The Grove Hotel

“The Lounges” offers a delightful, relaxing bar and restaurant with an easy atmosphere, recently refurbished to offer a sense of class which is ideal as you sit in very comfortable table and chairs overlooking the terrace and formal gardens. It is here you may enjoy coffee, teas, with very nice light dishes of sandwiches, soups, and salads, with an amazing selection of deserts that will satisfy you beyond dreams. (See our photos 13/16 below) These are served 10.00am until 8.30pm. During mid day you may wish to join them for afternoon tea, served 1.00pm until 4.00. (Read our interesting “Afternoon Tea Etiquette” advice on photo 18) Later on in the afternoon, enjoy a classic Cocktail, or your favourite tipple, or join us as we sipped a delightful Lemoncillo. ================================ Queen Elizabeth 1st founded the mansion in the 16th century, but by the 18th century it was in the hands of the Earls of Clarendon, and remained with the family line until 1996. (DO READ OUR OTHER REVIEW FOR HISTORICAL NOTES ABOUT THE GROVE) During the time of the 1st Earl, the famous artist George Stubbs came here, who was famous for his horse portraits. Then Captain Cook visited, and presented a future Earl with a small sapling of a newly discovered Black walnut tree, which in 2024 still stands proudly near the rear terrace for the house. Although still in the care of the Earls of Clarendon by 1996 The estate was in a poor state, until it was bought by Ralph Trustees ltd, and the architect Jeremy Blake was appointed to convert and expand The Grove into a luxury hotel which opened in 2003. The main house is a red brick Palladian style house, flanked by a neoclassical Doric pilaster. (Photo 1) You approach The Grove after a delightful drive across the estate and then passing by a golf course over to the south-east of the house, which is a 18-hole course. This was used in 2016 which gave the then president of USA Barack Obama and the British Pm. David Cameron the chance to play a game here, in which Obama won. Three years later in 2019, the British Masters golf competition was played here, and famously won by Tigar Woods, now in his later years when winning. It was also in 2019 that Donald Trump attended a conference here. Footballers have also stayed here, as in 2020, when the England team stayed overnight having then completed their training at St George’s Park’ ( SEE OUR REVIEW OF ST GEORGES on Euan’s guide) before their semi final match against Denmark, which England won, before playing Italy in the final at Wembley stadium. Opposite the main entrance, a long single line of parking spaces await which has two disabled bays available, but of course you can park in any empty space as well. This is ideal, as it is then just a short push to reach the front entrance. (Photo 2) If all these spaces are taken, then it’s only a short drive to the attractively laid out main car park. (Photo 3) If you need the help of the valet to drive your car to the parking area, then please pull into the circular driveway leading to the hotels entrance, (and of course a small thank you would be appreciated) (Photo 4) The main entry has revolving doors, or if needed the valet will open the side door for easy entry for wheelchair users. (Photo 5) You enter into a beautiful foyer and reception desk, where you will be warmly welcomed and guided to wherever you are visiting today. The hotel has undergone a three year refurbishment, which has really brought the hotel into the 21st century, with the rooms and suites now looking modern and in good taste. (Photo 6) We are visiting today as part of our long weekend 62nd anniversary. (Photo 7) The bar and restaurant at The Grove is known as “The Lounges” Its here you may enjoy your early coffee break, and a little later, you may select from their light lunches, with soups, sandwiches and salads on offer, followed by a delightful selection of various deserts (TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PHOTOS 13 to 17) (Photo 8) The bar offers a wide selection of your favourite tipples, and classic cocktails, as you sit in comfort while overlooking the terrace gardens. (Photo 9) Today, we have our first ever taste of the Italian liqueur, Lemoncello. Verdict ? Very nice, a light before dinner drink with a wonderful taste of lemons. Then of course you could have another after dinner as well. (Photo 10) During the spring and summer months, the grounds look at their best, but you must admit, they dont look bad even in November. There are lots of evergreen shrubs and trees all around you, and include the famous Black Walnut tree that was presented to the Earls by Captain Cook. (Photo 11) While you relax over your drink, may we tell you a little about this Black Walnut tree ? The tree is native to eastern-north America, introduced into Europe in 1629. In Britain, it does best on the warmer regions of the south, so The Grove at Watford is an ideal position for the tree, and of course, the house offers protection from the cold and winds. It likes to be grown on fertile lowland soils where there is plenty of light. It is a lovely ornamental tree, growing up to about 120 feet, (40m) and looking at the leaves they are individual leaflets of oval pointed tooth edged like, (just a little bit like wide fern leaves.) During May into June the pale catkin like flowers droop from the branches, then later on the round green fruit turn brownish-green, slightly lighter than your normal walnut. The leaves will then turn a buttery yellow colour before the leaves drop off this deciduous tree, but even in winter its dark brown trunk offers colour. (Photo 12) Now it’s time for a light lunch, (but bear in mind we cannot join you as we have just enjoyed a fantastic buffet lunch in The Glasshouse ( SO DO READ OUR REVIEW FOR THE GLASSHOUSE) The restaurant takes in two levels, it is modern throughout and delightfully decorated with mute pleasant colours. Lots of glass, airy and plenty of seating. There are points you may sit in your own wheelchair if you prefer. Unfortunately you cannot get up to the higher level but that does not matter at all. (Photo 13) The level area offers a relaxing and a lovely setting for your lunch today. (Photo 14/16 Take a look at deserts and tell me it doesn’t bothers you. I am diabetic, but cannot resist just a little of these goodies, and a little now again I can cope with, so go for it, enjoy. ========================= Perhaps you may enjoy an Afternoon tea instead, which is served between 1.00pm until 4.00pm. BUT YOU MUST BOOK THIS AT LEAST 2 days in advance. Your delights are served on silver tiers with dainty finger sandwiches, fresh scones with jam and cream. ( Don’t forget it’s jam first, then lashings of cream on top ) (Photo 17) You are served in a quiet area of the restaurant, with pleasant surroundings, and beautifully presented. Having partnered up with KEW GARDENS, the ingredients are hand picked from Jemma’s kitchen garden, or selected uk suppliers. 10% of your tea experience is now donated to the Kew Garden project to help them protect the plants and fungi. (Photo 18) May we offer you a few pointers as to how to enjoy your afternoon tea, with these selected etiquette tips, and you can read these directly off our photo 18. ======================= We promise you a delightful visit to The Grove, and long may it live in your memory as it will in ours after celebrating 62 years together.

