Overview

Spoilt without compromise, the Michelin Star awarded Woven restaurant, is the place to dine. Top class service complements the excellent dining experience of COWORTH PARK, with views over the rose gardens and croquet lawn. Afternoon Tea may be enjoyed out on the terrace, or in the drawing room, a quintessential experience to treasure Or try the alternative restaurant at “The Barn” a popular and attractive new restaurant, situated by adjacent converted stables and cottages, along by the beautiful ponds and gardens of COWORTH. Whichever you choose you will be delighted, this we can promise you, but before you settle down, please join us for PART TWO of our history of COWORTH PARK. =================================================================== We now continue from the year 1832, and the family line of the Arbuthnot have sold COWORTH PARK to William Farmer who was born 15th July 1832, and later married Martha Perkins on 26th January 1864 in England, and they had four children, a son and three daughters. He became the Sheriff of London in 1890, and was knighted in 1891. Sir William Farmer was appointed as High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1895, and three years later in 1898 became Master of the Gardeners company. He is however better known as the chairman of the Australian merchants, Messrs, Farmer and co. Ltd. About 1899 he sold COWORTH PARK to Edward George Villers Stanley, before his wife Martha passed away in 1901, and William lived on another 7 years before he died 8th July 1908 at Peterley Manor, Great Missenden, Berkshire, and buried in St Mary’s parish churchyard, Winkfield, Berkshire. His grave has a cross on it that can be seen here. Today, in his memory, two farmers cottages are named after him on the COWORTH estate. Edward Stanley bought COWORTH PARK when in his early 30,s, having been born 4th April 1865 at St James,s Square, then educated at Wellington College, Berkshire. Interestingly, he lived as a boarder at Stanley House, so named after his grandfather the Earl of Derby. He joined parliament in 1892, becoming Lord of the treasury between 1895 and 1900, then served as Financial Secretary to the war office between 1901 and 1903. During 1908, Following the death of his father, he became the 17th Earl of Derby, and joined the House of Lords. He rejoined Parliament in 1916 as Under Secretary of State of war, then other positions followed, including honorary president of the Rugby Football league. His family line were responsible for the world famous Epsom Derby, created by the 12th Earl of Derby, and Edward Stanley showed great interest in the breeding of horses, and actually, his stables won the Derby on three occasions, 1924, 1933 and again in 1942. (We are pleased to have reviewed The Epsom Derby Racecourse for Euans Guide, although due to the Covid problem at the time, it caused a lot of problems for the staff, and they had to cancel our appointment with them to take us round the enclosures and racetrack just before the 2022 Derby itself, so our review is just of what you can expect at the course as we journeyed around it ourselves, but worth a quick read for you, just in case you manage to go to the course at any time). Lord Stanley had married Lady Alice Maude Olivia Montagu, born on 15th August 1862 at Westminster, and they married at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London, on the 5th January 1889. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. Lady Alice served her friend Queen Alexander as her Lady of the bedchamber from 1901 until 1910, and while the Queen stayed at Windsor, Lady Alice enjoyed entertaining her for tea at COWORTH PARK. Lord Stanley served as East Lancashire Provincial Grand Master of Freemasonry from 1899 until his death on 4th February 1948 aged 82, at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire. Then COWORTH PARK became home to Lady Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby, until her own death at COWORTH PARK on 23rd July 1957, aged Ninety-four, the house having been described as “an ancient building standing in a thickly wooded park” Just a month later the estate was advertised for sale in The Times, and shortly afterwards it was used as a Roman Catholic convent school for a number of years. The next owner was thought by many to be Vivian” White” Lloyd, who died in 1972. Harold Bamberg, a vey successful businessman, then converted the house as use for offices. He was the director of a travel company, later known as Lunn Poly travel, which would become part of Thomson Holidays. The estate was sold in the mid-1980’s to billionaire Willard Gordon Galen Weston. ================================================================== We again pause our history of COWORTH PARK, as we wish to resume the history on our PART THREE for you, taking in the grounds of the estate. ================================================================== Our review COWORTH PARK (photo 19) offers three choices of dining, with the main restaurant being the lovely Woven. You enter from reception area into its bar lounge (photo 20) a delightful area, small and compact, with muted colour schemes, plain and simple lounge chairs that faces the bar itself (photo 21) which offers a fine and crafted cocktail list, and from which you will enter the Wovan restaurant (photo 22). Stepping through the narrow doorway, you face the large wine cabinet (photo 23) filled with expensive and elaborate selection of fine wines, before being taken to your seat (photo 24) many privately screened for privacy, and again in plain simple muted colour schemes which adds to its charm. A corner seating area overlooks the magnificent terraced gardens (photo 25) from which you may step outside and enjoy during the warmer months el Fresco dining if you so wish, or at least an after dinner drink. The beautiful balustrades lead to the garden areas, a truly well laid out area, worth investigating perhaps (photo 26) but certainly well worth your admiring glances (photo 27). Afternoon tea may be taken in the small but lovely room at the cafe end of the gardens, attached to the main hotel itself (photo 28) which received many a praise from those indulging today. Just before the Woven restaurant you will find an attractive staircase and passage (photo 29) guiding you along to the toilets, one of which is an accessible toilet, with lovely grey and white tiles that complement the highly polished stainless bars and modern white furnished bars with grab rails and pull cord (photo 30). You will enjoy the soft cotton hand towels proved in wooden baskets and luxurious hand creams (photo 31) If you are staying overnight, a lift is available close by to take you to your room (photo 32) THE BARN restaurant This offers more of a relaxed feel, with brasserie-style menu, with a roaring fire in its stone fireplace, but no evening dining at the moment. During the afternoon an alternative restaurant is available, a short distance away from the main mansion, which you can be taken to by the staff in their buggy, or you can ride along yourself along the path that leads from the formal garden area, Or by following the main driveway from the mansion and round to the beautiful pond gardens, a walk of around five minutes, but worth the effort. Simply follow The Barn signposts (photo 33) to pass the attractive brown bricked buildings (photo 34) and along to the pond bridge (photo 35) to gaze across at the many swans, ducks and geese that can be found on the estate (photo 36) before crossing the bridge to reach “The Barn” (photo 37). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS The restaurants are delightful, especially the main “ Woven” restaurant. My husband was given a hearty welcome and shown the restaurant by very friendly staff members who encouraged him to join them, but a little to expensive for ourselves, but assured him that the dining experience is really something not to be missed, so maybe one day, who knows. What we liked was the plain simple but lovely deco of each restaurant, afternoon tea would be delightful judging from comments made to him by guests, and The Barn seemed to be very popular with all. We simple suggest you give it a try, but watch the bill.

Transport & Parking

As reviewed on PART ONE, and if dining at “THE BARN RESTAURANT” instead, then parking is still difficult, although you will need to park in “The Barn” car park, a little further along from the main house, and walk to the Barn restaurant, not the best for disabled, as no drop off point here.

Access

To use The Barn restaurant requires a ride of some distance, so not ideal, and very difficult if raining. A buggy is available if needed, but you will need to arrange this at reception desk first of all.

Toilets

SEE part one

Staff

SEE part one

Photos