Elcot Park Hotel

Infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Ramada Jarvis Elcot Park Hotel & Resort Newbury
latitude= 51.420675
longitude= -1.430104
map_type= Berkshire
population =
population_density =
metropolitan_borough= West Berkshire
metropolitan_county= Berkshire
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Berkshire
post_town= HUNGERFORD
postcode_district= RG20 8NJ
postcode_area= RG
dial_code= 01488
os_grid_reference= SU397696

The Ramada Jarvis Elcot Park Hotel & Resort Newbury is a four star country hotel belonging to the Ramada Jarvis hotel chain, situated within 16 acres of land in the locality of Elcot near Kintbury, Berkshire.

History [Hotel's "Official History" (edited), available upon request at Reception]

The hotel was built in 1768, possibly for Charles Dundas, a prominent landowner from the neighboring village of Kintbury. Amongst the earliest inhabitants was Anthony Bacon who was a considerable iron master and colliery owner in Wales and southern England. He owned Elcot Park and rented both Donnington Castle and Benham Valence Estate. The success of his exports to Russia and Sweden made him the wealthiest man in Britain according to records held in Wales.

Sale documents are held for 1844, when Elcot Park was sold with 122 acres (in contrast with today's 16). Lady Shelly, mother of the great poet Percy Shelly, moved here with her remaining daughter, having suffered the double tragedy of her husband’s death at Field Place, Sussex and the tragic death by drowning of Percy. The estate was then let for a number of years to various military families until the Shelly family sold their interest in Elcot Park to Sir Richard Sutton Bart in 1899. Sir Richard’s main seat was Benham Valence, and the land attached to Elcot at that time adjoined Benham Valence. Elcot Park was again let for a further 25 years to a prominent JP by the name of Richard Plaskett Thomas. He held substantial tea plantations in India. The land belonging to Elcot Park then became part of the tenancy for Elcot Farmhouse. The main mansion, parkland and outbuildings forming a separate tenancy.

During the early years of the Second World War, a Hampshire family – the Bramley Firths from Silchester became tenants. Towards the end of the war, a Mrs Whitehead had taken the tenancy and it was she who first had the initiative to create a “letting residence”. After a long fight to establish a licensed hotel, she finally gave up the struggle whilst in her late fifties. The property remained empty for some ten years, until in 1967 a Mr Harold Sterne and his wife June took the tenancy with a serious attempt to create a worthy hotel. There was a programme of development that lasted some 18 years. Mr & Mrs Sterne were given the opportunity to purchase the property outright in 1977 and they continued the business until deciding to retire in 1987.

The hotel was purchased by a Mr Katzler and between 1987 and the end of May 1989, the hotel was further extended by the addition of 7 more bedrooms in the Mews Cottages, formerly the private accommodation of Mr Stern. As interest rates rose Mr Katzler decided to sell the property rather than continue his expansion and redevelopment plans. From June 1989 the hotel has been in company ownership. Resort Hotels added a tasteful extension giving the property a further 42 en-suite bedrooms and a Health Club with an indoor swimming pool, spa pool, sauna and mini-gym. The restaurant was redecorated and extended and a new conservatory was built to replace the original one, which had been destroyed in the gales of 1987.

Jarvis Hotels acquired the property in 1994, bedrooms and bathrooms have been refurbished and a full kitchen re-fit has given the hotelthe facility to host large local events. In September 2001 Jarvis joined forces with Ramada Hotels, the arrangement which exists to this day.

Finding the Hotel

Prospective guests seeking the hotel should follow the A4 from Newbury in the direction of Hungerford for roughly four miles, looking out for the Halfway Inn. Three quarters of a mile thereafter one should see the signs for the hotel (to give guests a sporting chance at taking the correct turning there is a generous selection of three signposts indicating the road). Taking the narrow winding road up the hill towards the hotel, one should exact extreme caution at all times. During the ascent guests may catch sight of a wide variety of local animals such as rabbits, deer and game birds (particularly pheasants). Kindly resist the temptation to run over the abovenamed animals, as you will attract a 5% surcharge to your bill per animal slain.

Geography

The hotel is located on a slight hill overlooking the Kennet Valley with views towards Walbury Hill. Around the grounds there are trees, bushes and grass.

FAQ

• Check-in is from 2.00pm onwards.

• Check-out is before 12.00pm.

• Sunday lunch only takes place on the first Sunday of every month, from 1.00 to 4.00pm.

• Car parking is free.

• 24 hour room service is available, however only for items marked "24 hour" on the menu.

Internet

The hotel's website is [http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotel/overview.asp?hotel_id=45]

References