An elegant rural residence

Woodhall Spa Manor is a prestigious historic country property in a prime village location overlooking the famous Hotchkin and Bracken Golf Courses.

Approached along a tree-lined road, this superb classic period manor house, which overlooks two well-known golf courses in Woodhall Spa, is set in picturesque gardens within a wooded environment and leafy grounds of three acres.

Once the home of the Hotchkin family from the early 1800s to 1965, this splendid house dates back to the Georgian period and is predominantly from the Edwardian era.

It features 12 stylish bedrooms and seven elegant reception rooms offering the sophisticated ambience of a bygone era, plus a self-contained apartment on the second floor with four further bedrooms.

Owners Richard and Jasmine Platt, who moved here in 2013, describe the property as: “paradise found – a haven of peace and tranquillity”.

“The first time we visited Woodhall Spa we were immediately attracted to this elegant and charming village, which is known as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the county,” says Richard.

“We went to view the property and drove along the long estate road, flanked by the serried ranks of linden trees, passing massive horse chestnuts, beeches and high rhododendrons, heavy with their mass of purple and pink blossoms.

“When we caught our first magical glimpse of the manor, the imposing grandeur of the whole building presented itself; a rather special place to call home!”

Since moving in, the couple have lovingly restored and carefully renovated this home to a high standard, transforming it into an exclusive award-winning events and weddings venue.

“It took over a year to create the changes to the semi-derelict property that had been empty for five years, plus remodelling the shabby, overgrown grounds.

“Quite apart from the more obvious things like plumbing, wiring, gas pipes and drains, we had a lot of fun and challenges in choosing furniture that reflected a mix of classic design and modern practicality. Then there was all the repointing of the brickwork; that alone took three men three weeks!

“During the refurbishment, we were extremely careful in retaining the existing original features such as fluted brass curtain poles with decorative chasing and adding appropriate fittings such as the much-admired gold, cast iron radiators and the numerous large crystal chandeliers.

“Although the property offers masses of space, it’s very homely too.

“Winters are lovely here. Even if it’s cold and snowy outside, the fantastic radiators keep the manor so toasty and then of course, there’s the amazing open fire in the hall which gives the place such a warm, snug and homely atmosphere – especially at Christmas time.”

Hospitality venue
With its understated late Georgian elegance and classical English and French décor, this manor house has been transformed into a successful events venue, hosting many weddings and celebrations over the years.

Guests and visitors are enchanted by the tasteful décor throughout, including high ceilings, light bright rooms, large sash windows, sweeping staircase, mahogany doors, arches, chandeliers, open fireplaces and wood panelling, together with sweeping gardens and private woodland.

“The business model was to allow couples to create and build their very own exclusive and unique dream wedding by individualising every element such as catering, drinks and staff in order for them to have exactly what they wanted at a price to match their budget, all set in the grand surroundings of a historic manor house. We refurbished the manor and grounds from 2013 to 2014 and have been doing events ever since.

“Our lasting memories of living here will be refurbishing a wonderful historic old building, giving it a new lease of life and creating a business from scratch that quickly became successful and enabled scores of couples to build their dream wedding by doing things entirely the way they wanted. We have got a lot of satisfaction by starting this new venture and seeing it succeed.”

Glorious gardens
The three acres of well-tended grounds with extensive lawns and mature trees are a haven for wildlife including rabbits, squirrels and deer. There is also an enchanting sunken garden with a formal fishpond and a white pavilion, as well as a “secret” meandering woodland walk, all beautifully maintained with the help of Rob, “our amazing groundsman”.

“Remodelling the grounds was a question of working with a sizeable amount of lawn and very mature woodland in about equal measure. We cut a secret meandering path through the woodland which leads you to the honeysuckle hideaway, a little area directly overlooking the 10th tee of the Bracken Golf Course. It’s the perfect place to catch the last rays of the setting sun whilst enjoying the sweeping views into the distance down the 10th and 18th fairways.”

Richard says rejuvenating the sunken garden was a real pleasure too. Now, the semi-wild area is a peaceful place to go and relax, being surrounded by a high canopy of silver birches, beeches, oaks, ash and yew trees.

“You can just sit inside the pavilion and watch the lively fish and the trickling fountain, with birdsong all around. It’s been an absolute hit with everyone who has seen it and, whilst it’s hosted many wedding ceremonies, it has also been the perfect alfresco setting for many joyful family drinks parties.

“The west terrace is another one of our favourite places for outdoor entertaining. In the summer months, the sun sets late over the golf course and the front of the manor and terrace are bathed in a yellow glow, whilst the range of Narnia-like outdoor post lights illuminate the grounds long after the sun has set.

“This is an absolute nature-lover’s paradise too. We enjoy marvelling at such an abundance of wonderful wildlife; from muntjac deer to hares openly grazing on the front lawn, to brimstones, peacocks, orange tips and red admiral butterflies fluttering around the buddleia, to the myriad dragon and damsel flies dancing in the sky, to the countless birds such as pheasants, partridge, mallards, owls, woodpeckers and jays that nest in the grounds.

“Also, being in a conservation area, surrounded by two golf courses, the outlook will always be kept looking stunning and no one will ever be building houses that block these views.”

Idyllic location
Richard and Jasmine, who ran a bookshop in London before moving to Woodhall Spa, say they found the quiet leafy village was the charming antithesis of bustling city life, with “friendly locals, old-fashioned values and masses of things to do and see like the Kinema in the Woods, Jubilee Park with its open-air heated pool, plus the great selection of shops and restaurants on the Broadway”.

With this unique property offering so much flexibility, both as a home and a business, Richard points out that there is plenty of scope for the new owners.

“It would definitely suit someone who wants to develop a lifestyle hospitality business and live on site, like we have done; either as a turn-key weddings/hotel business, health club/spa, or maybe a company that needs a regional headquarters or a members’ country club. 

“There’s masses of space here and the deeds provide for several different uses both private and commercial.

“We will certainly miss all the happy events we’ve hosted and the wonderful people we have met over the past 11 years, but we’re looking forward to winding down on the south coast. Life by the sea appeals, especially long beach walks and the bass fishing!”

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