May we suggest you enter the satnav directions we offer, as this will take you directly to The Grove, as other satnav directions will take you to an entrance you cannot use, so follow these directions. “THE GROVE, CHANDLERS CROSS, WD17 3NL” After departing Crowne Plaza in Beaconsfield, we enjoyed a very nice 30 minute drive through the lovely countryside of the Chilterns, and with autumn colours all around us it is a delightful drive. The Grove is famous for its buffet lunch, as seen on TV, expensive yes, but an experience all should enjoy if possible. (READ OUR NEXT REVIEW FOR THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE) This large 5 star luxury hotel and estate has an interesting history, with evidence of it having been inhabited during the Bronze Age, when a Neolithic polished stone axe was discovered, and remains of a pot found in a pit. Then traces of ancient oval and circular dwellings were found. But they also found traces of a Saxon settlement, rare in Hertfordshire, including eight sunken-floor buildings of this time period, and it is understood that during the 10th century the estate was a Royal Manor. Having been a medieval Manor House dating back to the early 1200’s, when the estate was known as La Grava, it seems it was at that time an Alien Priory of the order of Fontevrault. Then La Grava came to be the property of the Brittewell family, and by 1294-5 John and wife Sarah Brittewell conveyed, or transferred the property by a legal process, such as a deed or a contract, to Algeria de Brittewell and her two sisters, Alice and Ellen. A will found of a “Cassio” showed that in 1324-5 it was in the hands of a Thomas de Harpesfield and his wife Joan, when the Abbot of St Albans allowed them to become free from rent due to the Abbey. An inscription can be seen in the church close bye that showed by 1400 the house and estate belonged to John Hendon, a man of some means, and it was then that the estate and house was known as “The Grove” Over the next years, the Grove came into the hands of many families, so that by 1703 it was the property of Sir William Buck, and his son Sir Charles Buck, who had the house completely rebuilt. It was sold in 1753 to the Hon.Thomas Villiers who lived 1709-1786 the second son of the 2nd Earl of Jersey. In 1748 he became a Baron of the kingdom of Prussia, and on the 30th March 1752 he married the heiress of The Hyde family, Lady Charlotte Capell. His architect, Matthew Brettingham built a seven bay south facing front with two wings, between 1754-1756 for the Hon Matthew Brettingham, who became the first Earl of Clarendon in 1776. He served as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Grove then underwent renovations in 1780, with the Brettingham wing and a family chapel being taken down and a two storey mansion was now built. During a visit by Captain Cook, he presented a black walnut tree to the Earl, and today it towers over the terrace , beside the lounges. The artist George Stubbs visited and painted his famous horse portraits here. A walled garden with a kitchen garden was built to grow their own fresh food for the house, this being divided into four sections, with greenhouses running the full length of the wall, here they grew the peaches, grapes, nectarines and figs. (PHOTOS 7 and 8) During 1870-75 a third storey was added to the house, and a grand ground floor area was created to help the Earl display his large collection of old masters. Having now been built as a English country house, it served as the family seat of the Earls of Clarendon, the Villiers family, from 1776 right up until 1920, when they sold the house and estate. By the mid to late 19th century, regular visitors included Queen Victoria, the Prime minister Lord Palmerston, and King Edward 7th visited in 1907 a year before the king died. By 1920, death duties placed financial burdens on many estates, and the Villiers family decided to sell the Grove, and left to live in Hampstead. However, they retained ownership for some time. after the sale it was used for many projects, becoming a gardening school, and a riding School. It was used for tennis, and One of the pupils miss Kat Stammers became known as a very good player and represented Britain in the Wightman cup against America. The house became a girls boarding school, and during the war years it was a training centre for British transport and then British rail. ====================================================================== LATER AND MORE MODERN HISTORY CAN BE READ ON OUR THIRD REVIEW FOR HOTEL. ====================================================================== Using our photos will help you see more of the estate and house. PHOTO ONE to FOUR The entrance to the estate leads you through high towers and invites you to come and see, then a very long pleasant drive across open meadowland with far views leads to the traffic lights at the very nice bridge over the canal before passing ponds that line the golf course that will