DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF ARDENCOTE
About Us
Experience Our Past
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 Destination 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 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.
The Huckerby family ran Ardencote as a truly independent, family-run Hotel until 2025, and the hotel thrived against all the odds in an environment increasingly dominated by homogenous Hotel chains. The family developed the hotel and it now proudly boasts 110 four star bedrooms, 10 Conference and Banqueting Suites and an award winning, rosetted Restaurant. The award-winning Destination Spa features Thermal Facilities and Relaxation Lounges, as well as an Outdoor Pool and Hot Tub. Also within The Spa at Ardencote is a top of the range Leisure Club and Gym, as well as Tennis and Squash Courts and Indoor Pool. The Spa at Ardencote has your wellbeing at the centre of everything.
The Lodge
As well as the Brasserie Bar and Lounge, Ardencote offers The Lodge Restaurant a waterside venue for hosting parties and events with views across the hotel lake and stunning grounds.
