Sitting in 14 acres of its own grounds, Woolley Grange conference hotel is set in beautiful countryside with far reaching views of the White Horse at Westbury. A Jacobean manor house built in the early 17th century and a family home for over 400 years, it was opened by Nigel Chapman and his wife in 1989. Situated on the fringe of the medieval wool town, Bradford on Avon and just 8 miles from the city of Bath.
Reviews (10)
Emma Livingston
Jun 03, 2022
Just returned from an amazing family trip to Woolley Grange. The staff were so welcoming and accommodating - nothing was too much trouble. The children were beyond themselves with excitement (with thanks to the infinite patience of the creche staff) while the adults of the family had a fabulous, truly relaxing break. Sumptuous food, delicious drinks and a very comfortable room. Thank you so much!
Barbara Roberts
May 09, 2022
Michael Copland-Griffiths
May 04, 2022
The best thing about our experience was the telephone booking for a special lunch. Lovely, friendly, helpful person who noted that it was my wife's 50th and would pass this on so the staff could ensure that this would be a great and memorable occasion. Lovely day, the sun shining, and the setting glorious - but the moment we entered, things were not as anticipated - a "matter of fact" greeting, perhaps acceptable in an ordinary 3 star hotel, but little warmth - a vague, "who are you?" from the maitre d' on entering the restaurant, as if we were intruding on their comfortably empty dining room and they would be called to work - and a rather "take it or leave it" from the waitress, though we did get an embarrassed smile on one occasion - the only smile we received all lunchtime.
The menu was rather unexciting - I ought to have looked on line first - Very little range, though lunches probably don't have a resident chef at that time of day, so that might limit the available options: baguette, beetroot tartare with rice, burger, black bean burger, fish and chips tarted up with "Iford cider", tagliatelle, a gnocchi, sirloin steak, and a "superfood salad" with choice between chicken breast, smoked salmon, and tofu.
We opted for the latter, one chicken, two salmon, and added 3 extra sides (great idea!) with us choosing pork belly, polenta chips and gougere. Having taken our order we were told, "sorry, there's no gougere, " so we chose the "crispy calamari" instead. For drinks we chose the local Kettlesmith beer, which I enjoy anyway, and an alcohol free Pink Negroni.
The latter arrived and was so alcoholic it could well have made our driver fail a breath test on the spot - maybe that was why we were billed 11.50 for the replacement, an unadorned, ungarnished glass, mainly of ice cubes that rapidly melted into a warm alcohol-free wishy-washy liquid - I suppose we should not have expected too much of an alcohol free cocktail, normally of gin and vermouth. but what was quite unacceptable was that the thin strip of orange peel that had enhanced the original, probably quite lovely cocktail, was absent and no one had bothered to replace it, not even with a sprig of mint! Well, maybe the food might make up for it?
No such luck. The attractive, large ceramic bowls were generously filled with a range of leaves, but the kale, hard and chewy as kale at the end of a hard winter, (or a mature chard) failed in a desperate attempt to masquerade as tender. The chicken dumped atop was bland, with any taste poached out of it, and the salmon was just ordinary farm-bred, cheap supermarket salmon.
I loved the pork belly - could have had a full plate of that! - but the polenta chips were pretty mushy under a tasteless crumbly, far from crispy cover, and the replaced calamari a disaster - far from "Crispy", they drooped into a bowl, batter hanging off, and the cooking oil that welled at the bowl apex typified the lacklustre attention of the kitchen, examples of whom waddled in and out with shoulder-burdened posture and bored, inattentive facial expressions that seemed to typify the rest of the on duty staff on what should have been a happy celebrative half-a-century birthday - an occasion that not one member of staff had even bothered to acknowledge!
The setting is a typical local Jacobean building with Victorian additions and a lovely green countryside overview. The garden has a few choice plants, shrubs and trees but could have been cared for more attentively. The view from the restaurant needed more care and a bit of back-bending weeding. The restaurant was tired and disappointing, but the architecture holding up the ceiling glass was imaginative and the lighting, if needed, would have been exciting.
Perhaps the brown-edged, ailing leaves on the table and wall plant decorations were typical of this establishment's attitude to making what should have been a joyful occasion into one that made us never, ever want to grace it with our presence again.