guide you to the main house in the distance. PHOTOS FIVE AND SIX Disabled may park in the bays opposite the main mansion entrance, or continue ahead to the main car park, or may continue through that car park to reach the woodland car park. Our photo shows this carpark as it allows visitors to take a lovely stroll through the woods while their children may run from one set of metal bells set it to various designs of metal work, and may hit these bells with their sticks to hear them ring. PHOTOS SEVEN AND EIGHT Running around the walls for the old walled gardens you can walk to the entrance for the walled garden, through the arched gate, but we were rather disappointed with what can be seen and no way could a disabled person in a chair manage to get around inside to see it all. PHOTO NINE The main and attractively laid out main carpark. Photo TEN, and ELEVEN, TWELVE The round driveway for the main entrance to the hotel if you need help to unload suitcases or get the wheelchair out of the boot of your car, and require the help of the very willing valet that will welcome you and offer support by driving your car to the carpark. Of course, a small thank you would be appreciated by them. Hotels entrance pleasant enough with tall evergreen and deciduous overlooking the green that stands by the main door. PHOTOS THIRTEEN TO SEVENTEEN If you found car parking spaces and brought the wheelchair up to the main doors, your carer may enter through the main glass doors, or the valet will open the side door for easier entry for the wheelchair, and will offer to push the chair to whichever area you wish to go and see. Today we will be taken on a very long walk through various corridors by the valet who will take us for the buffet lunch at THE GLASSHOUSE. (PLEASE READ OUR NEXT REVIEW FOR “THE GLASSHOUSE” AND THE BUFFET LUNCH)

This weekend in November we are here to celebrate our 62nd anniversary, and have selected the world famous buffet in THE GLASSHOUSE restaurant at The Grove. This was an absolute delight, the Glasshouse is a lovely restaurant, the food was very good, and you are well looked after by attentive staff. May we offer you a little help on HOW TO ENJOY A BUFFET MEAL. ====================================================== The day before, drink plenty of water to expand your stomach. DO NOT DO THIS ON DAY YOU ARE EATING YOUR BUFFET THOUGH. AND DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF, THIS IS IMPORTANT, SO DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST It will not give you any more room in the stomach anyway. RELAX WITH A LIGHT EASY DRINK BEFOREHAND, such as a light bodied dry white wine, A lemoncello would help as well. AVOID SUGARY DRINKS like sodas and pop. BEFORE YOU EVEN START TO EAT, walk around the different stations, and study the menu and what’s on offer. THEN PRIORITIZE, set your sights on dishes you would like to try. Go for those dishes you have not tried before, AND START WITH THESE. Only eat what you want to try first LEAVE OTHER FOODS YOU KNOW ABOUT UNTIL LATER WHEN YOU HAVE ROOM LEFT. Try the light meals first, such as FISH, go for grilled or steamed food. KEEP YOUR PORTIONS SMALL, you will then get a chance to try everything. Be selective, eat the novelty dishes. SKIP THE CROISSANTS, SCRAMBLED EGG, BACON, FRIED RICE. these will only fill you up. PASS THE SALADS, AND ANY ROLLS. FORGET THE STARCHY FOODS FOR NOW. just eat fewer portions, this way you can try more. And take small bites at a time. Now eat slowly, chew when you can. Take a break, just sit there for a while, have a chat. LIMIT FIZZY AND ALCOHOL UNTIL AFTER FINISHING YOUR BUFFET. When eating your deserts, only have small portions at a time. You can go back for more. At the end of your buffet, just relax awhile, just sit and talk. Then drink water, tea, or light wines. Coffee will just bloat you now, FORGET IT. THEN enjoy an after-dinner drink, if you have any room left. ====================================================================== Our photos will show you a little of what’s available at The Grove, there are a number of small stations with a wide selection of different food to try, and most are prepared for you individually, such as the noodle dishes. For these, pick a bowl, and fill with food you would like cooked with your choice of noodles, simply hand the bowl to the chef, tell them what noodles you would like, and stand aside until he has cooked your food for you. Hot and delicious this way. At each station, select what you would like to try, and only use this station, eat, enjoy, then go to another station for more variety. Oh, you have such a lot to look forward to over the next couple of hours, so eat slowly. Now, it’s desert time, and the choice at The Grove is amazing, you could just go on picking delightful deserts for hours on end, finishing off with ice creams and fresh fruit, it really is an experience you will not forget. The best buffet we have tried, and we recommend you trying out THE GROVE.