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Wivenhoe House

from $121
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“A smart country house with beautifully designed rooms mixing traditional features such as beamed ceilings and classical wallpaper with floor to ceiling windows, luxury bathrooms and a superb restaurant. The service is unsurprisingly on point too. ”

Hotel review

Wivenhoe House is steeped in history. This grade II listed building dates back to 1759, and has been immortalised in a stunning landscape painting by none other than local boy, John Constable. Alongside Wivenhoe house, a modern garden wing has been built, in stark contemporary contrast to its period neighbour. There are sixteen individually designed rooms in the main house, with a further twenty four in the garden wing. All are finished in a classic contemporary style and those in the new building have impressive floor to ceiling windows (some with balcony too) so that you can enjoy far-reaching views over the grounds. For a real treat, book one of their luxury rooms (all these are located in the main house); they are simply huge and boast sitting areas plus not only walk-in rain showers but also lovely free standing bath tubs. Dining at Wivenhoe will not disappoint either; the brasserie is situated on the ground floor of the Garden wing and there's plenty of outside seating for warmer months. Inspired by the classic French brasseries, the menu offers a delicious range of traditional dishes served up with a modern twist. Afternoon tea is also a bit of an event here, or you could just skip straight to cocktails at the bar. An interesting twist to Wivenhoe is its close association with the Edge Hotel School, so, many of the members of staff are undertaking practical experience and with continual assessment, standards are high. Wivenhoe House is an excellent choice for either business or leisure travellers. It is located just outside Colchester (so great for an escape from London), close to the pretty quayside town of Wivenhoe, surrounded by rivers, walks and charming sights.

Sarah Empson
Sarah Empson Review published: 03/12/2024

Recommended for

  • Country Escape

    • A large country house with easy access to London. Ideal for a weekend away.

  • Wildlife Area

    • Colchester Zoo holds 270 species spread across 60 acres, ideal for a family day out.

  • Sights nearby

    • Visit Colchester Castle, the biggest Norman keep in Europe.

  • Great walks

    • Take a stroll through the beautiful Beth Chatto Gardens.

  • Museums

    • Munnings Art Museum in Dedham

  • Other Activities

    • Explore Constable country

  • Full of character

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Quiet

  • Romantic

  • Luxury

  • Traditional

  • Disabled access

  • Child friendly

  • Antiques

  • Restaurant

Facilities

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • No pets

  • Meeting Room

  • Bar

  • Parking

  • Wifi

  • Disabled access

  • Room service

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

  • Restaurant

Activities

  • Wildlife Area

    • Colchester Zoo holds 270 species spread across 60 acres, ideal for a family day out.

  • Sights nearby

    • Visit Colchester Castle, the biggest Norman keep in Europe.

  • Great walks

    • Take a stroll through the beautiful Beth Chatto Gardens.

  • Museums

    • Munnings Art Museum in Dedham

  • Other Activities

    • Explore Constable country

Map & Location

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See what they say

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Full English – cooked to order or continental buffet

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We offer meals in our brasserie

Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our Superior & Deluxe rooms – As they are affordable yet all have great views over the historic parkland, many also have balconies from which to enjoy a glass of wine

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Our brasserie is child friendly and we won Essex Life’s most child friendly Sunday lunch award, most of our Deluxe and Luxury rooms can cater for a cot or foldable children’s bed.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? That Wivenhoe House Hotel is a hidden gem nestled in acres of historic parkland yet only moments from Colchester and Wivenhoe. The hotel is a great place to explore the many attractions that Essex and Suffolk have to offer.

Other reviews

Wivenhoe House

Home to Britain’s only hotel-based hotel school, and perhaps the country’s only on-campus hotel, Wivehoe House is a very comfortable and unusual place to stay, situated in a large and historic park next door to the University of Essex on the outskirts of Colchester.

Originally published by The Telegraph

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