Ardencote

A very popular and busy little spa and pool visit.

The gardens and small park was laid out in 1876, a few years later than when the house was built in 1863, by the garden designer Markham Nesfield, and has about 16.8 hectares, and it is indeed a beautiful area that includes a large Lake. It was designed to have a kitchen garden, orchard, conservatory, lily pond. Box maze, and the lovely artificial lake. Markham Nesfield was born in April 1841 and followed his father as a garden designer, and gained a fine reputation for himself, becoming involved in laying out the Italian garden at Regents Park, London. He also designed gardens at Dodington Place, Kent and at Glanusk Park, Powys. It seems he died on 16th June 1874 following an accident of some sort.

Ardencote, The Cumsey, Lye Green Road, Claverdon, Warwick, CV35 8LT www.hotel@ardencote.com A Manchester wool merchant, Thomas Phillips built the house in 1863 for his daughter Mary as a dowry. It then became owned by many until 1980, with the idea of then turning the house into a hotel, but it was not until 1996 when a Mr Huckerby took over and got the hotel under way. This seems to be a very popular hotel and spa, and ideal if you enjoy using spa facilities, as the hotel and grounds are geared towards helping the health club more than being a hotel, with wonderful gardens to look over, a very attractive looking golf course, lake side walks and views, a busy Spa and health club, good wholesome food offered in the bar and restaurant, and always busy as it’s so popular a place. Comfort is not on the agenda however, the bar and restaurant are there to provide your needs, but you will not find comfortable lounge areas anywhere, but forget that, it is still a great place to go and see, and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea with them, which can be taken in the restaurant or enjoy outdoors with many a cosy seating area to tempt you. We feel it is such a nice place that we have given three reviews for you to see Review 337. Ardencote hotel Review 338. Ardencote Spa and Lake Review 339. Ardencote terrace and gardens ================================================================= Let’s take you around the hotel first of all. There are of course rooms you can book to stay here and enjoy being pampered in the spa and health club, but we will concentrate on what you can enjoy on a day visit. When arriving, enter the sat NAV details, CV35 8LT but we just say this, STAY ON THE MAIN ROAD through Claverdon and you will eventually arrive at the Ardencote, and it is then well signed for you to enter the grounds (photo 1) Follow the driveway passing golf course until you arrive at the hotel and follow signs for reception (photo 2) and at the large car park you will find disabled bays just before the hotel entrance (photo 3). Just allow your carer to push you around the corner ahead on the road to take you those few yards round to the side of the hotel (Photo 4) or drive round to the main entrance and have the driver drop you off by the ramp (photo 5) before they go back to park the car. It’s quite easy to push you up the ramp, then you will find a doorway that’s needs to be pulled open (photo 6) and you arrive at reception desk where you will be warmly welcomed. Just ask them how to reach the bar, and you will be kindly pointed to your left to head for the corner passage by the staircase (photo 7). Follow the passage half way (photo 8) to then enter the bar area (photo 9) This is just a plain bar, where you order your drinks (photo 10) and they will bring your order to you at the rather plain wooden table and chairs (photo 11) which after a while we found a bit uncomfortable, but it’s cosy in there, and warm. Opposite the bar is the restaurant entrance (photo 12) which is a very pleasant place, lots of seating, and wheelchairs can be accommodated. It has a well maintained and clean wooden type floor (photo 13) so it’s easy to take chairs around, or your chair can be left just outside entrance (photo 14) and you can walk in yourself if you can manage. The lunch menu is light but a good choice available, and it will be brought to you (photo 15) and all comments were that the food was excellent (photo 16) All in all, it’s a nice clean well kept hotel, in need of a little care in places but nothing to disturb us, but it is geared for activity stays and visits rather than a hotel stay, and it is always busy as a popular place, we have never seen so many white robed people moving around or eating, a good atmosphere. All seemed contented. DO READ OUR OTHER TWO REVIEWS FOR AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE ESTATE. ================================================================== On the website we have created (photo 20) so as to offer you details of the other 330 places in support of Euans Guide, do take a look at some of these places, you may find them interesting, they are all provided with full details to help a disabled person.