The menu was rather unexciting - I ought to have looked on line first - Very little range, though lunches probably don't have a resident chef at that time of day, so that might limit the available options: baguette, beetroot tartare with rice, burger, black bean burger, fish and chips tarted up with "Iford cider", tagliatelle, a gnocchi, sirloin steak, and a "superfood salad" with choice between chicken breast, smoked salmon, and tofu.
We opted for the latter, one chicken, two salmon, and added 3 extra sides (great idea!) with us choosing pork belly, polenta chips and gougere. Having taken our order we were told, "sorry, there's no gougere, " so we chose the "crispy calamari" instead. For drinks we chose the local Kettlesmith beer, which I enjoy anyway, and an alcohol free Pink Negroni.
The latter arrived and was so alcoholic it could well have made our driver fail a breath test on the spot - maybe that was why we were billed 11.50 for the replacement, an unadorned, ungarnished glass, mainly of ice cubes that rapidly melted into a warm alcohol-free wishy-washy liquid - I suppose we should not have expected too much of an alcohol free cocktail, normally of gin and vermouth. but what was quite unacceptable was that the thin strip of orange peel that had enhanced the original, probably quite lovely cocktail, was absent and no one had bothered to replace it, not even with a sprig of mint! Well, maybe the food might make up for it?
No such luck. The attractive, large ceramic bowls were generously filled with a range of leaves, but the kale, hard and chewy as kale at the end of a hard winter, (or a mature chard) failed in a desperate attempt to masquerade as tender. The chicken dumped atop was bland, with any taste poached out of it, and the salmon was just ordinary farm-bred, cheap supermarket salmon.
I loved the pork belly - could have had a full plate of that! - but the polenta chips were pretty mushy under a tasteless crumbly, far from crispy cover, and the replaced calamari a disaster - far from "Crispy", they drooped into a bowl, batter hanging off, and the cooking oil that welled at the bowl apex typified the lacklustre attention of the kitchen, examples of whom waddled in and out with shoulder-burdened posture and bored, inattentive facial expressions that seemed to typify the rest of the on duty staff on what should have been a happy celebrative half-a-century birthday - an occasion that not one member of staff had even bothered to acknowledge!
The setting is a typical local Jacobean building with Victorian additions and a lovely green countryside overview. The garden has a few choice plants, shrubs and trees but could have been cared for more attentively. The view from the restaurant needed more care and a bit of back-bending weeding. The restaurant was tired and disappointing, but the architecture holding up the ceiling glass was imaginative and the lighting, if needed, would have been exciting.
Perhaps the brown-edged, ailing leaves on the table and wall plant decorations were typical of this establishment's attitude to making what should have been a joyful occasion into one that made us never, ever want to grace it with our presence again.
Elliott Turner
Apr 25, 2022
Not quite the shabby cheque it used to be. Now it's just a bit shabby. The dining room was grubby, they had not cleaned the carpet for days and the building smelt horsey. Expensive food and wine, none of which were top quality, rather put the cap on it all. It used to be our favourite local restaurant but it needs to pull its socks up.
Hummyp
Apr 05, 2022
I found this hotel after searching 'family friendly hotels' on google. And it was just that! Not just child friendly, but very child centred. Staff are friendly and pay attention to all the small details to make it a lovely stay for adults and children. The garden area has Wendy houses and animals, our little one was delighted. The front outdoor area has a trampoline, swing, fairy garden and activities.
We stayed on a weekday during term time so there weren't many other families, but I can imagine the hotel is very organised even when they are busy. The swimming facilities were great, can't comment on the spa as we didn't use it. Hotel food was delicious & the room was spacious. Would absolutely love to stay again.
We stayed on a weekday during term time so there weren't many other families, but I can imagine the hotel is very organised even when they are busy. The swimming facilities were great, can't comment on the spa as we didn't use it. Hotel food was delicious & the room was spacious. Would absolutely love to stay again.
Dean Matthews
Apr 05, 2022
This is not a luxury hotel! We leave so very disappointed after the service and expectations set by your website leave us wanting in every area. Service at dinner both evenings and breakfast have been very poor, I think we were forgotten in the side room on our first evening, and being shown to the heavily stained seats for breakfast the next day for breakfast made our hearts sink.
