Coombe Abbey Hotel

I attended for a work Xmas Party. The hotel Coombe Abbey was reasonably accessible. I struggled to get across the cobbled moat bridge in my self propelled chair. It was very uneven and gaps between cobbles. My castors got stuck so I got out and walked/pushed it. I could not see a bell on the ramp entrance. I did not want to get stuck on the steep ramp waiting. I was not clear how to get in. The main regular entrance has a 15" single step. There was lots of ramps everywhere, and often more than one entrance to rooms. There was really thick pile carpet too which added to my work out. However I could get about fine, it was just tiring 😆 The lift was broken but luckily I had requested a ground floor room. I was told there were accessible rooms on the 1st floor but check the lift is working before you arrive as this is needed to other parts of the hotel. My bed was VERY high so I had to ask for step stool up. But it was not an accessible room and I knew that. I was lucky that I was ambulant and could climb the stairs into the bed, as the lift was out of order to the accessible rooms. However one of my colleagues said that their bed was really low. Every room was unique. As the lift was broken a staff member escorted me thru the maze to exit outside and enter the tea room from outside ramp (instead of inside lift). This was fine as a backup. The Xmas dinner was so delicious. The breakfast buffet was equally yummy. Good quality food products. I think electric chairs or a hand bike would be easier. Some places had tight turning circles for a scooter. Some door ways were only just big enough for my self propelled chair, but it was a maze with more than one entrance. I was there for Xmas dinner so did not explore in full. The staff were lovely and welcoming and took my requests in their stride. The staff were opening doors for me without asking. When I went in direction of breakfast buffet, I didn't need to ask for help, a guy appeared and asked if I needed help. It just made things easier to not keep asking. I would call to find out about the accessible rooms to make sure lift is working. They said you can get dropped off at front door to avoid cobbles. It's quite uneven paving for those with walking difficulties and big. The blue badge parking is a distance away so a drop off by someone who can then park up would work better. I would take reception number so you can call when outside to open the ramp door. There was at least one disabled toilet. It was not the biggest and I could not turn and I had to reverse out. The ladies general toilet was upstairs so I continually had to wait to use it as staff and other guests used it all night as it was nearer. It was a lovely medieval venue which made it all worth it. I treated it as an adventure and to focus on the positives. It was a tiring venue but such a beautiful and interesting venue. It was once in a lifetime type of venue. One night was enough for me as it was physically tiring but worth it.

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.

This is a treat, a very interesting visit to an historical hotel, with afternoon tea, and a view only from hotel grounds of the wonderful gardens built by Capability Brown, to see the gardens you will need to go out of hotel grounds and walk up to Coombe visitor centre, it’s not far, but worthy of any explorer. OUR HISTORY LESSON FOR YOU. The history of this ancient abbey is very interesting reading telling us that the land of this area in 1066 was once owned by an Anglo-Saxon man, named Harding, until it was captured by King William 1st during 1086 , when the doomsday book had been written, then the grounds became known as the Manor of Smitham, which had 720 acres of land and woodland. 84 years later, the history of Coombe Abbey really begins, when the land was given by a Richard de Camville, of Didleton castle, to Cistercian monks, who then sent out a party of monks to the land, and while they lived at that time in wooden houses, they set about building a monastery, guided by one “Martin” who would become the first Abbot of the new Abbey, which opened in 1150, and became known as the Abbey of Cumbe. The small lovely part of a section of the Cloisters you see today, were built in 1509. At this time, sheep farming was the main occupation of the area, but following years of bad weather and cold winters which ruined the harvest seasons and resulted in 7 years of hardship for the people, and although the monks gained a reputation of giving generously to the poor, the wool trade suffered badly for many years. The monks held the Abbey up until 1539, until the dissolution of the monasteries, when the Abbey and its land were surrendered to Dr John London, who played a large role in the work of helping King Henry 8th dispose many monasteries around the country, sent out to do so by Oliver Cromwell. The Abbey soon came into the hands of King Henry 8th. In 1581 Sir John Harington, bought Coombe Abbey, and using