The History of Dormy House
Dormy House, which dates back to the 17th century, was originally “Willersey Hill Farm” and the owners farmed the surrounding land. In mediaeval times the area was renowned for its wealth due mainly to the woollen barons and great fortunes were made from the lion sheep.
In the mid 1940′s the adjacent Broadway Golf Club bought the farmhouse and nearby buildings and changed the name to “Dormy House” – Dormy being the golfing term for unbeatable.
After a short ownership, Dormy House was sold in 1947 to a local hairdresser who developed a modest bed and breakfast business.
In 1950 the business was subsequently sold to Miss MacKay and Miss Holt, these ladies realising the potential activity improved the bedrooms and enhanced the guesthouse. They went on to obtain an alcohol licence in 1962 and a reputation for good food and hotel status followed.
A local entrepreneur, Hugh Corbett, bought the business in 1970 and installed central heating, additional bedrooms, private bathrooms and modernised the bar areas. Mr. Corbett’s style and
efforts further established Dormy House in the local community.
In 1977 an agreement was reached for the hotel’s present owner to purchase. Jørgen Philip-Sørensen continued the development of the accommodation and restaurant and embarked on an enormous and adventurous building project. £1m was invested in a purpose built conference and banqueting suite and more bedrooms (a total of 48). During the excavation it was necessary for an archaeologist to oversee the work, as there is a long barrow (Iron Age burial site) nearby. Great effort and consideration was given to the new building to ensure the natural beauty of the surrounding area was maintained.
The History of the Dormy House Hotel The hotel has continued from strength to strength, the restaurant has been extended with the conservatory style “Roger Chant Dining Room” and leisure facilities include a gym, and sauna/steam room as well as a putting green and croquet lawn.
In 1999 a further £1m was invested to refurbish the conference centre and an orangery was added. The gallery entrance has been rebuilt with a new porch and display area and disabled access and facilities installed to the banqueting suite.
January 2006 saw a further investment of £600,000 to refurbish 10 rooms in its Danish Court creating 8 Deluxe Double rooms and 2 Executive Suites with all the modern state of the art features such as broadband, scene setting lighting, flat screen TV’s and safes to mention but a few! Today the results are clear for all to see.
In March 2008, further expansion occurred when an additional suite was added to the hotel making a total of nine suites including the Penthouse.
January 2010 brought the very sad demise of Jørgen Philip-Sørensen. This is however not the end of an era as the hotel will remain in the very capable hands of the Sørensen Family who
have already given permission for further enhancements to the hotel during the next few years.
