Our Story

The picturesque village of Hoar Cross, originally named Horecross, was created upon the Needwood Forest, owned by Henry de Ferrers in the late 11th Century. The village's rural charm remains the same to this day, nestled directly between the towns of Stafford, Lichfield, Uttoxeter and Burton upon Trent. After the land was passed down through family lines and purchased by many individuals, the Hall’s original foundations were erected in the 15th Century, during the reign of Henry VI, featuring a moat, drawbridge, porter’s lodge, summer house and chapel. In 1740 the manor house was sadly demolished due to decay and neglect, but brought back to life in 1793 when Hugo Meynell, ‘The Father of Fox-Hunting’, purchased the estate with his wife Elizabeth Ingram Shepheard, and built a hunting lodge in its place known as ‘The Old Hall’.

The approach to Hoar Cross Hall offered a dramatic unveiling, entering through a castellated archway with lodge and gatehouse, that gradually revealed the magnificent building, with an extended drive lined with lime trees. The screen of trees opposite the main entrance were planted to protect the north side of the Hall from the wind, with the terraces and gardens on the south side planted using Sir Francis Bacon’s ‘Essay on Gardens’. There was around 28 groundskeepers during the Meynell’s reign, responsible for not only keeping the gardens looking beautiful all year round, but also growing fruit, vegetables and herbs for the kitchen. In the greenhouses and palmhouses adjacent to the Hall, flowers and potted plants were also grown, to decorate the principal rooms and events were important guests resided.

At the east end of the Long Gallery was the Garden Hall, which eventually reached the Chapel, a later addition to the property in 1897. With linenfold panelling, a carved ceiling, gilded altarpiece and stained glass windows, the Chapel was used for morning services, which all 75 staff were expected to attend, except the cook who was making breakfast.

The Drawing Room, now known as The Ballroom, was always one of the most highly regarded rooms of the Hall. Featuring William Morris wallpaper, which can still be seen today, a ‘wedding cake’ ceiling and two marble mantelpieces underneath portraits of Hugo and Emily Meynell, The Drawing Room was as grand then as it is today.

The servants quarters could be found in the basement and second floor of the Hall, featuring servant bells connected to the ground floor. The living quarters of the family could also be found on the first floor, with every room named by the village or town the window faced. Interestingly, a ‘Burton Room’ was never created, due the family believing the town did not have any worthy attributes.

Hoar Cross Hall was rented out post 1952 to a local consultant and his wife for 10 years, followed by a monastic community creating a Christian Community Centre. Eventually, after the monastic community left due to struggling to raise the required funds, William and Gwynyth Bickerton-Jones purchased the Hall in 1970, and settled there for the next 20 years.Under the reign of the Bickerton-Jones family, the Hall opened to the public after many much-needed renovations, offering Afternoon Tea, banqueting nights and large scale events. This made the Hall not only a family home, but a successful business which earned its own keep.

Barons Eden, the luxury Hotel and Spa collection formed by Mr Steve Joynes, now own Hoar Cross Hall. Made up of six like-minded partners who share a passion for entertaining, socialising, great food and standout experiences, the close knit team set out to create truly memorable stays, treating every guest like a friend of the family. Recently investing £14 million pounds in renovations across the spa and hotel, Hoar Cross Hall is now one of the largest spas in Europe, bringing guests back time and time again. Barons Eden also own the historical property Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire, an award-winning Day Spa offering first-class facilities, luxury treatments and most importantly, total relaxation.