The Tawny

STAFFORDSHIRE

Rural Staffordshire welcomes a cleverly conceived ‘deconstructed hotel’ spread across the verdant gardens of the 70-acre Consall Hall Estate.

Words: Matt Turner • Photography: © James Andrew

The site of a former colliery is perhaps the last place you would expect to find some 70 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, but that is what the former owner of Consall Hall Estate, William Podmore, created over a fiftyyear labour of love to transform the grounds surrounding his family home. Under Podmore’s stewardship, the mining pits and slag heaps were replaced with a quirky and eclectic mix of secluded gardens, woodland walks, semi-ruined follies, lily ponds and lakes.

Now under new ownership, the estate plays host to The Tawny, a cleverly conceived ‘deconstructed hotel’ in the heart of rural Staffordshire. New owners – locals Fran and William Scott-Moncrieff, and Ben and Sarah Reeves – embarked on a joint venture in 2018, working with CTD Architects to provide an economically viable and sustainable future for the gardens.

Today, that stunning landscape is the backdrop to a variety of standalone accommodations including Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Boathouses, Retreats and Lookout Lodges, all overlooked by The Plumicorn – an imposing double-vaulted Corten-steel structure that houses the main restaurant and bar. A smaller reception annexe is housed in the original manor house.

At the time of Sleeper’s visit there were 20 rooms completed and construction underway on a further 14 cedarclad hillside Retreat cabins on the eastern side of the site. Another 21 timber pods are also available exclusively to guests of popular wedding venue Foxhill Barns, which sits at a discreet distance from the main hotel.

“We have been inspired to create a collection of bold eco-conscious structures with sleek, expressive interiors, against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty,” explains Managing Director William Scott-Moncrieff. As a result, each guestroom is influenced by its surroundings, sympathetically designed by co-owner Sarah Reeves with luxurious touches that intertwine with the natural environment. The Shepherds Huts are cosy and welcoming with Scandinavian-style interiors, eco-friendly wool-insulated walls, log burners and stargazing skylights. Private decking areas accommodate outdoor tin baths for the single units, whilst a handful of double-brace huts allow the addition of a spacious living area and indoor freestanding bathtub.

The Lookout Lodges meanwhile take an elevated position, with floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the views across the lakes and valley of the estate. Features include freestanding baths in the main bedroom, outdoor hot tubs and al fresco showers sheltered from other guests with rough-hewn, crenelated timber.

The Treehouses also command imposing views over the gardens, their lofty interiors exhibiting a natural, rustic feel, while the Boathouses offer a more romantic and secluded waterfront location overlooking the lakes to the south of

At The Plumicorn globe pendant lighting and floral upholstered seating set the scene for Head Chef Chris Alexander’s dishes, made using local produce

the gardens. Two of the Boathouses can sleep four with the addition of an extra room with bunk beds. All accommodations are fitted out to a high standard with furnishings from Coach House and Style Matters, Hypnos beds, Farrow & Ball paint finishes, and decorative lighting by Pooky. The sleek, matte black bathroom fittings are by Crosswater, with all indoor freestanding baths by Victoria + Albert and the outdoor tubs by William Holland.

The standalone lodgings are subtly integrated into the landscape, in marked contrast to the striking main building, which houses The Plumicorn, named after the tufts of facial feathers found on various owl species. Entering the restaurant, a games room to the left provides a pool table and board games. The Feather Lounge offers a shorter, more casual menu, served on Maisons du Monde side tables beneath Atticus gold pendants by DAR Lighting. Plans are also in the pipeline for The Perch, an intimate private dining space with access to a Chef’s Table.

Upstairs, an events space provides overspill seating for the restaurant, but it’s the towering, double-height dining room that is the main

event. Festooned with globe pendant lighting and a living wall flanking either end of the space, the Style Matters seating is upholstered in bright floral fabrics. The kitchen, run by Head Chef Chris Alexander, offers a menu inspired by the quality local produce found throughout Staffordshire and the Peak District.

The views from the outside terrace are spectacular, with steps and statuary leading down to a protected outdoor pool that is heated all year round. From this central vantage point, five miles of meandering paths weave throughout the grounds, leading to the many sheltered spots and quiet nooks where guests can stretch out on the yoga mats provided in each room, find quiet sanctuary to read a book, or enjoy a picnic. The wildlife is abundant, as evidenced in the evocative names of various cabins and lodges: Skylark Ridge, Owl’s Nest and Pheasant’s Roost for the Lookouts and Treehouses; Lapwing, Kingfisher or Oystercatcher for the Boathouses and Buttercup, Honeysuckle and Primrose for the Retreats.

The owners have also gone to considerable lengths to ensure The Tawny is sustainable as well as sensitive to its surroundings, be it in the timber cladding used on the cabin exteriors, the foundations engineered so as not to harm tree roots, the food waste utilised as fertiliser throughout the grounds, and the outdoor bathtubs that require no chemicals, just fresh warm water.

“We are delighted to be associated with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revive and restore Consall Hall Gardens by the creation of this new leisure hotel,” says Chris Hesketh of CTD Architects. “The contemporary building at the head of the gardens makes a statement befitting this extraordinary project, whilst the innovative range of rooms blend within the restored and conserved landscaped garden, originally created by the late William Podmore. The new owners’ creative vision for the gardens will ensure their long-term upkeep, sustainability and conserve their ecological value.” EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Owners: Fran and William Scott-Moncrieff, Ben and Sarah Reeves Architecture: CTD Architects Interior Design: Sarah Reeves Main Contractor: Cumberbirch Construction Graphic Design: The Capture Factory www.thetawny.co.uk