Hoar Cross Hall

We will continue our history of Hoar Cross Hall hotel from 1871 up to 1989 with this our PART TWO REVIEW. Hugo Francis Meynell and his wife Emily Charlotte Wood had spent 10 years in adding and rebuilding parts of the house which was completed in 1871, but sadly, in May 1871 Hugo died, and this devastated her, as they had only been married for 8 years, and she was now childless. Completed in 1897, a private chapel was built to his memory, at the East end of the estate, the Church of the Holy Angels, at Hoar Cross, and although we have no photos for you, you may visit the chapel. The beautifully carved linenfold panelling resembles folded linen, which holds the gilded alter piece with embroided gold threads, and above, it has a lovely carved ceiling which looks down over stained glass windows. All the 75 staff had to attend chapel in memory of Hugo. The “Long Gallery” was a typical Tudor styled room, and it was 114 feet long (photo 1) that the family used for taking walks when the weather was not to good, with recessed windows as places to rest, and 10 feet high solid oak doors, while the ceiling above is very decorative (photo 2) and so are the white marbled fireplaces. Hugo and wife Emily Meynell had no children, and this Meynell family line came to an end. Emily however, who was to become a very wealthy woman, even at this time of history, was they say, a millionaires twice over, lived on in the hall until 1904. Her brother, Frederick Wood, moved into Hoar Cross Hall with her, and as was common at that time, to keep a family name going, changed his name to Meynell. Now through his wife, Lady Mary Lindsay, this family line eventually became Queen Mary’s line to the throne, and Emily herself, who loved holding large parties, in 1894, hosted King George V and Queen Mary while on their official visit to Leeds. Emily Charlotte Meynell-Ingram died in 1904 at the family home at Temple Newsam House, but her funeral was held at Hoar Cross Hall. Following her death, her nephew Francis Meynell inherited Hoar Cross Hall as well as all the other Ingram estates. The last Meynell family to live at Hoar Cross Hall was in 1952; then it was rented out but remained in the Meynell family For the next 18 years until 1970. It was then bought by William Bickerton-Jones in 1970, who ran a motor racing team, and he had the largest collection of Arms and Armour in the country, and he wanted a home so that he could be able to show the collection to the public. He open up the hall to the public, and offered them Afternoon Tea, and also allowed large events to be held here. His daughter, Viv Wilson, (nee Bickerton-Jones) has kindly written a book about her families time at the hall, entitled “My Dad Bought a Mansion” and it really is an interesting read, we suggest you try to read it if you can get hold of a copy. We personally are now delighted to salute him on his efforts to please the public, and we sat in the”Long Gallery” (photo 3) to enjoy a drink (photo 4) while looking back at the history of this grand Hall. Now we were ready to eat, so “Let’s do Lunch” at the delightful Henry’s restaurant. You need to take rather a long ride to get to it, all on the level, and along nicely decorated corridors anyway, just follow the signs “Henry’s” to arrive at the restaurant (photo 5). We were warmly welcomed (photo 6) at the entrance, and find it to be a pleasant cheerful little place, (photo 7) and enjoyed reading the menu, which offer meals in a bowl fashion (photo 8) which was very nicely presented, fresh, and wholesome. What we like about this hotel in general are the views over the various garden sections (photo 10) and all are well looked after with manicured grounds at a top level (photo 11). We ordered scones to follow (photo 12) and so glad we did, they are handmade by chef and his team, warm, soft and delicious (photo 13). From Henry’s, and a window table, you can see out over the terrace, and a side door right by the bar, led out to terrace, but sadly, high steps await you (photo 14) but from here you can see over the rear of the hall (photo 15) and over towards the many greenhouses (photo 16) in which they grow plants and crops used in the various restaurants. A path passes the shepherds hut and leads over towards the tennis court (17) before you can make your back again towards the main car park (photo 18) and the entrance to this intriguing hotel (photo 20).