much of the old ruins around the estate, built a new house for himself, which now includes much of the original structures we see today. His family is said to have owned much of estates in Rutland during the 1500’s, and this families wealth helped him to become a member of parliament for Rutland in 1571. He was the keeper of Kenilworth castle from 1588 to 1590. Then in July 1603 he was made guardian of King James 1st daughter, Princess Elizabeth, who lived at Coombe Abbey for five years. During her time here she had an aviary built, and kept a small farm area for miniature breeds of cattle and sheep. In 1605, Guy Fawkes planned to kidnap the Princess Elizabeth, who was still living here. Everyone knows of the gunpowder plot and 5th of November, but what about Elizabeth ? Guy Fawkes and others intended to kill the king and all male heirs, and place the kidnapped princess as a puppet queen and reintroduce the catholic faith to England. The plot of course failed. But the high cost of now looking after young Elizabeth almost ruined John Harington, so in thanks he was given the licence to mint the first copper farthings. Time passed by, and a Sir William Craven (1548-1618) an English merchant Taylor, became Lord Mayor of London in 1610, and he became one of the richest men of his day. He married Elizabeth Whitmore in 1597, and they had five children. He died in 1618 and his will was openly read in court on July 29th 1618, leaving his wealth to his wife Elizabeth, who became a very wealthy businesswoman. He was buried at St Andrew Undershaft on 11th August 1618. Following his death his wife Elizabeth continued to run her husbands affairs, the wool trade he had built up, and his money-lending business. She invested her money in buying land, which included Coombe Abbey when she bought the estate for £36000.00 in 1622. Elizabeth Craven died in 1624, and today (bedroom 137 in the hotel is named “Lady Craven” and is decorated in traditional furnishings of her days ) a fascinating bedroom to stay in. Her son William 1st Earl of Craven, inherited her fortune, and over the years the family line made considerable changes to the Abbey. In 1634 William gained a licence from King Charles 1st to enclose 650 acres of the land in Coombe to turn it into a parkland, and it is thought to be how Coombe country park was created. A West wing was added in 1677, and during the Craven families charge of Coombe Abbey, they set about developing the grounds of the estate. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GROUNDS IN PART TWO. Many other alterations took place now over the forthcoming years, and with the help and direction of a William Nesfield (1835-1888) an English architect, parts of the North wing and East wing were pulled down and rebuilt around 1862-1865 and integrated a gothic design. He is considered one of the most original of the Victorian architects, and in his honour one of the hotels bedrooms has been named “The Nesfield” which has a king size bed with canopy, a raised window seating area, and a spiral staircase that takes you up to a double-ended bath with a walk in shower and steam room, and this is furnished in reds, golds, and soft browns, and the room takes in two floor levels with plenty of room to unwind and enjoy your historical break. Coombe Abbey remained in the Craven family for almost 300 years, up into 1921. When the last of the Craven family who owned the estate, Lord Craven, died in 1921, the countess decided to sell the estate, and a builder named John Grey bought the house and grounds in 1923. He paid £38.000 and immediately set about adding his own designs to the house, and demolished much of the house that William Winde, a godson of one of the Lord Cravens had built during 1680’s, and then reduced the roof-line further in the 1920’s , while also demolishing most of William Nesfield Victorian gothic part of the abbey. He also sold off 218 acres of woodland and parkland to a syndicate of 8 local businessmen. During 1934 discussions took place between Coventry corporation, Rugby council, and Warwickshire county council to see if one day they could buy the Abbey and parkland and use it as a public open space. Plans now moved ahead with the Abbey, for in 1938, a plan was put in place by Coventry corporation for a 21 year option to buy the Abbey if it became available. The present owner at that time though now leased the Abbey to General Electric company (GEC) as their training centre in 1952. Things moved on though as in 1958 the corporation bought parts of the estate, Coombe pool and woodland. Just two years later the Abbey gained a Grade 1 listed building, and other buildings received Grade 11 listings. During 1964, the GEC company terminated their lease and moved training facilities nearby, and right away Coventry council bought the Abbey and grounds of 150 acres for £35.000. This just left the Deer park to be bought later on, and in 1974 the last 88 acres of the Deer park and woodlands were finally