Race you there!

Florence loved her new home from home and kept pointing everywhere saying, ‘This holiday and this is holiday’ before squeeling, ‘I love it, I love it’. My husband and I felt the same way!

Look how plush yet comforting and homely the suite is!

I was definitely making notes on the decor for our new house which is currently being renovated.

Stunning!

It was hard to check out on the Sunday!

Seriously though and without any exaggeration, everything about our long weekend away was utterly perfect, even if our ‘clingy, won’t stay longer than an hour with my folks 2 year old’ Florence, gatecrashed our couples-only trip, which in the end, actually contributed to it being so wonderful.

I feel just as clingy with her, if I’m honest!

So, I’m going to try and keep this post as brief as possible because it’s pretty emotional writing about being back with my friends again but I must document what a joyful weekend back in Berks, it was. So full of joy and love.

I laughed, I cried (it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to, right!), I scoffed my body weight in all my favourite foods and drink (hello veggie pizza and more chocolate than Charlie’s chocolate factory could muster washed down with bubbles) and excellent food all-round from a varied cooked and continental breakfast and delicious lunch boasting French onion soup, hummus and crudites, squid, chickpea curry and vegan vegetable pizza and not forgetting hangover-busting room service of wings and fries.

The birthday cake, wine and Prosecco in our room were incredibly thoughtful touches and much appreciated.

Speaking of brilliant food, as always my friend Emir’s Italian restaurant, Enzo’s on Peascod Street made for a magical birthday meal with my friends on the Saturday evening.

I dined at Enzo’s regularly when we lived in Windsor and even held the reception for Florence’s baptism there so the restaurant means a lot to me. I highly recommend this Windsor eaterie with its wood fired pizza oven, grilled specials and seasonal salads so check them out. Thank you to Enzo for the complementary Prosecco, Limoncello shots and Tiramisu.

I think I’m still full a week later ;)!

I managed a little exercise to balance all of the indulgence if you count laughing until you almost lose control of your bladder; shopping in Reading picking up some Christmas PJs in Primark (so Florence and I could twin) and strolling around the stunningly serene Estate. That all counts as cardio right?!

I’m just sad I forgot my swimming costume and trainers otherwise I would have hit the hotel swimming pool and gym. Next time. Somewhere I did hit however was the on-site playground close to our room.

I joined Florence on the swing and even slid down the slide with her (much to my husband’s surprise), which was definitely another holiday highlight!

My heart is so full.

Thank you so much to everyone for making my birthday so special. Being back with some of my oldest and closest friends in the world who know me inside, out and who I literally sobbed having to leave when we first moved to Yorkshire, felt healing in so many ways. I needed to see them.

I even got to meet a friend’s sweet new baby girl along with her older children, which melted my heart. Ditto seeing the children of friends I love and miss.

I’m happy living in Yorkshire but Windsor will always have a big piece of my heart so returning felt special. Now I must head back with my boys who also want to reconnect with their old friends and the town we made so many happy memories in.

Aww, what a moving, enriching weekend away. My birthday felt like the 40th I couldn’t have due to the pandemic and lockdown. A dream come true. Here’s to a healthy, fun and creative year ahead!

Excitingly, over on my Instagram, you can win a one night stay for 2 with a three course dinner with soft drinks plus breakfast, at the De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel.

Good luck!