When the hall was at its peak, the grounds were well maintained, with a staff of around 28. Trees had been planted opposite the main entrance to protect the north side from the winds. The terraces and gardens on the south side were also we’ll looked after, and hidden amounts the trees were two large ponds, and further into the woods were the greenhouses, and here they grew fruit, veg and herbs for kitchen use, and even a palm house could be found. When Stephen Joyner MBE, the well known millionaire bought the house, with some saying, the hotel had gone downhill and become rather dilapidated, a pale shadow of itself, gardens had become overgrown and unloved. He purchased the Hall in 1989, and invested £8 million pounds, adding a further 70 bedrooms, and within two years they opened a Spa hotel in 1991, that can rival any today, and we offer you our review of the Spa and parts of the grounds in our PART THREE REVIEW, showing how the Spa has been transformed. The old servants quarters were then turned into the leasure facilities, now holding on proudly to its grade 11 listing. He then helped to form “Barons Eden” along with 4 other partners, and recently invested £14 million pounds to renovate the Spa and hotel, to create a hotel we can all be proud to visit. OUR REVIEW It is a beautiful Spa, all the facilities you need, well maintained equipment, very popular, dressing gowns wandering around quite freely to enjoy what ever their choice has been that day. What we did find ourselves that there are many corridors and passages that lead from one area to another (photo 1) it’s not all in one place, but everywhere is so clean and tidy (photo 2) and you have many a choice of how to sit and relax (photo 3). The pool is indeed pleasant, very popular, we had to wait some time to be able to take photos with no one in the shot (photos 4 to 6) and all guests are given fluffy white robes to wear so as to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere throughout (photo 7). A delightful passage (8) took us into the fitness studio (9) with all modern training and keep fit equipment (photos 10 and 11) and again, plenty of seating available (12). The retreat offered barbers and ladies facial treatments, beauty parlour and special occasions hair treatment (photos 13 and 14). If you fancied fresh air, then walks can be taken around the various gardens, such as our walk around the terraces gardens, but you need to get out of the hotel itself via a lift, then out and along the ramps provided (photo 15) and up into the terrace area (16) then just stroll around the huge area provided (17) to help you, there are resting places (18).0 but soon though you will have to consider going home after a truly delightful visit to Hoar Cross Hall and ramps will take you down to you car (19) before you leave along well maintained driveways (20). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SPA AND TERRACE GARDENS What’s not to like, each bit you look at is just so nice and delightful. Not just plastic chairs to sit at, one of the nicest Spas we have seen and if you enjoy your spas then this is for you. We recommend this Spa.

AS THIS IS SUCH A DELIGHTFUL HOTEL, WE ARE GIVING YOU THREE REVIEWS This is really an interesting historical hotel, well worth disabled visiting, once you have been taken up the outside ramp and along and into the hotels disabled entrance (SEE PHOTO’S) it’s reasonably easy to get around, lovely old rooms to look at, fantastic gardens, very friendly staff who care about their hotel, and right away, we recommend this hotel to you. HISTORY (PART ONE, up to 1871 ) It has many interesting and fascinating historical facts and events from its time periods, the land first of all was part of Needwood Forest, and passed on over the years for over 500 years until it came into the hands of the Webb family around 1730’s who bought the land and a house known as The Manor of the Cross. When a house was first built here it was a large house, built for the wealthy Welles family, and at that time it had a moat and draw bridge, but during the 1600 hundreds what was still standing became a second home to the Ingram family from Temple Newsam in Yorkshire By the early 1700’s it was occupied by a widow, Mary Ann Howard, but by 1740 much of the house had been demolished, and later the estate was bought by the Hon. Charles Talbot for £17.000, then eventually it was sold to the wealthy family of Hugo Meynell. In 1782, Hugo married Elizabeth Ingram Shepheard, who was the daughter of Charles Ingram, and they had 6 children, and through this marriage the Meynell family inherited the Ingram estates in Lincolnshire. In 1793, Hugo bought the Hoar Cross estate, and built a house which he named Old Hall, it was about 1/2 mile away from where Hoar Cross Hall would later be built. It was the tradition in those days to name a son after their father, and so their oldest son was also named Hugo Charles, who married Georgiana Pigou in 1819, and they too named their first son, Hugo Francis, who married Emily Charlotte in 1863, and this Hugo, along with his wife Emily built Hoar Cross Hall as their family home. As guests arrived they would enter the estate through an archway which had a lodge on one side, and a gatehouse on the other (photo 1) and then drove along the driveway which led to the house (photo 2). They built it in the impressive style we see today of a Jacobean design, with lofty gables, 48 tall chimneys, mullioned windows, ( See photo 3) and even built two weather vanes with Initials M and I on them, (Meynell and Ingram) and these two symbols you can find in other various items as you wander around this beautiful House. To add appeal to the front of the house, a lawn was laid, (photo 4) and this was well looked after, as guest admired the grounds as they approached the impressive entrance for the hotel (photo 5). Todays reception desk (photo 10 ) leads you into the “Long Gallery” and what is now the Bar lounge (photo 11) which has been converted into a beautiful lounge where a side door (photo 12) takes you into the magnificent “Drawing room” (photo 13) This is a beautiful room, built in an Elizabethian style, with wood panelling and what is called a Wedding cake ceiling. It has two mantelpieces of veined Sienna Marble, which are the original 18th century carved wooden mantelpiece with classical figures and floral designs while the fireplace (photo 14) was brought here from Italy by Emily Meynell. This is a delightful room where you can also enjoy a wonderful Afternoon Tea while you gaze and admire this lovely Drawing room (photo 15). Hugo and Elizabeth Meynell moved into parts of the house long before it was completed, as it took 10 years to build, but Hugo suffered a horse riding accident which caused complications, and he became bed-ridden, while the house then was completed in 1871, but sadly, he died shortly afterwards in May 1871. If you are staying here, you have made a good decision and will enjoy the hotel, it is spotlessly clean throughout, very interesting to wander around, and you even have a Small lift available (photo 19) to get you up to your chosen room (photo 20). NOW PLEASE READ THE OTHER TWO REVIEWS, AS WE CONTINUE WITH THE HISTORY OF THIS FASCINATING HOUSE.