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Down Hall hotel invests £1m to boost its luxury offer
A new restaurant, spa and weddings and event space are under development at the hotel
Down Hall hotel in Essex has revealed details of a £1m investment it has made into expanding its luxury food, spa and events offering.
General manager Linden Beattie said the property, which was named AA Hotel of the Year in 2024 and holds four AA silver stars, was aiming to “redefine” a country house escape.
Plans for the 110-acre estate will see the development of the Woodland Table, a alfresco dining experience with outdoor fire cooking; a new Garden Spa Retreat; and the Charles Gardens, a half-acre, landscaped area for outdoor weddings and events.
The Woodland Table will launch in July and will be available for corporate events, weddings and will run ticketed dinners over the summer months.
September will see the launch of the Garden Spa Retreat, which will offer five treatment rooms and a landscaped ‘relaxation terrace’
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This will be followed by the opening of the Charles Gardens in April 2026. The space will feature a wide lawn with space for up to 180 seats, a decorative iron gazebo, a two-metre-wide aisle, a bespoke bar and lounge garden.
More than 40 new trees will be planted alongside hedging, ornamental grasses and sculpted domes.
Beattie added: "This new phase of investment underscores our commitment to continuously enhancing the guest experience while preserving the character and charm of our historic property. Whether dining beneath the canopy of the Woodland Table, finding tranquillity in our new Garden Spa Retreat, or celebrating milestones in the Charles Gardens, we are redefining what it means to escape to the English countryside.
“Down Hall is now a true destination for luxury stays, extraordinary events and exceptional dining.”
It is the latest investment in the 98-room Down Hall, which announced a £2.8m refurbishment of its bar and outside space in 2022.
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