This year, travelers can step back into the 18th century and experience life in a beautifully restored Georgian mansion. The Distinctly Hospitable Group has acquired Hawkstone Hall, a Grade I–listed country house set within 88 acres of gardens in Shropshire’s rolling countryside. As the fourth owner in the property’s 550-year history, the company is undertaking a careful refurbishment to return the estate to its original grandeur.
Built in 1707 as a stately home and later cared for by Catholic missionaries until June 2017, the 43,400-square-foot house is being transformed into one of the most luxurious hotels in the United Kingdom. The restoration aims to preserve the building’s historic character while introducing modern comforts and refined hospitality.
The mansion is surrounded by formal lawns, expansive gardens, orchards, an ancient cemetery, wooded areas and a network of walking paths, all anchored by the estate’s original 18th-century lily pond. These tranquil grounds will provide a peaceful setting to complement the hotel’s elegant interiors, which will feature sculpted ceilings, fine antique furnishings, sweeping double staircases and carefully appointed guestrooms that balance historic detail with contemporary comfort.
Accommodation will include 12 suites — among them an extravagant honeymoon suite — and 28 additional bedrooms. Each suite and room will carry a name inspired by Jane Austen characters and will be decorated in soft, harmonious color palettes that reflect the tones of the main hall, with gentle blues and pinks throughout.
With a focus on preserving heritage and offering a stately, welcoming experience, Hawkstone Hall is scheduled to open its doors to guests in summer 2018.