Hotel Review
History of Wood Norton:
The Wood Norton Hall dates back to medieval times with its past owners including Edward Holland (the local Liberal MP), the Duc D’Aumale of the Bourbon-Orleans family and the BBC. Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, the BBC bought the site to relocate its broadcasting operations from London in the event of hostilities. When the war was over, Wood Norton became the BBC’s engineering training centre with several purpose-built facilities within the grounds still used for technical training. The remainder of the site was sold and converted into a luxurious hotel.
Location:
The hotel is situated in the Vale of Evesham in rural Worcestershire close to the Cotswolds and 10 miles from Junction 6 of the M5 motorway. For guests arriving by train Great Western Railway operate services from London Paddington to Evesham, a six minute taxi ride away.
Arrival and check-in:
There was a feeling of grandeur as we drove through the gates to enter the Wood Norton estate, its parkland setting extending for 35 acres. There is a drop-off point and disabled parking outside the main entrance with the hotel’s main car park being positioned in a secluded position slightly further away.
The reception area leads off from the entrance hall and contains a wealth of original features with its exquisite wooden panelling and original parquet floors.
As we’d arrived at lunchtime we didn’t expect our room to be ready but were pleasantly surprised to be handed our room key allowing us to settle in and unpack straightaway.
The Rooms:
We’d been booked into a beautiful room on the second floor with views overlooking the gardens. Furnished in neutral shades with an antique bed, armchairs, sofa, dressing table and wall mounted television.
The designer bathroom contained a large walk in shower, a feature fireplace, my favourite Molton Brown toiletries, bathrobes and fluffy, thick towels. Wi-Fi worked well throughout the hotel and our room was perfectly quiet, enabling us to sleep soundly.
The hotel has 50 bedrooms, 20 in the main house and a further 30 in the Pear Tree Mews annexe within the grounds which are more simply furnished but still of a high standard. Below is a photo of one of the hotel’s oak panelled suites which would be perfect to book for a special occasion or celebration.
The staircases and ceilings in the main house feature original wood carvings and are a joy to behold. Walls are adorned with paintings and photographs depicting the history of Wood Norton and these original features together with modern touches creates a perfect combination.
Dining:
We enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch in the hotel’s beautiful wall panelled Fleur De Lys restaurant. Views from its windows overlook the south terrace and countryside beyond.
Breakfast is also served in the Fleur De Lys with a continental buffet selection of freshly squeezed juice, pastries, breads, cheese, meat and cereals. Hot dishes are ordered from the menu and served to the table. These include Full English, Egg Florentine, Avocado on toasted sourdough and Eggs Benedict. Spoilt for choice, we both settled on a full English which were cooked to perfection.
As we were staying at the hotel whilst attending an event, we didn’t have an opportunity to experience dinner in the main restaurant but instead attended a gala dinner in the hotel’s Orangery conference centre.
Catering for large numbers, food can sometimes be quite average but the Wood Norton excelled with beautifully plated dishes and delicious, flavoursome food. The pink mood lighting in the Orangery made it difficult to take photos of the dishes.
The Facilities:
Facilities include a gym in the former BBC recording studios, a games room, cocktail bar and lounges with comfortable fireside chairs. The Orangery is a modern conference centre located in the hotel’s grounds which can cater for up to 120.
The Wood Norton is a sought after wedding venue with excellent indoor facilities and a mix of sweeping lawns and manicured gardens, ideal for outdoor ceremonies.
Out and About:
There are lots of lovely places to visit close by, here are my suggestions:
Evesham – a pretty riverside market town with historic Tudor buildings. Take a stroll through the attractive Abbey Park which leads to the riverside from where you can wander along the banks of the River Avon and relax on a bench whilst watching the boats pass by.
Visit The Almonry which was once home to the Almoner, one of the monks from the Benedictine Abbey that was founded in the town in the 8th century.
Following the closure of the abbey by Henry VIII it became the private home of the last Abbot whilst the rest of the abbey buildings were sold for the quarrying of the stone. The museum contains exhibitions about the Abbey, the Battle of Evesham and horticulture in the area along with a reconstructed Victorian school room. Standard admission £5.
Pershore – Explore the Georgian market town of Pershore located on the banks of the River Avon. Set within the grounds of Abbey Park is a 15th century Norman abbey which was awash with colourful blossom during our visit.
The town also has lots of inviting little shops, cafes and restaurants. An annual Plum Festival draws visitors from far afield as the town is famous for its award winning Pershore plums.
The Fleece Inn, Bretforton – This historic, half timbered medieval building is nestled in the centre of the village. It was originally built in the 15th century and remained in the ownership of the same family until 1977 when the last of the descendants bequeathed it to the National Trust. It remains largely unchanged with its quaint small rooms and beer garden and serves good, reasonably priced food and drink.
Snowshill Manor and Garden – the unconventional home of the eccentric architect and artist Charles Wade. Take a leisurely 15 minute walk from the National Trust visitor centre along woodland paths that lead to the Manor House and its enchanting gardens. Don’t miss the Wolf’s Cave small model village and Priest’s House. Wade dedicated his life to collecting anything and everything after inheriting his family’s sugar estates but never actually lived in the house, just filling it with memorabilia.
Hidcote – one of the best known Arts and Crafts inspired gardens in Britain with its linked garden ‘rooms’ of perfectly trimmed hedges created by the American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston. Explore the maze of narrow pathways awash with colour from its herbaceous borders and discover secret, hidden areas tucked away. Remember to take a look inside the ground floor of the furnished Manor House and its adjacent glasshouses.
Overall:
A stay at the Wood Norton Hotel is a delightful experience with its stunning setting, elegant rooms and dedicated staff all doing their utmost to ensure guests have a memorable and relaxing stay.
Details: The Wood Norton Hotel, Worcester Road, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4YB.
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During our stay we were guests of Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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