The Grove has introduced two new self-contained luxury cottages this summer.
Opened in June, Wisteria cottage and Dingle cottage have been crafted with families and long-stay guests in mind, blending the comfort of a private home with five-star service and sophistication.
Under the creative direction of Martin Hulbert Design (MHD) , the creative studio behind The Grove’s mansion rooms and the recently revitalised Walled Garden, Wisteria Cottage has undergone a complete transformation.
This soulful, richly textured retreat draws inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape with interiors that feature organic tones and a diverse mix of materials – linen, mohair, ceramics and architectural metal detailing – creating a tactile and inviting environment.
The design approach blends old and new, featuring bespoke elements such as tiled fireplaces and log burners. The conservatory’s vibrant tiles and floors laid with pearlescent quarry tiles offer a modern take on traditional cottage style.
Personal touches are evident throughout, from handcrafted rugs to bespoke furniture pieces, including a coffee table made from specially sourced elm by John Harris, whose work also features in the main hotel lobby.
MHD has curated a mix of vintage and contemporary art, enhancing the character and sense of history throughout each cottage, while commissioned ceramics add further layers of texture and personality.
Embracing the challenges of Wisteria Cottage’s original structure, a once awkward, partition divided bedroom has been transformed into a highlight feature with bespoke shutters, fabric walling imbued with intricate embroidery plus a large window with sweeping countryside views.
Wisteria and Dingle Cottages – with two and three bedrooms respectively – both span two stories and offer generous living, kitchen and dining spaces, offering privacy while providing access to the resort’s 300-acres and guest facilities.
Each property also includes private parking, a personal buggy, fully-stocked pantries and no set arrival or check-out times, and Wisteria Cottage exclusively features a private jacuzzi in the garden.
“Connection to nature was central to our approach, all of the colours used are natural, organic tones,” says MHD Design Director Jay Grierson. “We wanted the cottages to feel homely, like a quintessentially English cottage, but with a modern, slightly urban twist.”
MHD Design Director Emma Webster adds: “With the space originally featuring plain white walls and lacking in charm, it was really important for us to bring character through the finishes we chose in order to inject warmth, atmosphere and a real sense of place. We have introduced traditional slipware pottery with a contemporary twist, and had bespoke lamps and select pieces made exclusively for the cottage to give it that layered, crafted feel.”
