DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF ARDENCOTE
About Us
Experience Our Past
Ardencote is owned and managed by a local family and truly is an independent family-run hotel. Ardencote has been tastefully transformed over the past 20 years and now proudly boasts 110 four star bedrooms, 10 conference and banqueting suites and two stunning restaurants. The Leisure Club facilities have been recently updated along with the Ardencote Spa and the 18 hole golf course.
Back to the beginning
Ardencote was originally built in 1863, as the dowry house for Mary the daughter of Thomas Phillips, a wool manufacturer from Manchester. During the late Victorian era, the Phillips family added extensive servants’ quarters and stables to the existing estate. At its peak the family employed 15 servants and livery staff, 25 farm labourers and 6 gardeners. All staff lived within the Ardencote and its estate.
After the 1st World War the Phillips family sold Ardencote to Mr. James Booth. Under Mr. Booth’s ownership Ardencote flourished; at this time the village of Claverdon was barely 50 houses and the entire community of the hamlets of Pinley and Lye Green would have all been employed by the estate. James Booth died in 1937 and his family decided to sell the property.
The Country Club Hotel
Ardencote and the adjoining land of 103 acres was bought by Mr. Tom Brown, an Irish financier who farmed the land until his death in 1980. The estate was then purchased by a consortium headed by a Major Cotteril, with the intention of updating Ardencote to a Country Club based around squash and Leisure facilities. You can still use the original squash courts today, still very much at the heart of the Leisure and Country Club. Unfortunately the Major was unable to raise the finance to complete his vision.
The Countryside Hotel
After several changes in ownership Ardencote was purchased by David Walker in 1991. During his time here he added a 3 acre lake and adjoining fisherman’s lodge. Unfortunately he too ran out of finances and Ardencote changed hands again in 1996 to Mr Huckerby, a local entrepreneur.
Fast forward 25 years, Ardencote is still owned and managed by the Huckerby family- a truly independent, family-run Hotel, thriving against all the odds in an environment increasingly dominated by homogenous Hotel chains. The family has added financial stability and entrepreneurial expertise to the hotel which now proudly boasts 110 four star bedrooms, 10 Conference and Banqueting Suites and an award winning, rosetted Restaurant. The Leisure facilities have been recently updated to include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, squash courts, floodlit tennis courts, cardio-vascular and free weights gyms and a dance studio.
Where we are now
Ardencote in the last five years has opened the Brasserie Bar and Lounge, the 18-hole Golf Course, and has launched the new 5 bubble rated Destination Spa. The Lodge Restaurant is fast becoming a favourite venue for hosting parties and events.
Following the addition of these new facilities and with a bedroom refurbishment programme under way, the next few years are set to be an exciting time for Ardencote.