Historic Hertfordshire Hotels: The Grove

The original weekend country retreat.

The history of the estate certainly dates back to the late 13th century when a certain John de Britwell conveyed land at �The Manor on the Grove�, although the first notable building to occupy the site is most likely to have been constructed during the reign of Elizabeth I.

However, the real historic significance of The Grove is in its once being the choice destination as a weekend retreat for the elite of Victorian England. Welcomed by the 4th Earl of Clarendon � whose family had acquired the property in 1753 � the likes of Horace Walpole and Lord Palmerston would arrive early on a Saturday, returning to London first thing Monday morning. Even Queen Victoria and Edward VII were regular visitors to where the concept of �a weekend in the country� was almost invented

Avoid the new... The following may not necessarily be linked to famous figures or events, but all offer accommodation in historic surroundings. Click on the links for further tariff and availability information.

Corus Hotel Elstree. BOREHAMWOOD. Only fifteen miles from central London, this oak-framed Tudor mansion offers four-star accommodation. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms

Green Man, The. HARLOW. Benefiting from a quiet village location, The Green Man is a fourteenth century coaching inn offering accommodation in a contemporary block. LateRooms

Hanbury Manor. WARE. An extremely impressive Jacobean country house offering five-star hotel accommodation and a PGA championship golf course. Expedia.co.uk

Harpenden House. HARPENDEN. This attractive Georgian town house has been operating as a hotel since 1970, having previously been a convent and �school for Young Ladies�. Expedia.co.uk

Letchworth Hall Hotel. LETCHWORTH. Dating back to 1625, Letchworth Hall offers 85 guest rooms (including four poster suites) and can even boast its own original Minstrel�s Gallery. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms

Sopwell House. ST. ALBANS. This Georgian country house was once the private residence of Lord Mountbatten. Hotelbook.com | Expedia.co.uk

West Lodge Park. HADLEY WOOD. The existing four-star hotel was built in 1838, replacing a fifteenth century structure sadly destroyed by a fire. LateRooms

Hertfordshire Hotels:
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