Dumbleton Hall reopens following two-year refurb project

A historic country house hotel in the North Cotswolds has reopened under new ownership following a two-year restoration project. 

Dumbleton Hall, a Grade II* listed building built in 1830, sits within a 16-acre estate featuring a lake and walled gardens. The estate is located near Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, with direct access to local walking routes including the Winchcombe Way and the Cotswold Way.

The redesigned hotel includes 34 individually styled bedrooms and suites. The interiors feature Neoclassical cornicing, antique furnishings, and William Morris prints, referencing the property’s history.

Historically, the hall served as a destination for figures such as Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and the Mitford sisters. It also housed the Women’s Land Army during the Second World War before its conversion into a hotel.

The property features several communal spaces, including the Drawing Room, the Library Bar, and the Pheasant Lounge, which contain original log-burning fireplaces. The grounds have been landscaped with manicured parterres, topiary, a walled kitchen garden, and orchards.

The hotel dining options are led by executive chef Dean Westcar. The main restaurant, Cedar 1905, serves traditional British cuisine using local produce, estate-sourced game, and fresh fish.

A second restaurant, The Orangerie, is scheduled to open in August. The venue will feature an open kitchen and serve a fine-dining tasting menu.

Proprietor Paul Vezolles said: “Dumbleton Hall has been carefully restored to embody the charm of quintessential English elegance. Guests are invited to step back into the golden age of the manor house and become part of its unfolding story. 

“We hope they feel inspired by the hall’s rich heritage while enjoying exceptional Cotswolds cuisine and the beauty of the surrounding countryside.”