Every week brings something new and exciting, and this week’s excavations at Dormy House have revealed a find of historical value. An ancient well has been discovered under the flagstones that once led into the Bar (also known as the Barn Owl for many years.) For the past decade at least, this has been the spot where people sat in comfort for a morning coffee, or perhaps relaxing with something stronger after dinner. We believe the old well is a real link back into the building’s former life as Willersey Hill Farm.

As many of you will know, Dormy House is a converted 17th century farmhouse sitting proudly on the top of Willersey Hill. Our research tells us that 100 years ago, a large family called the Cotterells farmed the land, probably with a mix of arable and sheep farming as is common in the north Cotswold hills.

The water well would have been a central and essential feature on the farm, to access groundwater for domestic and agricultural use. This week’s discovery of the old well reveals something of the history of Willersey Hill Farm and we hope to preserve it at Dormy House.

Martin has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally and is currently Head of Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art. Later in the year we will also see a book on his photographs relating to the Farncombe Estate.

Here is a sneak peek of his camera at work in February:

This week, progress has gone to the next level. After digging deep, structural works are now advancing quickly and the steelwork is going in, as well as the construction of the new walls and ceilings within the main house. Phil’s team has now increased to 60 strong on site, and as the temperatures rise in April, the pressure mounts as the countdown begins.

Perhaps the most exciting ‘vision’ ahead… excavation progresses with the ‘digging out’ to prepare for the new swimming pool and spa area. A muddy hole it may be now, but we can’t wait for the transformation into a sparkling new pool and light airy House Spa with six treatment rooms (including one double treatment room), a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, a thermal suite, an infinity edge raised pool, a spa lounge with a wood burning stove and stunning views over the Vale of Evesham to the Welsh Hills. Excited?…. we are!

In the heart of the Cotswolds, a new ‘dream team’ partnership in the kitchen is taking place. John Wood, internationally renowned Michelin starred Executive Chef, has been appointed as Food & Beverage Consultant at Dormy House ahead of the hotel’s highly anticipated re-opening in September 2013. John will be working creatively with Dormy House Head Chef, Paul Napper.

Creative consultant John Wood will share his inimitable skills and knowledge to create three distinct dining concepts and over the next few months the duo will be working together to engineer new menus and ensure new operational procedures are in place. The restaurant and an informal bar will introduce fine dining with flavours and ingredients from locally-sourced produce as well as fruit, vegetables and herbs all grown on the estate gardens.

Andrew Grahame, Farncombe CEO comments, ‘John brings a new exciting creativity and culinary partnership to Dormy House, where the food has always been a particular strength. Over the next few months, Paul and John will be working to create new menus that reflect the abundance of good produce on our doorstep in the Vale of Evesham’.

John has an impressive background working both nationally and internationally at some of the best establishments in the world. He has achieved a Michelin star, 4 AA Rosettes and 8 out of 10 in the Good Food Guide, and his experience running successful and innovative kitchens and restaurants includes The Savoy, The Dorchester, The Grove and Cliveden (where he gained his Michelin star). John’s career has taken him to Europe, Asia, South Africa and Dubai, working in 5* establishments as well as the 7 * Burj-al-Arab hotel in Dubai. After working as a chef for over 25 years, John set up his own consultancy allowing him to apply his experience and knowledge to improve all aspects of food and beverage operations. Commenting on his appointment John says “Dormy House has had a superb reputation for quality and style over the years and this major refurbishment will take it onto an even greater level. The Food and Beverage offering is going to take on a new lease of life and we have some very exciting ideas planned. Paul Napper is an exceptionally talented and dedicated chef and his desire to not only source local produce but local talent is fantastic. This is by far one of the most exciting renovations in the UK for 2013 and I am proud to be part of this development”.

John joins Dormy Chef Paul Napper, who is extremely excited by the new partnership and developing new culinary themes, ‘We will be pushing ideas together to come up with the right concept’, says Paul. ‘John has a lot of experience, so it is great to have him on board helping us to create something amazing and unique in the Cotswolds’. Inspired by old-school classical chefs such as the Roux Brothers, Paul Napper has worked at Dormy House for over four years. He has recently returned from the Dormy House’s sister property, Ruths Hotel in Skagen, Denmark, where he learnt a great deal from the hotel’s talented French Head Chef Michel Michaud.

Prior to the Dormy House opening in September 2013, Stratford-upon-Avon College will be lending their kitchen to the culinary duo to develop the dining concepts, new menus and signature dishes, ready for the new Restaurant and Brasserie opening.

We look forward to them cooking up a storm in the Cotswolds.

http://www.johnwoodconsultancy.com/

Thank you!

Give yourself the best Christmas gift this year: a three-night stay at Dormy House with all the trimmings. If you’re looking for a luxury Christmas break in the Cotswolds, we are simply the best. We have a stunning countryside location only 1 1/2 hours from London Paddington. Think log fires and roasted chestnuts, Champagne and your personal Christmas stocking. Oh, and the famous Dormy food and service.

Watch this space for more details about how to unwrap your Dormy Christmas package for 2013.

Dormy House: Christmas with bells on

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This watercolour shows the design of one of the more contemporary rooms planned for the Dormy.