Grand design £6m house renovation breathes new life into British heritage
AN historic hotel in north Bristol has been completely refurbished after the group’s owners spent millions on a revamp.
The renovations at De Vere Tortworth Court, which were finished this month, began in July and cost £6million.
The Grade II listed Victorian countryside retreat is part of the De Vere portfolio of estate hotels and event spaces, and was recorded in the Domesday Book.
It was also the ancestral home of the Ducie family for 350 years.
The mansion has an arboretum, hundreds of rare and domestic trees located across the estate’s 30 acres and specially commissioned sculptures by artist Emma Stothard.
These include a parliament of hares positioned as the centrepiece of the formal garden.
Laurie Nicol, chief operating officer at De Vere, said: “Tortworth Court’s renovation is part of a wider, multi-million-pound investment into the new-look De Vere portfolio.
“The work has seen the historical mansion house hotels extensively renovated to celebrate their British heritage and the estates’ natural landscapes.
“By restoring these stunning historic buildings and breathing new life into our event spaces, we’re creating inspirational locations where traditional values meet the latest luxuries, 21st-cenury design and state-of-the-art facilities.
“De Vere Tortworth Court is no exception to this and we’re delighted to showcase the results.”
To celebrate the renovation, business leaders from around the region will attend an invite-only garden party on June 6 at the venue.
There will be a fireworks display,
cars from luxury automotive specialist Rybrook and champagne from Lanson.
Showcase
The hotel group is the main sponsor of the Business Showcase 2019, the biggest free business event in the South West.
The event is taking place on June 19 at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol and involves free talks, workshops, seminars and networking.
The showcase’s founder Jamie Breese said: “We’re really delighted that businesses across the South West region have received this amazing support from De Vere.
“Before we won their support we would hold regular team meetings there, so it’s a joy to now have them sponsoring this event.”
The showcase is also being sponsored by HSBC, Jelf and Reed and supported by Reach plc, which publishes the Gloucestershire Echo and Citizen.
Raphael Herzog, general manager of De Vere Tortworth Court, said: “It was vital for the hotel to partner with a premium brand to raise the profile of the hotel in the Bristol market.
“Having successfully exhibited at the showcase in 2018, upgrading to a main sponsor for 2019 alongside companies such as HSBC and Jelf was the ideal natural progression in order to further promote the hotel.”
The ninth Business Showcase celebrates the best of the South West and will include 250 exhibition stands and is expected to attract more than 5,000 people.
Previous speakers have included Baroness Karren Brady, Levi Roots, Wing Commander Andy Green,and former retail titan Gerald Ratner.
First West of England is running a free bus service from key locations such as Temple Meads station and Millennium Square, while the official car park is also free to use.
We’re creating inspirational locations where traditional values meet the latest luxuries Laurie Nicol