Overview

The house that first stood here was first built in 1625, then later rebuilt for the homes first occupier Richard Case, the house then known as Stanbrook Hall, but was then bought on behalf of Benedictine nuns in 1838. It was then put in the care of the architect Charles Day, and later managed by sons of Augustus Welby Pugin, and the Gothic Abbey was designed to have a church, cloisters and a tower. It’s set in 26 acres of lawns, gardens, orchard and a lake. It is a beautiful interesting building, very nicely furnished with long tiled corridors in rich colours, all leading towards the church itself. The nuns worshipped in the former church of the Abbey, Callow great hall was then consecrated in 1871. You can see the high vaulted ceiling, and wonderful designs of the stained glass windows as you wander around. The stunning East window depicts “Our lady of consolation protecting Benedictine nuns”. The original floor tiles were created by Minton ltd. The 100 foot Bell tower, with 140 steps, takes you up and overlooks views towards The Malverns with distant views of the river Severn. The last nuns moved out of the Abbey in 2009, and it was sold and turned into a multi- million pound hotel, receiving a makeover to be able to turn it into the hotel. Clarenco became the new owners, buying the building in 2010 and The modern section was built in 2015, as noted on carved inscription above the main entrance. Hand Picked Hotels purchased it as a going concern, with an unknown cost in 2017. The CEO of Clarenco said about the sale, “that they were pleased to have sold the hotel to someone as excited and passionate about the hotel as they have been”. And what a wonderful place it has become over the years, and we feel you will love this hotel as much as we do, so please go and see why it has received so much praise. Remember, our review is to invite you to visit, and enjoy a relaxing drink before or after your visit, or if you would like, then book an overnight stay, as there is so much to see and do around the Abbey itself, or enjoying the 26 acres of land. We arrived at Stanbrook Abbey hotel , this time with the objective of looking at the church, built for the Benedictine nuns who lived here until 2009 (photo 1) The modern new front entrance was built in 2015. We parked in the disabled bay, and went into the entrance, which is on the level (photo 2) with an automatic sliding door. Coffee beckoned us into the George’s Bar (photo 3) where we had our coffee break (Photo 4). Over to our left there is an archway which led us down a very attractive corridor (photo 5). We could then look across the courtyard at the old Abbey buildings ( photo 6). Continuing down the corridor, passing stone carved images of religious scenes (photo 7) before the corridors led us into the church entrance (photo 8). What a wonderful place, wooden furniture, pews, stained glass, a real treat to see how the nuns lived and worshipped (photo 9). This impressed my husband, even though we do not personally have anything to do with churches, but he could not but help admiring the craftsmanship involved in the church (photo 10). Leading from the church, a corridor led us towards the library (photo 11) with a collection of not only religious books, but historical books as well (photo 12). The nuns even had their own printing facilities, and upstairs and in other rooms, thousands of books have been recorded and stored (photo 13). Further along other corridors which now highlighted the approach to the gardens (photo 14) which were just beginning to show off their Autumn glory (photo 15). A paved pathway led us past the formal gardens (photo 16) and along towards the terrace patio (photo 17). Sadly, the weather had changed (photo 18) and rain had set in, so we went up the ramp (photo 19) and collected our car for our return journey, and driving past the Orchard and woolly sheep (photo 19) we made our way home. May we encourage you to read both parts to get a fuller feel for this delightful hotel, it’s full of history, and an amazing place to see, then if you enjoy your visit, and our review pleases you, would you be kind enough to tick the “I like” button for both parts, as we hope others will note your response and will then read the reviews and hopefully go and enjoy the Abbey hotel and all it offers. Thank you for your support to our fellow disabled members of Euans guide. Our final thoughts My husband found it a very fascinating visit and well worth the second visit to this hotel. I would have liked to have spent more time in the interesting old library. If you have the opportunity, we recommend you visit this old and most interesting Abbey.

Transport & Parking

Following along a lovely driveway towards the hotel, passing open pastureland, you arrive at the disabled bays right outside the main entrance into hotel, and it’s all easy and on the level into the reception area.

Access

Access into the entrance is on the level, and you reach the reception desk, but this has steps down into the booking in area of reception, but willing staff came to help us. Just across from reception is the beautifully decorated George’s Bar, and you really must go in and enjoy the views and a welcomed drink, but sadly, there are steps you have to go down to benefit the lounge area. You have a choice now, of sitting by the bar itself, which is on the level before the steps down into bar lounge, or you can go outside again, along to the ramp of the terrace patio, and back across to the doorway, with a pull handle, and get into the main lounge which is now all on the level for you. A bit of a nuisance if it’s raining, but it is such a lovely lounge. If you now want to enjoy looking around the Abbey, or taking afternoon tea, or using the bathroom, you will need to go outside again, across the terrace and up the ramp and back to reception area, where the Abbey and all its holds is yours. Do try to spend some time wandering along many corridors with amazing rooms to see, it’s on the level for you, so have a go, just encourage your carer to keep going, it’s a beautiful Abbey, so do not miss out.

Toilets

The is a disabled toilet just a few feet away from reception, on the level, and we found another along the level towards the church itself. Both are basic, you will perhaps get your chair in them, I personally had to get up and walk into them both, not on same day by the way, so if you can stand and take a few steps you will be ok. They had pull cords and grab rails. If you read both part one and part two, then photos will help you decide if you can use them, or keep crossing your legs. Both toilets were of course very clean and well looked after.

Staff

We have been impressed with the kind support and willing help we received on both of our visits, the coffee they bring to you is hot and enjoyable, the wines are good and cold, and their lunch menu has a lot to offer, the staff care here.

Photos