Exploring The Expansive Wotton House: Bedroom Count Unveiled

Wotton House is a stately home and country estate hotel in Wotton Underwood, Buckinghamshire, England. The house was built between 1704 and 1714 and is an example of English Baroque architecture. It has a long and varied history, including serving as a base for the Canadian Army during World War II and as a fire training centre for the Home Office. Today, the house has been restored and operates as a hotel, offering guests access to a gym, indoor pool, steam room, tennis courts, and Italian gardens. While the exact number of bedrooms is unclear, Wotton House has accommodated a range of guests over the years, including notable figures such as Leo Bernard William Bonn and his son, Major Walter Basil Louis Bonn.

Wotton House's premium rooms

Wotton House has a rich history, dating back to 1086 when it was first listed in the Doomsday Book as the Manor of Wotton. Over the centuries, the house has undergone several transformations, from a Jacobean Mansion to a stately home, reflecting different periods of English architecture. Today, Wotton House is a country estate hotel that offers premium rooms with a touch of luxury and individual design.

The Premium Double rooms at Wotton House offer a blend of comfort and elegance. These rooms are inspired by the surrounding countryside, featuring textures and details that evoke the beauty of nature. Adorning the walls are specially commissioned artworks that pay homage to the local history and gardens. Some of these rooms also offer views of the estate's picturesque landscapes. In addition to the charming décor, these rooms come equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a pleasant stay. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, Antipodes toiletries, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, and desk space. The spacious bathrooms feature a bath, an over-top shower, and luxurious Antipodes toiletries. As with all rooms at Wotton House, the Premium Double rooms are non-smoking.

For those seeking a more spacious option, the Premium King bedrooms offer a touch of opulence. Accessed via the stunning 17th-century staircase, these rooms showcase the perfect blend of historical charm and modern comforts. The walls are adorned with commissioned artwork, celebrating the local history and the surrounding countryside. These rooms are furnished with relaxation in mind, offering a tranquil escape from the everyday. In addition to the standard amenities, the Premium King rooms feature a mini-fridge, ensuring a convenient and refreshing stay.

Guests staying in the premium rooms at Wotton House can also take advantage of the estate's leisure facilities, including a fully equipped gym, indoor pool, steam room, and tennis courts. The immaculately kept Italian gardens provide a peaceful backdrop for a relaxing stroll or an afternoon tea. With its rich history, luxurious accommodations, and picturesque surroundings, Wotton House offers a unique and memorable experience for its guests.

Wotton House's history

Wotton House in Wotton Underwood, Buckinghamshire, England, is a stately home built between 1704 and 1714. The house is an example of English Baroque and is a Grade I listed building. The architect is uncertain, but it may have been William Winde, John Fitch, Elizabeth Wilbraham, or someone else. The grounds were initially designed by George London and Henry Wise and featured a formal parterre and a double elm avenue leading down to a lake.

In 1726, Richard Grenville inherited the Wotton estate, which yielded a rental income of over £3000 per annum. In 1735, he introduced an Enclosure Act in Parliament, which cleared the area of dwellings, enabling the transformation of the garden into a new, natural landscape style during the 1750s. Richard Grenville's brother, George Grenville, became Prime Minister between 1763 and 1765.

In 1754, Hester, the sister of Richard and George Grenville, married William Pitt the Elder at Wotton. Pitt and Capability Brown were then brought in to execute Richard Grenville's vision for the landscape, in particular, the extensive waterworks. The Pleasure Grounds cover 200 acres and incorporate two lakes, one of 35 acres and one of 12 acres, joined by a canal.

In April 1786, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, future presidents of the United States, visited Wotton during a tour of stately homes. In his diary, Adams wrote, "Stowe, Hagley, and Blenheim, are superb; Woburn, Caversham, and the Leasowes are beautiful. Wotton is both great and elegant, though neglected". Jefferson noted, "But two gardeners. Much neglected".

A fire gutted the main house in 1820, after which Richard Grenville, the 1st Earl Temple, commissioned John Soane to rebuild it. Soane lowered the house, removing the top floor and reducing the height of the first-floor windows, giving it a Georgian proportion. He also created a three-storey, top-lit "Tribune", alongside a new stone staircase.

After the 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, the last direct Grenville male heir, died in 1889, the house was rented out to a succession of tenants, including Leo Bernard William Bonn, a philanthropist who founded what became the RNID, and his son, Major Walter Basil Louis Bonn, a decorated First World War hero.

In 1929, the house was bought and renovated by Major Michael Beaumont MP. In 1947, Beaumont sold the estate to a charity, and the main house became home to two boys' schools. By 1957, the house had become derelict and was due to be demolished, but it was saved by Elaine Brunner, who, with the help of architect Donald Insall, restored most of the Soane features. The house is now owned by Brunner's son-in-law, David Gladstone, a retired British diplomat and descendant of Victorian Prime Minister William Gladstone.

The grounds are open to the public at least one day a week during the summer months, but viewing of the house is by appointment only.

Wotton House's gardens

Wotton House has a rich history that dates back to 1086 when it was first listed in the Doomsday Book as the Manor of Wotton. Over the centuries, the estate has undergone several changes and has been owned by various notable figures, including royalty and politicians. Today, the house is a luxurious hotel set in 13 acres of picturesque Surrey countryside.

