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Britain's first teddy bear hotel opens in Hampshire

10:06am Thursday 1st May 2008

comment Comments (38)   Have your say »

Photograph of the Author By Julian Robinson »

LIFE's no picnic for teddy bears these days.

There's the rising cost of honey, the popularity of Teletubbies and other such TV characters - not to mention the stresses and strains from years of cuddling.

But for all those beleaguered bears tired of languishing at the back of the wardrobe, help is at hand thanks to a bizarre holiday first in Hampshire.

Britain's only exclusive getaway destination for teddies has been launched in Beaulieu in the New Forest.

The Bartie Bristle Hotel and Spa offers some of the luxury pampering us humans can only dream of - from scented steam baths to the finest Champagne.

And at £80 a stay, owners can expect the very best for their cherished toys.

Click here to watch the video

The wacky concept was dreamed up by Julie Tatchell who runs the Bear It In Mind collectable shop in Beaulieu High Street.

She said: "Our vision is to create an environment where today's over-stretched urban teddy can escape for a few days to recharge the batteries in surroundings of unashamed luxury.

"At the Bartie Bristle Hotel, we go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to restore every bear to the bright-eyed good looks and shiny coat of its youth."

The price - based on single or double occupancy - includes a pot of honey on arrival, trips to the village pond and a donkey ride. Optional extras include "bear-tox" treatment and limb repairs.

Just an hour and a half from Paddington, the resort is based in the heart of the New Forest - renowned as a centre of excellence for Poohsticks.

After two or three days reclining at the Bartie Bristle Hotel and Spa, every guest returns home with photos and gifts.

The hotel's bear expert, Amanda Middleditch - who once created a teddy look-alike for TV personality Russell Brand - says the holiday is money well spent.

"I think it's good value," she said.

"The bears go home with all their souvenirs and pictures. People really value their toys and so there is definitely a market out there."

The shop is preparing itself for the first annual bear festival, which is due to take place at Beaulieu Village Hall on June 29.

And Julie is hopeful her idea will prove a hit with visitors.

She said: "It's not something we thought of just like that. The idea was born out of needing somewhere for the bears to go while they were being repaired.

"In the end I think the bears go back feeling special and that they have been rewarded for their faithfulness to their owners."

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Your Say YourEcho

hulla, baloo says...
10:21am Thu 1 May 08

Give me strength.
Is this really news or an advert?
Are people really sad enough to spend money on sending a furry toy on a holiday?
Then given toys and souvenirs.
What next?
A case for discrimination if non teddy bears are turned away.

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Alan Partridge, Southampton says...
10:57am Thu 1 May 08

This Country.

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Disgusted, Waterside, says...
11:18am Thu 1 May 08

How pathetic!! There are millions of starving children in the world whose lives would be entriched if they received a small proportion of the £80!!!

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Brian, Soton says...
12:09pm Thu 1 May 08

Iam going to open a Lap Dancing Club for the teddies, What has our society come too

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Lynn Edwards, Totton says...
12:13pm Thu 1 May 08

IT'S MAY 1ST NOT APRIL 1ST!!

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CyberWarrior, so'ton says...
12:14pm Thu 1 May 08

Further proof, as if we need it, that there are far too many people with far too much money in this country. £80 just about covers our food shopping bill for the week! If I had £80 to give away I'd give it to an animal shelter to help to pay for care and shelter for a REAL animal - not a toy one!

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sailor sam, portsmouth says...
12:23pm Thu 1 May 08

Denzil was a Teddy Boy many years ago, before he went bald.
Is there a reduced rate for geriatrics?

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Essruu, Soton says...
12:24pm Thu 1 May 08

I think it is a good idea and I will be using the hotel for my bear. I take my bear everywhere and have him in my minicab whilst working.

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Mr Bean, on holiday says...
1:10pm Thu 1 May 08

I wouldn't dream of taking a holiday without my teddy or even worse sending him away by himself. What ever will they think of next!

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JB Soton, Gosport says...
1:31pm Thu 1 May 08

Some people have got more money than sense!
The 'Bartie' hotel certainly are laughing all the way to the bank!
Idiots.

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JB Soton, Gosport says...
1:35pm Thu 1 May 08

Sorry, anyone who would use think about using this facility is an idiot!
Still a 'fool and his money'

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Bear Lover, Hythe says...
2:29pm Thu 1 May 08

Sounds like a wonderful idea - I'm booking myself in asap. Your readers are a humourless bunch aren't they?

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Mackenzie, 2k8 says...
2:45pm Thu 1 May 08

I fink dis is amazin init? U no im sendin all ma bears here wid all ma money I fink dis is an excellent treat 4 dem init? All u bear haters go away! Leave da bears at peace. Wot av they eva done 2 u? You make me sick

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Gay Saint, Soton says...
2:46pm Thu 1 May 08

I understand St David and Lifelongsaint are looking at a takeover bid for the hotel after decding that buying a football club was too much hassle

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Jeanne, Southampton says...
3:50pm Thu 1 May 08

I think it's meant to be a joke, because surely the bears will need their owners with them.n Hope they have the necessary pet passports and also that the hotel has paid the going rate for advertising in the Echo. Basically, all a bit sad, really!

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Mandy, Southampton says...
4:10pm Thu 1 May 08

I think it's a great idea!

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Stu Romsey Saint, says...
4:34pm Thu 1 May 08

I love my teddy so much.

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Nikki, Southampton says...
5:20pm Thu 1 May 08

WHAT????????
Get a life!!!

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Sean West, Southampton says...
7:06pm Thu 1 May 08

To be honest, I dont see why all of you are complaining about this, I think its a brilliant idea and i am most certainly spending the money to send my teddy there, Snuffles. I'm worried that he might a "new bear" when he returns though -.-

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Justine Duthaler, Southampton says...
7:11pm Thu 1 May 08

I agree with Sean West, above.

He seems to have exactly the right idea, he must be such an amazing fella ;)

i want him :)

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Peter Bestwike, Southampton says...
7:21pm Thu 1 May 08

I believe that it is unfair that teddy bears can have a hotel, yet the disabled don't?

Being disabled i think that having a seperate travel lodge for the handicapped, even though it is believed to be known as "Segregation" i believe that it is a better business enterprise than a hotel for teddy's

Plus..
i bet that the teddy is just thrown in a room and not pampered at all... come on! How are you going to find out whether or not you're getting your money's worth????

BEAR'S CAN'T COMMUNICATE!!!

Safe all the ha ndic apped man dem!

So16!!!

Yeee

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sooey, totton says...
7:54pm Thu 1 May 08

Or... you could take teddy on holiday with you and donate that £80 to the PDSA, blue cross, 2nd chance rescue, Hillside or many other worthy recipients of your money. I am just sat here shaking my head at this one, first for the barefaced nerve of the woman behind the idea, and secondly for anyone gullible enough to actually pay for this 'facility'. Just think, that £80 could save the life of a much loved family pet of a low income household if you donated it to the pdsa, instead of inflating the caribbean holiday fund of the teddy business owner. Not that I begrudge anyone a nice holiday but I'm just making a point here!

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Bear Lover, Hythe says...
8:05pm Thu 1 May 08

Oh come on, stop being so daft, you're not being forced to take your bear there. If you don't like the idea, save your money, spend it on a pet or something else. Some of us love our teddies and want them repaired when they're broken or worn out with too much hugging. What's wrong with that? And to get a nice photo of them with a New Forest pony as well as being fixed is a lovely idea.

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sooey, totton says...
8:42pm Thu 1 May 08

Theres nothing wrong with wanting your much loved toy repaired, but £80 is way too much. Not wanting to diss your enterprise Bear Lover, just find it a little overpriced shall we say!

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Martin M, Southampton says...
10:06pm Thu 1 May 08

What a wonderful idea. Life is all too serious. A little bit of escapism from the pressures of everyday living. My Ted can't wait to go on holiday:)

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Michelle, Netley Abbey says...
11:07am Fri 2 May 08

Peter Bestwike wrote:
I believe that it is unfair that teddy bears can have a hotel, yet the disabled don\'t? Being disabled i think that having a seperate travel lodge for the handicapped, even though it is believed to be known as \"Segregation\" i believe that it is a better business enterprise than a hotel for teddy\'s Plus.. i bet that the teddy is just thrown in a room and not pampered at all... come on! How are you going to find out whether or not you\'re getting your money\'s worth???? BEAR\'S CAN\'T COMMUNICATE!!! Safe all the ha ndic apped man dem! So16!!! Yeee
For some people, teddy bears can hold a lot of memories especially if you have had that bear since you were a kid - if you have the money to spend to patch them up and refresh them then why not?!

