The historic Stanbrook Abbey Hotel near Worcester has officially launched as part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels collection, with a major push on attracting visitors to the region.

The Grade II listed former abbey, located close to the county town of Worcester at the foot of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, has joined the group of 20 country house hotels and resorts across the UK and the Channel Islands as part of a strategic expansion to boost the Hand Picked presence in the heart of England. 

The official launch of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel into the Hand Picked Hotels collection was marked on 5th July when a celebratory reception was held for special guests in the hotel’s stunning Callow Great Hall, hosted by Chairman and Chief Executive of Hand Picked Hotels, Julia Hands.

Julia Hands, who formed Hand Picked Hotels in 2001 said: “Stanbrook Abbey Hotel has a wonderful setting and a fascinating history which perfectly complements our portfolio of architecturally stunning hotels in relaxed and stylish surroundings. As a collection of individually designed hotels, we take great pride in offering our guests exceptional bedrooms, exquisite food, fine wines and excellent service and Stanbrook Abbey Hotel will reflect this ethos now as part of the Hand Picked family. 

“The hotel’s unique offering and ideal location, close to Worcester and the Cotswolds with good transport links, offers us huge potential to attract leisure, wedding, conference and business guests to the area and we are working with the region’s tourism organisations and local industry to position the hotel as a vibrant destination for business and leisure during the integration period and beyond.” 

Andrea Borwell-Fox, President of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Hand Picked Hotels to the region, commenting, “We are delighted that Hand Picked Hotels is joining the business community in Worcestershire, bringing a wealth of experience as a group running country house hotels in key locations for leisure and business across the UK and the Channel Islands. 

Andrea, who also runs a software business in Malvern, continued, “Stanbrook Abbey is in one of the most beautiful areas of the country and tourism is a very important part of the regional economy, attracting visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, the countryside and waterways. Worcester’s attraction includes a wealth of historic houses, a steam railway, the city’s fascinating part in the English Civil War as well as excellent shopping and leisure facilities. We also have premiership rugby, first division cricket, basketball and horseracing. The region is famed for its local produce and also hosts a range of festivals from food and drink to arts and culture and we are looking forward to Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, with its rich history and beautiful architecture, playing an important role in helping to attract new visitors to the destination.”

The gothic style abbey, once inhabited by Benedictine nuns, with later additions by the sons of Augustus Pugin, including a church, cloisters and towers, is set in a walled estate of 26 acres. Within the grounds, there are manicured gardens, a flourishing orchard, a lake and a 100ft bell tower overlooking the River Severn.

The hotel has 55 bedrooms and a fine dining restaurant, Charlottes, as well as The Piano Bar for afternoon teas and George’s Bar, both on the ground floor, offering wonderful views of the grounds. There are 14 unique function spaces including a wine cellar, games room, the historic Thompson Dining Hall and the grand former chapel, Callow Great Hall. There is also a garden pavilion, private dining rooms, extensive outdoor space and the stunning Brides Manor, providing distinctive settings for weddings, private parties and corporate events.  

Launch rates for an overnight break with breakfast start from £129 per room per night (midweek) and £189 per room per night (weekend). Day Delegate Rates for meetings and events start at £49 per person. All rates include VAT and are subject to availability. Please call the central reservations team on 0845 458 0901 or visit www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/stanbrookabbey for more information.

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For media information, please contact:

Marion Hardman or Rebecca Warden-Brown
Four Communications
[email protected]  

Julia Gosling
Hand Picked Hotels
01732 471 036
[email protected] 

Notes to editors 

Hand Picked Hotels, created by former lawyer turned hotelier Julia Hands, is the leading collection of architecturally stunning country house hotels - built for pleasure and continuing a centuries-old tradition of offering guests an indulgent yet attainable country house experience, with a contemporary twist. 

The award-winning collection is renowned for exquisite food, fine wines and bespoke service by Hand Picked people in stylish, relaxing surroundings. There are a total of 17 classically British hotels in beautiful settings across England and Scotland and 3 Channel Island resorts, with locations ranging from the New Forest and Jersey to Yorkshire and Edinburgh. 

Hand Picked Hotels has won an impressive number of awards, with 15 hotels awarded two AA rosette status and Grand Jersey holding three rosettes. Ten hotels have achieved red star status which means they stand out as the very best in the British Isles. There are also ten hotels with spas offering the latest therapies and treatments to promote wellbeing and relaxation. 

Photo Credit Duncan Cox
Group photo L-R 
Julia Hands - Chairman & Chief Executive of Hand Picked Hotels
Andrea Borwell - President of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Gareth Davies - General Manager Stanbrook Abbey Hotel