The Gardens

The gardens of Wotton House are a highlight of the estate and have played a significant role in its history. Covering 13 acres, the gardens offer a delightful mix of English eccentricity and Italian Renaissance influence. Here are some notable features of the gardens:

17th-Century Italian Gardens

Wotton House boasts the first Italian gardens in England, dating back to the 17th century. These gardens were commissioned by John Evelyn, a renowned botanist and arboriculture expert who once lived at Wotton House. The Italian gardens feature Roman temples and original mosaics, adding to the sense of intrigue and romance.

Grade II Listed Status

The gardens are individually Grade II listed, recognising their historical and cultural significance. This unusual status highlights the importance of protecting and preserving these unique garden features.

Tillingbourne River

The Tillingbourne River flows peacefully through the estate, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. The river was once used to power mills along its stretch, including those on the Wotton estate. These mills produced a variety of goods, such as wheat, malt, corn, copper, gunpowder, and paper.

Waterworks Grotto and Old Fernery

Built in 1898 by James Pulham of the Pulham legacy, the Waterworks Grotto and Old Fernery are testament to the historical importance of the gardens. The Pulham family was known for their garden sculptures, and their work can be found in stately homes and famous gardens across Britain.

Secret Garden and Menagerie

In the past, Wotton House featured a Secret Garden that served as a walled garden and kangaroo pen. The estate also had a grand temple built specifically to house a collection of tortoises. It is rumoured that a few kangaroos escaped and lived wild in the local area of Leith Hill for some time.

Today, guests at Wotton House can enjoy the immaculately kept Italian gardens, which provide a charming setting for weddings and other special events. The gardens offer a unique blend of historical intrigue and natural beauty, making Wotton House a truly memorable destination.

Wotton House's owners

Wotton House has had many owners over the centuries, each leaving their mark on the stately home and its extensive grounds.

The Early Years

The house first appeared in the Doomsday Book in 1086 as the Manor of Wotton, a Jacobean Mansion owned by Earl Harold. In the 15th century, it was sold to Sir David Owen, the nephew of King Henry VII. In 1579, George Evelyn, an entrepreneur who amassed a fortune from manufacturing gunpowder, purchased the house. George had 16 sons and 8 daughters, all of whom lived at Wotton House at some point, making it a true family home.

The Grenville Family

In the 17th century, the house came into the ownership of the Grenville family. Richard Grenville built Wotton House on its current site between 1704 and 1714, with an architectural design similar to that of Buckingham House (now Buckingham Palace). The grounds were laid out by George London and Henry Wise and included a formal parterre and a double elm avenue leading down to a lake.

Fire and Restoration

In 1820, a fire gutted the main house, after which Richard Grenville, the 1st Earl Temple, commissioned John Soane to rebuild it. Soane lowered the house, removing the top floor and reducing the height of the first-floor windows, giving it a Georgian proportion. The house remained in the Grenville family until 1889 when the last direct male heir, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, died.

A String of Tenants

After the death of the last Grenville male heir, the house was rented out to a series of tenants, including philanthropist Leo Bernard William Bonn and his son, Major Walter Basil Louis Bonn, a First World War hero.

Major Michael Beaumont MP

In 1929, Major Michael Beaumont MP purchased the estate and renovated it. However, in 1947, he sold it to a charity, and the main house became home to two boys' schools.

Near Demolition and Restoration

By 1957, the house had fallen into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition. Fortunately, Elaine Brunner stepped in and, with the help of architect Donald Insall, restored most of the Soane features. Today, the main house is owned by Elaine's son-in-law, David Gladstone, who continues the restoration work.

The South Pavilion

The South Pavilion, formerly the coach house, was sold separately in 1947 and has had several notable owners, including Sir Arthur Bryant, Sir John Gielgud, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie.

While the exact number of bedrooms in Wotton House is unclear, the estate's long history of owners and tenants showcases its enduring appeal as a grand residence.

Wotton House's amenities

Wotton House is a stately home and hotel in Wotton, Dorking, Surrey, England. It is a Grade I listed building and an example of English Baroque architecture. The house has a rich history, dating back to the 11th century, and has been owned by various notable figures, including royalty and politicians. Today, it offers guests a range of amenities to make their stay comfortable and enjoyable.

Guests at Wotton House have access to a fully equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, a steam room, and tennis courts. The house also boasts immaculately kept Italian gardens, the first of their kind in England, featuring Roman temples and original mosaics. These gardens are Grade II listed and offer a mystical and romantic exploration experience.

The hotel's rooms are individually designed, exuding style and charm. They are well-equipped, featuring writing desks, vintage phones, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, safes, and bathrobes and slippers. Some rooms even have views of the surrounding countryside.

Wotton House also offers modern classics with a Country House Estate twist in its restaurant and modern cocktails in its bar. The hotel caters to various events, including weddings, set amidst its magical Italian Gardens and modern, luxurious touches.

For those seeking relaxation, the leisure club provides a tranquil escape, while families can explore the nearby Surrey Hills and utilize the available walking maps and hunter wellies from reception.

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