From luke warm prosecco, orders for adult dinners only bring taken after the children have finished eating, having to ask both evenings where the food was 45 mins after ordering just makes the experience with small children tiresome and far from enjoyable. The room we were in was simply not big enough for four, with less than a foot at the end of the bed to squeeze past the two camp beds.
The cheap fridge made such a racket when plugged in we couldn't use it. There is such a large gap under the main door to the hotel room we could hear other people's babies crying so clearly at 3am they may as well have been in our room! The radiator was so hot in the bathroom with no temperature control that is scolded my arm. The facilities are tired, broken and unusable trampoline, tired and tatty play facilities for the children and a pool which was shut for part of the day on Saturday and delayed opening on Sunday.
The new pizzas cafe was the only highlight, as were the staff who are clearly all lovely but either not trained sufficiently or so understaffed that they are fighting a losing battle in terms of delivering anything close to good service. Would I come here again, no. Would I recommend it to others, no. I cannot believe we have spent so much money on such a poor stay.
From luke warm prosecco, orders for adult dinners only bring taken after the children have finished eating, having to ask both evenings where the food was 45 mins after ordering just makes the experience with small children tiresome and far from enjoyable. The room we were in was simply not big enough for four, with less than a foot at the end of the bed to squeeze past the two camp beds.
The cheap fridge made such a racket when plugged in we couldn't use it. There is such a large gap under the main door to the hotel room we could hear other people's babies crying so clearly at 3am they may as well have been in our room! The radiator was so hot in the bathroom with no temperature control that is scolded my arm. The facilities are tired, broken and unusable trampoline, tired and tatty play facilities for the children and a pool which was shut for part of the day on Saturday and delayed opening on Sunday.
The new pizzas cafe was the only highlight, as were the staff who are clearly all lovely but either not trained sufficiently or so understaffed that they are fighting a losing battle in terms of delivering anything close to good service. Would I come here again, no. Would I recommend it to others, no. I cannot believe we have spent so much money on such a poor stay.
Geoff Fox
Mar 22, 2022
AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO PREPURCHASED FOR 70TH BIRTHDAY TREAT On arrival we were shown to a small table at the side of a dining room. We were asked what drinks we would like from the menu. After 15 mins they did arrive. Another wait for 15 mins saw the food arrive. 4 little finger sandwiches, 1 small pastry, 3 small cakes, 2 scones. This was for 2 people?
By this time we were getting rather annoyed as customers arriving after us were receiving plenty of attention and their food was arriving before ours and was a lot more. I felt as though I should complain but my wife said NO as it would further ruin the treat. I took a picture. we ate up. and left. We felt like 2nd class citizens. It was not pleasant.
By this time we were getting rather annoyed as customers arriving after us were receiving plenty of attention and their food was arriving before ours and was a lot more. I felt as though I should complain but my wife said NO as it would further ruin the treat. I took a picture. we ate up. and left. We felt like 2nd class citizens. It was not pleasant.
Julia Dineen
Mar 05, 2022
A really lovely family hotel. Staff all very friendly and welcoming, Woolley Bear den is a fab idea and our sons loved it. Relaxing spa treatments and lots to see and do in the grounds. Food was absolutely delicious but I'd advise some sides or full 3 courses. Thank you Woolley Grange we'll be back.
Jiten Vadukul
Feb 11, 2022
Just returned from a fantastic few days at the Woolley Grange Hotel - it came highly recommended to us and I'm pleased to say that the Hotel met our expectations. In some ways, it exceeded them - particularly their attention to childcare and the food. We loved the wifi-range baby monitors which the hotel provide and also the creche service. Breakfast was always excellent with a wide variety of options.
Dinner was also very good as well as the cocktails. Our children very much enjoyed exploring the grounds, which are lovely. A special mention to Fred, Dillon and Adam who were all very helpful and accommodating. We'll definitely be making a return trip in the future.
Dinner was also very good as well as the cocktails. Our children very much enjoyed exploring the grounds, which are lovely. A special mention to Fred, Dillon and Adam who were all very helpful and accommodating. We'll definitely be making a return trip in the future.
Debora Worrall
Nov 15, 2021
Beautiful Jacobean Manor. We didn't stay there but went for a three course Sunday dinner. Very relaxed atmosphere. The food was very good. The roast beef melted in your mouth. Beautifully presented. The staff were really friendly and helpful. It was a real treat and we said we would love to come back and stay over.
