Oakman Group to redevelop Batchwood Hall into luxury hotel

Oakman Group has signed a 35-year lease to redevelop the historic Batchwood Hall in St Albans into a "top destination with luxury hotel rooms".

The pub and restaurant operator purchased the hall, which has remained empty since the pandemic, from St Albans City & District Council for an undisclosed sum.

Batchwood Hall was built in 1874 as a manor house for architect, horologist and barrister Edmund Beckett, the first Baron Grimthorpe, who designed the mechanism for Big Ben in London's Westminster.

The building and surrounding estate came under council ownership in 1935 and a municipal 18-hole golf course was added soon after.

It is set to receive a multi-million-pound investment from Oakman Group if the necessary planning permissions are granted.

Oakman group said the venue is likely to open for business in 2025 and will offer a restaurant, bar, and function room.

"We also plan to establish the hall as a premier local venue for weddings and other events and a top destination with luxury hotel rooms for those visiting and staying in the City," said Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman.

Suzanne Jones, strategic director for customer, business and corporate support for St Albans City & District Council, said: "We are very excited that this magnificent building is being brought back into use to become a St Albans landmark once again.

"The plans to create luxury hotel rooms alongside a high-quality restaurant and bar will help establish the hall as a top destination and attract people looking for a staycation. We have worked hard to find an outstanding partner in Oakman who share our vision for this project."

Oakman Group opened its first pub, the Akeman in Tring, in 2007. It now operates 40 rural and suburban pubs and hotels across England.