Foxhill Manor, the Grade II listed Cotswolds manor house on the privately owned Farncombe Estate, will open as an exclusive eight-bedroom Private House Hotel on 10 March 2015.
The new opening further cements Farncombe’s growth. It follows the September 2012 appointment of industry expert Andrew Grahame as Farncombe Chief Executive and the re-opening of Dormy House in September 2013, following a multi-million pound renovation.
Chris Ward, Commercial Director at Farncombe says:
Significant milestone
“The opening of Foxhill Manor in this capacity is another significant milestone for Farncombe. For generations the manor house has been a family home and it was important for us, and the owning family, that the renovation works created a sophisticated and elegant space but with the opportunity to create an atmosphere that is both relaxing and homely. We want Foxhill Manor to be a very private place where guests feel they can unwind and not worry about set dining times.” He adds “At Farncombe we pride ourselves on our staff and the service they deliver. The vital ingredient is character and this will be particularly key at Foxhill Manor”.
Foxhill Manor was built in 1909 by local Cotswolds craftsmen and designed by Yorkshire-born architect Joseph Lancaster Ball, one of the leading lights of the Arts & Crafts movement. Trevillion Interiors and designer Hannah Lohan have worked with the team to keep the original features – the sweeping staircase, high ceilings, Cotswold mullions and spacious rooms – but create a new space for guests to enjoy. The eight suites have a spaciousness that few hotels can offer and there is a large drawing room, a dining room and a media room. There are no set meal times, dining is run on a ‘whatever, whenever’ policy. A daily four course menu is prepared by the Chef but this is not compulsory, there are a selection of house specials or if guests are craving a particular dish the team will do their best to prepare it.
About Foxhill Manor
Foxhill Manor is a stunning grade II listed Cotswold manor house on the private 400-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway. It was built in 1909 by local Cotswolds craftsmen and designed by Yorkshire-born architect Joseph Lancaster Ball, one of the leading lights of the Arts & Crafts movement. Ball designed the Manor to have a central East-West facing body (which has given it the fantastic sunset terrace it enjoys today).
Initially named as Furzehill, the Manor became known as Foxhill in its early life. From the 1930s onwards, Foxhill was the family home of Henry Maudslay DFC, a brave RAC Squadron Leader who was involved in the planning and deployment of the Bouncing Bomb for the famed ‘Dam Busters’ operation in May 1943. Maudslay reached his target, but his aircraft was damaged in the bombing and tragically, shot down on the return journey.
Maudslays’ family remained at Foxhill until 1954 and the lost hero’s surviving nieces confirm that little has changed at the Manor since their wartime childhood here – on the outside at least. The manor is still surrounded by beautiful private ground and enjoys spectacular views across the Vale of Evesham towards the Malverns and Black Mountains of Wales.
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