Be transported to a golden age of holiday nostalgia in Devon this summer as the Moorland Garden Hotel prepares to celebrate its eightieth anniversary in true vintage style. From a lavish afternoon tea party to a big band dinner dance, the hotel will be revisiting the halcyon days when its large ballroom and sprung maple strip dance floor played host to countless tea-dances and evening-dress balls, and the likes of President Truman, Rex Harrison and David Niven graced the guest list.

The festivities on Friday 15th August – the eightieth anniversary of the hotel's foundation stone being laid – begin with a vintage afternoon tea. The ballroom will be transformed into a traditional tea room for an early afternoon fashion show of loungewear and high tea.

The evening's entertainment will continue the 1930s and 1940s theme whilst also paying homage to the hotel's special relationship with the Forces and nearby RAF Harrowbeer, which celebrates its 73rd anniversary on the same date. A four-course dinner will be followed by dancing, accompanied by the Dave Hankin Small Big Band.

Afternoon tea at the Moorland Garden HotelOther special touches throughout the year to help guests embrace the romance of a bygone era include seasonal Champagne cocktails, an Agatha Christie inspired decadent afternoon tea and bespoke picnics in the hotel's wildflower meadow (with lashings of ginger beer).

Tickets for the Vintage Afternoon Tea with fashion show cost £28 per person.

Tickets for the Spitfires & Sparkles dinner dance cost £36 per person. (Proceeds from ticket sales along with money raised from a charity auction and raffle will go towards the chosen charities of each of the organisers - the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, the Rotary Club of Roborough, the Rotary Club of Yelverton and the Inner Wheel Club of Roborough - along with the hotel's nominated charity for the year, the Primrose Foundation.)

Rooms cost from £50 per person sharing on a bed and breakfast basis.

For more information and to book visit www.moorlandgardenhotel.co.uk

-ENDS-

NOTE TO EDITORS:

80 years of the Moorland Garden Hotel In July 1934, three fields totalling 12 acres were purchased by five Plymouth business men and one woman, with a view to building The Moorland Links Hotel. The foundation stone was laid on 15th August and the hotel opened for business on 3rd May 1935.

Facilities at the 26-bedroom, luxury family hotel included a heated swimming pool, tennis courts and riding stables.  Various changes have occurred over the years. The swimming pool was closed in 1989 and another 14 rooms were added in 1994. Purchased by business entrepreneurs Brian and Sonia Meaden in 2011 and renamed, the Moorland Garden Hotel has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme to help return it to its former glory.

Seasonal Anniversary Cocktail - Including Rose Champagne, Elderflower Fizz, Hibiscus Floral Fizz and Pomegranate Poinsettia Cocktails.

Anniversary Decadent Afternoon Tea - Published in 1934, Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express depicts a decadent era, which is being emulated for this very special afternoon tea, with a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, fancies and scones with jam and clotted cream.  The tea costs £14.95 per person or £21.95 per person with a glass of Champagne.

Anniversary Hampers in the Wildflower Meadow - From May to September, weather permitting, special anniversary picnics are being served in the Wildflower Meadow.  Guests can book their own private spot and with the help of a map, find their destination and specially prepared hamper waiting to be enjoyed. The picnic hamper costs £45 for two.