Overview

Coombe Abbey has a lot to offer, and we suggest you just take your time and wander around the gardens and hotel itself, there is such a lot to see if you just slowly take it all in. This part two is a little easier for a disabled person, so please join our trip. PART TWO REVIEW During 1677 the Craven family were in charge of the abbey, and the family set about developing the gardens and grounds of the estate. First of all they daringly removed the original magnificent Elizabethian gardens already established, and in 1771 asked Lancelot Brown, who lived 1715-1783, the now famous landscape architect to design the gardens for them. And so he dammed up Smitepool, and thus the main Serpentine lake and Top pool were created, and they remain the focal point of the gardens down to this day. Lancelot Brown gained the nickname of “Capability” because he would always tell his clients that their gardens had “Capability” for improvement. One of the bedrooms in the hotel, situated in the Park Priory, is the “ Capabilty Brown grand feature bedroom” and is decorated in wonderful colours of gold, green, deep reds and amber, to help highlight the plush furnishings and ornate accessories. The room is smallish, but just the place for a cosy break to be able to enjoy Coombe Abbey. OUR REVIEW On this trip we want to see what as much of the gardens in the hotel grounds as we can (photo 1) and we drove up towards the house as we could see quite a bit of colour on display and this gave far more appeal than just plain shrubs that many gardens seem to have. As you arrive along the long dead straight driveway the grass verges and old trees certainly makes the approach very interesting, (2) and must take a great effort by he gardeners to maintain, so well done to them. The first thing you must do as going over the bridge, if you can, is get up out of the chair and look over the wall at the moat that partially surrounds the hall, and even though there is hardly any colour today, the moat has been well maintained, an appeal of its own (photo 3) For now, we still need to go towards reception area, and turning left, we need to follow the corridors around towards garden tea room, and go out towards the gardens ahead (photo 4) and head along the path in the centre of the gardens (5) and if you head straight on towards the far end (photo 6) you will end up along the far end of the Abbey (photo 7) and now, look over the well kept hedge if you can or go to the corner by a gate, which is locked, and you will have a great view over Capabilities garden (photo 8). And by a gate in the right corner, again locked, you have a wonderful view over the well kept grounds and the paths that lead the way to any sort of exciting area you would fancy seeing if you possibly could. Sadly for us, the only way we could hope to see the park itself would be to go out of hotels lobby, and take the walk to the Coombe visitor centre and then join the walk to the main Serpentine lake, but for two older senior citizens, that’s just to much today, so we would be satisfied with the views we so delightfully enjoyed overlooking the hedges. Right, it’s time to head back to the restaurant, and take a soft drink, or just continue to the exit door alongside garden restaurant, where some are still finishing off their afternoon tea, and why not, it was lovely, and going round the bend as we followed the red carpet, and admired all sorts of items on display (photo 9) while trying hard not to get lost again, we found a most delightful looking corridor with intricate carvings overhead (photo 10) and a doorway that looks as if it’s going to be a Bar, and how beautiful it looked (photo 11) only to be told it only opens in the evening for pre-dinner drinks for the restaurant, which we could see lay ahead of us under that carved ceiling. We have no photo of the restaurant for you, it looked to plain and quiet frankly unappealing, so just moved on. A passage led us along the red carpet again, thank goodness it’s wide enough to allow our wheelchair to pass along without knocking over one of those beautiful vases that line the wall (photo 12) and we respectfully passed the tomb of what may have been one of the old monks that died here many many years ago. Leading us on (photo 13) we were certainly tempted to rest a while in those comfortable looking armchairs (14) and simply admire our surroundings, but then that other area looked just as comfortable (15) but time was calling us on, and thankfully we passed the lovely wooden carved staircase that we had no use of today, (16) but for those staying overnight, they would have to make the effort and climb up to bed, but instead we headed for the Pay station in that delightful corner (photo 17) to pay our parking ticket cost, only to find it is no longer in use, but just next door we gratefully found a receptionist who willingly took our card payment and issued us with another ticket that will lift up the barrier in the car park to let us out and along the driveway ahead (photo 18) that will take us home, after a truly interesting visit to this historical and lovely hotel. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS This part two was just as interesting as part one, definitely worth a visit, and on a nice sunny day, even the views we saw were a joy to look at. We found the nickname of Capability Brown interesting, never knew that. We strongly recommend you making the effort one day to go and see Coombe Abbey hotel, you will not be disappointed.

Transport & Parking

When arriving towards hotel, take the second car park on the right signed for hotel. as this gives a great view of the grounds as you approach hotel. On this part of our details for you, we want to concentrate a little bit more on the garden areas, so this car park is easier for you. Pick up your parking ticket at the machine by carpark, and either pay now, or if machine is out of order, then take ticket with you to reception desk in hotel and pay them.

Access

As shown in part one, when you enter hotel, just before reception desk, turn left and walk along corridors that will take you around hotel and out into gardens. There are no real signs to follow, but if you get lost, it will make the trip more worthy, as you will see other areas you might miss by going the right way, which is shown for You on part one.

Toilets

There is a plain basic disabled toilet to the left of reception area, it has grab rails to help, but it’s not very big in there, we left wheelchair by the door.

Staff

We did not really need staff on this part, but the once we met on part one were ok, and tried to help as best they could.

Photos