Bowood has been home to the Lansdowne family since 1754. Within the western corner of Capability Brown’s 2,000 acre Grade I Listed Great Park and a mile from Bowood House, the new hotel and spa are just set back from the 18-hole championship golf course to form Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.
On arrival at Bowood – between Calne and Chippenham – Her Royal Highness was welcomed by the 9th Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne who then introduced HRH to the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Mr. Robert Floyd DL before moving into the hotel for a reception in the Library. Here The Duchess met civic dignitaries and local government representatives, as well as key Bowood staff and building contractors behind the opening of the hotel and spa.
After the reception, Her Royal Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque at the entrance of the hotel. Four year old, Amelie Leather, (daughter of Bowood Estate Manager, Mr. Charles Leather) then presented The Duchess with a bouquet.
Alongside the existing Bowood Golf & Country Club, the separate three-story hotel features 37 bedrooms and six suites, the 82-seater Shelburne Restaurant & Bar and two lounges (The Library and the Morning Room). With its own dedicated entrance, the spa comprises a 15×6 metre infinity swimming pool, hot pool, crystal steam room, rock sauna, aromatherapy showers, gym and spa bar.
The new Bowood hotel adopts a distinctively English country house tone with interiors created by Lady Lansdowne, who has pursued a 34 year career as a designer since graduating from the Inchbald School of Design. She has drawn upon Bowood’s impressive heritage, reflecting themes to be found within Bowood House and across the estate while also bringing modern translations to classic pieces.
“We are extremely honoured to have the new hotel and spa officially opened by Her Royal Highness, and thank her hugely for joining us today,” commented Lord Lansdowne. “She has been following the development of the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort closely for some time. Her presence today acknowledges the dedication and tireless work of so many and we are delighted that she could be with us to see a vision of more than 20 years come to fruition.”
The present Marquis of Lansdowne opened Bowood House & Gardens to the public in 1975 and since then some four million people have visited. Over half the house is open to the public (with the family living in the remainder) as well as over 100 acres of gardens and grounds.
Bowood appeals to all ages, thanks to its many varied attractions, including an Adventure Playground, a woodland garden of rhododendrons covering 60 acres, an Arboretum, the Robert Adam Orangery, the priceless Bowood Collection and the laboratory where Dr. Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen gas.
Bowood Golf & Country Club www.bowood-golf.co.uk