As for the comment about disabled people not having a hotel - What about Vitalise?!?!


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Joe, Happy Land says...
2:32pm Fri 2 May 08

The idea is meant to be a laugh, cheer up and stop being so miserable. If you care about the world so much, stop wasting your time commenting on internet news and go volunteer in a charity shop or something.

Kind regards,

J

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Shiny, London says...
6:38pm Fri 2 May 08

Awesome! I love this idea. It's a bit qwerky and fun. I can't understand anyone who grumbles on about this, it's nothing to do with world poverty etc, it's a way to restore a beloved teddy and have a laugh! Lighten up!

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alig, says...
9:14am Sat 3 May 08

The price - based on single or double occupancy - includes a pot of honey on arrival, trips to the village pond and a donkey ride. Optional extras include "bear-tox" treatment and limb repairs.

I wouldnt mind it it included repairing ted but it says its an optional extra


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N. Poulet, says...
1:48pm Sun 4 May 08

Hi Julie Tatchell,

What a grand idea yo have had. I have search high and low for someone who cares and loves teddies to repair or give an opinion on what can be done to help my bear.

Could you confirm your Teddies festival on the 29th June 2008 as I will come from London.

Kind regards.

Nicky.

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Nicole Poulet, London SW16 2XN says...
1:50pm Sun 4 May 08

Hi Julie Tatchell,

What a grand idea yo have had. I have search high and low for someone who cares and loves teddies to repair or give an opinion on what can be done to help my bear.

Could you confirm your Teddies festival on the 29th June 2008 as I will come from London.

Kind regards.

Nicky.

Report this post »

Julie Tatchell, Beaulieu says...
8:35pm Sun 4 May 08

Nicole Poulet wrote:
Hi Julie Tatchell, What a grand idea yo have had. I have search high and low for someone who cares and loves teddies to repair or give an opinion on what can be done to help my bear. Could you confirm your Teddies festival on the 29th June 2008 as I will come from London. Kind regards. Nicky.
Hi Nicky, thanks for your feedback - nice to get a few positives! The New Forest Bear Festival is on Sunday 29th June as you said. Please look at www.thenewforest.co.
uk for more details. Opens 10am.
Thanks, Julie

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Nikola Bailey, Bishopstoke Eastleigh Hampshire says...
10:54am Mon 5 May 08

Well this did make me laugh, cheered me up no need on a wet bank holiday, what will be next??? A gym for the Bears whilst they are visiting. Sounds like a good idea ha ha.

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Carole Doyle, West Midlands says...
2:15pm Tue 6 May 08

Why are these people so angry, I think this is hilarious, I love teddies and am 45 years old, dont they get it!!! You take your bears with you dummies!!!! While you are off enjoying the surrounding beauty of the contryside your teddy gets fixed. What a wonderful idea, my husband and I want to animate our bears and all of their antics during the day....they have their own planes for goodness sake and its just a bit of fun in these times of robbery, killings, muggings and all the hate an evil that is going on in the world today - the people who have given negative comments are the ones that need to take a look at their lives and LIGHTEN UP......bring on the bears, let the bears rule the world

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Tontybear, London says...
7:42pm Thu 8 May 08

This is great !

I was looking foe a romantic weekend away with my life-beartner Sheraton to follow or civil bear-nertership ceremony

* Now if only I could get my paws on my 'owners' credit card I'd make a booking !

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Woof72, London says...
3:50pm Sat 10 May 08

I agree and as the owner of Sheraton can i just say that he now looking at me in a pleading way to let him go with you tonty and have a wild wild weekend on the lash with all you can eat honey !!!

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Darren Bear, Southampton, Hampshire says...
8:43pm Tue 13 May 08

Even us celebrity fundraising bears need a bit of rest and relaxation.

Myself and owner Jane will definitely be paying a visit to the hotel in the not too distant future...

A beary good idea :)

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lynnrish, yorkshire says...
3:10pm Thu 22 May 08

I agree that it's a good, fun idea but £80 NOT INCLUDING REPAIRS is taking it out of the realm of fun for many of us low-paid workers.

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