Ellen Smith Tours - in conjunction with Jonathan Bennett who is a top 500 player in England - introduce
Join us for a sociable weekend bridge break, with plenty of opportunities to play in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
All sessions are licensed by the English Bridge Union and organised by EBU club director Jonathan Bennett
Results counting towards your NGS and EBU Master Points for those who are EBU members
Jonathan is trained bridge teacher and director from Manchester who started playing bridge with his family when he was a teenager and now primarily plays in London since moving there in 2021. He runs the Finesse Bridge Club in North London which holds regular evening games as well as beginner courses to get more players into the game.
He is ranked in the top 500 players in England and plays regularly in clubs and tournaments across the UK.
Arrive independently at your chosen hotel. Check-in is available from 3pm
At 5pm, there will be a Meet & Greet. Those guests without a partner could use this is an opportunity to find one.
At 6pm, Dinner is served
7-10pm Evening Duplicate – 8 tables, 24 board duplicate with match point scoring
Breakfast at leisure
10am – Swiss Tournament 3, 6 board rounds – 18 boards played in the morning, victory point scoring, after round 1 pairs play other pairs who have a similar score to them
1pm – Lunch
2pm – Swiss Tournament 3, 6 board rounds – the second half of the Swiss Tournament with prizes given out at the end
6pm – Dinner
7.30pm – Evening Teams, 21 boards, each team of 4 will play 3 boards against the other 7 teams. Pairs can team up with other pairs who they have become friendly with, but anyone who doesn’t have another pair can be assigned randomly
Breakfast at leisure
10am – Relaxed morning Duplicate – 21 boards, finish by 1pm
Depart the hotel
For your weekends away, explore the available dates at a selection of hotels across the UK, featuring special programs and offers exclusively for English Bridge Union members:
Marriott Hotel Waltham Abbey offers a strategic location near the M25 motorway, making it easy to explore London and beyond. Guests can enjoy modern meeting spaces and on-site dining showcasing local flavors. Experience spacious rooms with contemporary amenities and scenic views of the countryside, all while being close to historic attractions.
Marriott Waltham Abbey Hotel Bridge Break including:
Dinner, bed & breakfast for two nights
Day Two – Mid Morning and Mid Afternoon refreshments – tea/coffee & biscuits
Day Two – Light Lunch Included
Full use of Leisure Facilities at the Hotel
Complimentary Parking at the hotel
Available Dates:
Friday 12th March 2027
Friday 25th June 2027
Experience a blend of comfort and convenience at Marriott Huntingdon Delta Hotels , ideally situated near the A14 for easy travel. The hotel features modern meeting rooms for professional gatherings and on-site dining with a variety of culinary options. Enjoy spacious guest rooms, a well-equipped fitness center, and nearby walking trails for a refreshing outdoor experience.
Marriott Huntingdon Hotel Bridge Break including:
Dinner, bed & breakfast for two nights
Day Two – Mid Morning and Mid Afternoon refreshments – tea/coffee & biscuits
Day Two – Light Lunch Included
Full use of Leisure Facilities at the Hotel
Complimentary Parking at the hotel
Available Dates:
Friday 9th April 2027
Friday 28th May 2027
Orida Newbury Hotel Bridge Break including:
Dinner, bed & breakfast for two nights
Day Two – Mid Morning and Mid Afternoon refreshments – tea/coffee & biscuits
Day Two – Light Lunch Included
Full use of Leisure Facilities at the Hotel
Complimentary Parking at the hotel
Available Dates:
Friday 5th February 2027
Friday 5th November 2027
The Barn Hotel & Spa Bridge Break including:
Dinner, bed & breakfast for two nights
Day Two – Mid Morning and Mid Afternoon refreshments – tea/coffee & biscuits
Day Two – Light Lunch Included
Full use of Leisure Facilities at the Hotel
Complimentary Parking at the hotel
Available Dates:
Saturday 3rd April 2027
Saturday 1st May 2027
Bridge Break included as detailed above
Dinner, bed & breakfast for two nights
Day Two – Mid Morning and Mid Afternoon refreshments – tea/coffee & biscuits
Day Two – Light Lunch Included
Full use of Leisure Facilities at the Hotel
Complimentary Parking at the hotel
Contact us to organise your private bridge breaks with date & hotels that suit your group. We are dedicated to creating a memorable experience tailored to your preferences and needs, ensuring that your time with us is enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you are looking for a specific date or have a particular hotel in mind, we can assist you in every step of the process.
Email: p.wharton@ellensmith.co.uk
Calls us on 01706 648126
Mon to Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm