Win! Tickets to Henley Festival and a VIP Champagne dinner for two at The Crooked Billet’s exclusive riverside restaurant

Zoe Gater

prize

One lucky reader can enjoy a memorable evening at Henley Festival, with two general admission tickets for Thursday 9 July and a VIP Champagne Dinner for two at chef Paul Clerehugh’s acclaimed Crooked Billet Riverside Festival Restaurant.


Widely regarded as one of Britain’s original gastropubs, The Crooked Billet in Stoke Row has been at the forefront of pub dining for decades. The Daily Mail famously coined the term ‘gastropub’ in 1989 when describing the venue, helping cement its reputation as a pioneer of modern British pub food.

Owner and chef Paul Clerehugh became the first pub chef to win a prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Award in 2004, a landmark moment recognising the culinary excellence found in Britain’s pubs.

Since then, the award has gone on to honour leading names including Tom Kerridge, Dominic Chapman and Nina Matsunaga.

The Crooked Billet has attracted national attention throughout its history, from hosting Kate Winslet’s wedding reception to being named among The Evening Standard’s Top 10 Pubs in 2025.

Readers of Observer Food Monthly voted Paul’s Sunday roast the best in Britain, while Tatler named it the best place to eat during Henley Royal Regatta.

Returning to Henley Festival this year, Paul and his team will once again be serving their award-winning gastropub menu from the riverside festival restaurant, where guests can enjoy exceptional food in one of the festival’s most sought-after dining locations.

Win a VIP Henley Festival experience

One lucky winner will receive:

– Two general admission tickets to Henley Festival on Thursday 9 July

– A VIP Champagne Dinner for Two at The Crooked Billet Riverside Festival Restaurant

How to enter

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: Who is the Henley Festival headline act on Thursday 9 July?

Email your answer to: info@l-s-b.co.uk

Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026.

Terms and conditions

– Entrants must be aged 18 or over.
– Entries must be received by 11.59pm on 5 July 2026.
– The prize includes two general admission tickets to Henley Festival on Thursday 9 July 2026 and a VIP
– Champagne Dinner for Two at The Crooked Billet Riverside Festival Restaurant.
– No cash alternative is available.
– The prize is non-transferable and subject to availability.
– The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of equal or greater value if circumstances require.
– The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Eastbury Hotel & Spa review

Liz Nicholls

prize

Lazing in the bubbling jacuzzi, gazing up at the round ceiling window, where concentric circles of rain pulse outwards… this is about as close to Zen as I can remember feeling.

I have entered the round, inviting, Hobbit-like door to the bijou spa at the bottom of the walled garden at The Eastbury in Sherbourne. Inside is a nurturing safe haven that feels a million miles from the daily hubbub, with a luxury wet spa, hydrotherapy tub, sauna and treatment room where even the most frazzled can feel their cares melt away.

Treatments on offer from healing hands include nourishing facials, stone therapy and deep tissue massage, using the premier cru of wellness brands Caudalie. There is also an outdoor jacuzzi for good measure, and you can book exclusive use of the spa suite or perhaps treat yourself to a nourishing body wrap or tub and scrub.

If you are worn out by your own life and need a restorative change of scene, I can think of few places more suited than The Eastbury. The recently refurbished 26-bedroom country house hotel is the winner of the “best value experience” in the prestigious Conde Nast 2022 awards for Excellence.

Sherborne – the ancient capital of Dorset – is a sleepy market town with many local gardens (Stourhead, Minterne, Tintinhill), fly fishing, hot air ballooning, Sherborne Castle and Abbey. The area is surrounded by National Trust and English Heritage Sites and is a great base from which to explore the Dorset coast including Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, West Bay and Brownsea Island (a drive away of less than 45 minutes).

The five Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites are beautifully appointed, snuggly warm and cosy, thanks to their underfloor heating. Each one has its own entrance and tri-folding rear doors so you can enjoy the private terrace and gaze at the stars, alongside the fire pit. These get-away suites are nestled in the award-winning gardens of the 17th century stone period property, where the outdoor seating, croquet, badminton, table tennis and large chess set add to the quirky charm of this luxury getaway. The newly refurbished Eastbury Cottage is has three generous bedrooms, if you’re looking for a group stay.

There are some dog-friendly rooms with comfy canine beds, bowls, treats, a squeaky dog toy and even a welcome letter from the owner’s chihuahua Monty. Each beautiful room offers a walks guide so that you can venture out to make the most of the local scenery, including Badbury Rings, Glastonbury Tor and the River Yeo.

Whatever your stress levels, a stay promises to top up your mojo levels and leave you feeling pampered, refreshed and ready to face the world anew. Aaaaaaand relax!

Doubles from £206 B&B per night. Eastbury Cottage price based on two people is £625 per night or £4,375 for seven nights. Price based on four people or more is £850 per night or £5,950 for seven nights on a self-catering basis. Includes a private garden, six-seater outdoor table, barbecue and a classic garden hot tub (available from the end of September). Minimum two-night stay. For more info or to book a stay visit theeastburyhotel.co.uk or call 01935 813131.

We have a five-star overnight stay with spa & dinner for two people at The Eastbury to give away! Click here to enter

Bill’s Newbury

Round & About

prize

Photo credit: Milly Fletcher

It’s time to take a fresh look at a familiar face with the grand re-opening of Bill’s in Newbury today (23rd September).

The popular restaurant and bar in Market Place is staying true to its roots but adding a touch of glamour with modern décor, luxurious velvet seating and sparkling chandeliers.

It’s the ideal spot for lunch, after work cocktails or dinner and to celebrate the relaunch they are offering you the chance to win dinner for six people. Anyone booking a table online during the opening week (23rd to 29th September) will automatically be entered into the prize draw.

And for the first two weeks after the relaunch, diners will be asked to vote for their chosen charity – West Berkshire Mencap, Helen & Douglas House and The Samaritans – to support for the next three months. The successful charity will be revealed on 7th October.

The management team in Newbury have been working to build relationships with the local community and the restaurant will be making a 50p contribution for each ‘burger of the week’ sold with the money going to the chosen charity.

Founder of the restaurant chain, which started in Lewes, Sussex in 2000, Bill Collison said: “Good quality food in a welcoming environment has always been at the core of Bill’s. We have loved being in our current spot in Newbury for the past five years and we felt the time was right for a fresh new look for the restaurant.

“We are proud to create restaurants that are full of vibrant colour and vintage trinkets. I believe that the new look transcends all dining times which will only enhance our diners’ experience and showcase our vibrant food and drinks.”

Book online

Book your table online to enter the prize-draw or to find out more head to Bill’s website