The Alveston Manor Hotel: – courtesy of the Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel & Adrian Wroth – photographer©
Alveston Manor – Stratford-upon-Avon
Written by John Richard Hodges
After completing and publishing ‘Welcombe House – The Story of a Victorian Calendar House’ John has written a book on the history of the Alveston Manor Hotel. The book is available at the hotel or directly from John at . The manor is close to the centre of Stratford and the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Alveston Manor Hotel has always been at the forefront of the famous Warwickshire town with its Shakespeare connections.
Alveston has the famous ‘kissing tree’ in its gardens where allegedly Shakespeare had his first kiss and where ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was first performed.
The rear of the Alveston Manor Hotel: – courtesy of the Alveston Manor Hotel & Adrian Wroth – photographer©
The 21st century 4 Star Alveston Manor Hotel has an interesting history which runs from pre-Roman times. Some fascinating personalities have occupied the Manor House, and ran the different hotels up to the present day splendid Macdonald 4 Star hotel with all its facilities and modern conveniences.
The book looks at the early and later history of the Manor, which includes connections with Worcester Cathedral that owned land here from the 10th to the 16th century. A small Anglo-Saxon monastery was also found on the site together with Roman artefacts, all fascinating links to the distant past.
The figure of William Shakespeare in front of the Alveston Manor Hotel: – JRH©
There is a connection to Shakespeare and his family and other interesting personalities who have had links with the Manor and the local area.
John’s book looks at the Manor house itself and its history through to when the Bird Family bought the Manor in the 1930s and turned it into the first hotel. During World War Two the Canadian Army and Air Force had connections with the Manor. After the War the Manor again reverted to a hotel, with the Bird family carrying out a complete renovation both inside and outside before the Manor was sold to the Forte Group of hotels and later to the present owners Macdonald Hotels.
The hotel is a fascinating mixture of old and new. The panelling and the stunning stained glass windows put in by the Bird family all give the manor a charming ambience which comes out in the colour plates of John’s book. Copies can be obtained from the hotel reception or from John Hodges at .
