The Tawny bolsters self-catering offering to attract families

The Tawny hotel in Staffordshire has expanded its self-catering offering on the Basford Estate to target families and group business.

The newly launched Bath House occupies a Grade II-listed, castle-style property dating back to the 19th century. 

It features an outdoor heated pool with swim jet, a traditional sauna steam room, a chill box for cold water immersion, and a Big Green Egg BBQ.

The Bath House is priced at £1,000 a night (minimum two-night stay) and sleeps up to 10 people.

Restored by Louise Platt Interiors, the space includes a traditional black range cooker, a checkerboard limestone floor, and five individually designed ensuite bedrooms.

Guests staying at the Bath House can also make the most of morning yoga sessions, water aerobics, foraging masterclasses and movie nights.

The opening forms part of the Tawny’s ongoing strategy to tap into the growing demand for luxury holiday homes, following the launch of the Tawny’s first Fledgling cottages in summer 2024.

General manager Josh Chadwick told The Caterer last year: “My advice to another hotelier would be if there’s a market for self-contained accommodation, go for it.”

In light of this, the Basford Estate will also see the launch of the Owlets, a collection of cottages circulating a shared courtyard, this winter.

Like the Fledglings, the five Owlets cottages will use biomass energy and offer everything from one-bedroom retreats to four-bedroom houses.

Meanwhile, the Tawny’s Wingspan Collection of treehouses, boathouses and shepherd’s huts are located on the Consall Estate, a 10-minute drive or 90-minute walk away.

Both estates border the RSPB Consall Woods Nature Park, which stretches over 479 acres, the River Churnet and Caldon Canal.

The Tawny was launched in 2021 across 55 shepherd’s huts, treehouses, boathouses and retreats. The site was previously home to engineer Wiliam Podmore, who spent 50 years developing the gardens.