Overview

The Grange was built in 1900 by Joseph Hinks, a lamp manufacturer from Birmingham, and with his wife Francis, had seven children. Joseph and his father James ran their lamp business from 91 Great Hampton street. During 1900 he leased land, and at a rather high cost, built Chesford Grange, and the family lived here until 1908. The new owner, Lord Algeron Malcolm Arthur Percy, who later became an MP. bought the Grange for his daughter Katherine Percy, who in 1904 had married Josceline Reginald Heber-Percy. (Interesting, we have just reviewed the village of Hodnet in Shropshire for you all, which belonged to another part of the Heber-Percy family line ) The second son of the 6th Duke of Northumberland, Lord Algeron Percy had married lady Victoria Edgecombe in 1880, and he remained an MP until 1887, when he decided to make his home at Guys Cliffe his permanent home. His only son, also a Algeron Percy, who would inherit Guys Cliffe, was killed at the battle of Jutland in 1916, and later, his daughter Katherine, moved from Chesford Grange, so as to be able to look after her aged parents. Following the death of her father, Katherine inherited Guys Cliffe in 1933. So by late 1924 Henry Pratt became the owner of Chesford Grange, and the family lived here until 1938. Later that year, the Hames family lived here, and with lots of hard work, following a period of time that the house had been left empty and uninhabited, the family lived in part of the Grange, while successfully developing other areas as a hotel and restaurant. During the Second World War, the department of war took over the house. It later became a borstal institute, before becoming a hotel again, and it is known that by 1956 a mr Richardson was running the hotel. The Grange then changed hands a number of times over the next few years, until recently bought over by the Qhotels group. OUR REVIEW. (THE PHOTOS WE SHOW MAKE THE HOTEL LOOK BETTER THAN IT ACTUALLY IS ) We were very disappointed to see that Qhotels group have done next to nothing to improve the exterior areas of this Grange, it’s just as we last reviewed it, and in need of a make over, and that applies also to the interior areas, it’s much the same old, same old. Certainly nothing seems to have been done to improve things for disabled, it is still hard work to get around to certain areas of the hotel. What was once a lovely old building, but now badly in need of repair work and painting, it’s such a shame to see the place in the state it is in (photo 1) but photo makes it look much better than it is, close inspection of photo will show you what we mean. There are three disabled bays available (photo 2) by the front entrance, and a brick ramp leads to the front door, a push and pull entry (3) on the level now. A wide reception area which is quite light and airy (4) and a warm welcome from staff. Round the corner, a plain well stocked bar (5) with an entry that leads into a cafe like casual eating area. (6). We sat in a small lounge area with room for wheelchair (7) and next to this a corridor that leads to public toilets (8) but no disabled toilet seen. These are plain usual ordinary toilets (9). A nice stone fireplace with a few more comfortable seating opposite the bar (10). Leads into a very plain Lino tiled flooring were you can enjoy a light lunch or hot drinks, while over looking the terrace and gardens (11). For disabled to get to terrace, leave the bar and go down the ramp (photo 12) and then around a number of tight corners on the ramp, which will lead you into the restaurant (13) which is very plain, unappealing (14). A doorway ahead leads to the terrace (15) with Rattan seating, very pleasant area to sit while enjoying the sun trap (16). To reach the lovely shaded garden there are steps (17) and impossible for chairs. To get back into restaurant, there are unkempt steps (18) or retrace your steps through restaurant and follow ramp and it’s turns. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS It’s a disappointing shame that it’s not a looked after property, as it’s a comfortable old place so such a shame to see it neglected.

Transport & Parking

Following a drive through countryside around Warwick, you arrive at the Grange, and entering via a barrier you find the disabled bays in front of you by the hotels entrance. When going to exit hotel, pick up the pass number required to lift barriers from reception desk. It’s free for those who use their facilities.

Access

There are three disabled bays available right outside hotel entrance, with a pathed ramp to get you up into hotel, through automatic doors, and all on the level. The large long hotel has ramps where needed, and a lift is available after a long walk along corridors, some with a slight slope to navigate. You are able to see what the hotel offers, but to get out onto the terrace, you need to be taken along sloping, twisting corridors, which can be a nuisance to turn about in, and go through the main restaurant to reach the door to getbyounoutbonto terrace, there is no other way to do so.

Toilets

We did not find disabled toilets, just public, and these were beside lounge by the bar. They were just plain basic cubicle tiled toilets, no grab rails or pull cord. You will not get chair into cubicles though.

Staff

We have used this hotel quite often when needing a break on our journeys, and always find the staff helpful enough.

Photos