bought, and later on this new part would be converted into the visitor centre and open grassland where special events could be held, and it opened in 1993. The Abbey now went through a period of alterations, and would be redeveloped as part of a “No Ordinary Hotel “ group, and on February 17th 1995 the new Coombe Abbey Hotel was opened, which at first had 63 bedrooms, the Cloisters restaurant, Chapter house Bar, a private dining room and conference centre, but alterations continued and in 1999, 20 more bedrooms in the East wing were added. During 2004 Coventry council entered a landlord / tenant agreement with Nn Ordinar Hotel group. However, expansions continued, and in 2009 they opened a further 40 bedrooms, before deciding to buy out the hotels £6.5 million pound bank dept in 2013, and became the hotels mortgage provider, giving another £370.000 to modify the hotel yet again. All our history of Coombe Abbey Hotel May now allow you to enjoy visiting this medieval Abbey full of confidence that you will have an exciting and interesting visit, and hopefully a short break in one of its historical rooms, while wandering through its open green parkland. So with our notes and review below, step back in time to an interesting historical trip for our recommended visit to Coombe Abbey Hotel. and grounds. REMEMBER, ITS FREE ENTRY TO VISITOR CENTRE, THE GARDENS, AND HOTEL. JUST PAY YOUR CAR PARK TICKET AS YOU DEPART, just £2.50 in 2022. ================================================================= OUR REVIEW Just on the outskirts of Coventry, off the A36, we arrived at the gate and driveway for Coombe Abbey (photo 1) a wide open green landscaped area, and drove on ahead to the second car park area, signed for Hotel use (photo 2) We parked up and collected our parking ticket from the machine, and pushed the wheelchair on a level path towards the Hotel (photo 3) and crossed the Moat to the delightful garden display (photo 4) and over to our right we could see the entrance for reception (photo 5). It has a level doorway to get into hotel and straight ahead for the reception desk (photo 6) dark and imposing, but welcoming. The main way towards hotels facilities lay ahead, with toilets over to the right, but here begins the tour that a disabled chair user has to take, because the main passage for public to use to see hotel is along a corridor which has a step to get up, no good for disabled, so we had to follow receptionist as she led us over to the left (photo 7) and along a red carpeted passage with no doubt historical figure headlining the passage (photo 8). We then went through the push door ahead, your carer will be needed to help you, then doubling back on ourselves we reached the corridor at its other end from the reception desk (9) where an able bodied visitor may sit and wait to be called forward for their afternoon tea call. From here you may go out into the garden area (photo 10) a delightful place to sit and enjoy the fresh air as you slowly sip your chosen cool and pleasant drink, and overlook the hotel that awaits your return one day to enjoy an overnight stay next time. Opposite stands the garden restaurant, with the only door that a disabled person can use to get into the restaurant itself, (photo 11) and having booked afternoon tea, You enter a truly lovely well appointed conservatory restaurant (photo 12) where the tables have just been laid ready for guest to enter with you to enjoy the rest of the day (photo 13) and the last table is laid ready to call us all forward (14) Afternoon tea is a treat we all love, and today we have decided to try a savoury afternoon tea, they call it the Monks afternoon tea, (photo 14) with a warm tasty cheese scone freshly baked a few minutes ago, with a small selection of cheese, fruit and relish, very nice. (Photo 15). All other guests seem to have chosen the sweet afternoon tea, and it looked delightful, perhaps that will be our choice next time ? Just inside lies the bar, with enough room for the wheelchair to stand while we had tea, and then sat here for our drinks to arrive (photo 16). Departing the restaurant after our very enjoyable visit, we moved throughout the hotels attractive and historical rooms to find the disabled toilet (photo 17) which turned out to be basic, but very clean, with a grab rail just in case, small but decent enough with room for chair inside if needed (photo 18) and then passing under the alcove and it’s old furnishings (photo 19) we prepared to continue our visit to Coombe Abbey Hotel. YOU CAN READ THIS PART TWO ON OUR NEXT REVIEW. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Well worth a visit, it’s old, it’s charming, they have done it in keeping with the age of the building, very nicely done. All it’s furnishings and everything made it look authentic. Afternoon tea was very nice, well served in delightful settings. We do highly recommend visiting, any difficulty with getting around will not inconvenience you, so give it a try.