The Vineyard is a hotel, restaurant and spa based near

Newbury, Berkshire Newbury is a market town in the county of Berkshire, England, and is home to the administrative headquarters of West Berkshire Council. The town centre around its large market square retains a rare medieval Cloth Hall, an adjoining half timbere ...

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

rated 5-star prior to 2014. It has won a number of awards and was in 2015 the primary restaurant of Chef Daniel Galmiche . It has 49 rooms and suites, dining room, spa and conference/event facilities. It is a part of the

Relais & Châteaux Relais & Châteaux is an association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants. The group currently has about 580 members in 68 countries on five continents. Predominantly represented in Europe, the association is grow ...

group and a member of Pride of Britain Hotels.

History

The building was originally an 18th-century hunting lodge owned by the Foley family, who owned land locally. Grace, daughter of Thomas

Lord Foley Baron Foley is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Great Britain, both times for members of the same family. The first creation came in 1712 in favour of Thomas Foley, who had earlier represented Stafford in the House of Co ...

, wife of James Hamilton

Earl of Clanbrassil Earl of Clanbrassil was a title that was created twice in the Peerage of Ireland, both times for members of the Hamilton family. Clanbrassil was the name of an old Gaelic territory (''Clann Bhreasail'') in what is now the barony of Oneilland Eas ...

(Viscount Limerk, Baron Clanboy) was the last of the Foley family. She died in 1748 without an heir and the land was sold to a Rev. Hartley in the mid 19th Century. The lodge was later owned by the Sutton Estate. By the 1960s the building was rented out as flats. In 1969, Foley Lodge was converted into a restaurant and banqueting centre. In 1978 it was refurbished as The Foley Lodge hotel. Sir Peter Michael purchased the property in 1996 and relaunched it under the current name 'The Vineyard' in March 1998. The hotel is owned by the Michael family, headed by

Sir Peter Michael Sir Peter Colin Michael (born 17 June 1938) is a British engineer and businessman whose interests include radio and wine-making. Peter Michael grew up in Croydon, the son of Albert and Enid Michael. His father was the chairman of the London phil ...

, who was one of the founders of Classic FM.

Art collection

The hotel features sculpture and paintings by

Diane Maclean Diane Maclean is a sculptor and environmental artist, she is a Fellow and council member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. Maclean gained a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from the University of Hertfordshire, having previously gained a BA ...

, William Pye, Henri Martin,

Ronald Searle Ronald William Fordham Searle, CBE, RDI (3 March 1920 – 30 December 2011) was an English artist and satirical cartoonist, comics artist, sculptor, medal designer and illustrator. He is perhaps best remembered as the creator of St Trinian's S ...

Boris Smirnoff Boris Smirnoff (1903 - 2007) was a Franco-Russian cubist, avant-gardist and analytical art painter. Boris Smirnoff was born in Russia. He had two brothers - Alexander and Vladimir. He was the youngest son. Vladimir was known as the artist-amat ...

and

Doris Zinkeisen Doris Clare Zinkeisen (31 July 1898 – 3 January 1991) was a Scottish theatrical stage and costume designer, painter, commercial artist, and writer. She was best known for her work in theatrical design. Early life Doris Zinkeisen was born in C ...

Awards and recognitions

* ''Restaurant of the Year 2012'' - Decanter Magazine/ Laurent Perrier Awards * Sommelier of the Year 2011 (Yohann Jousselin) * AA - 5 Red Stars * Rising Chef - Relais & Châteaux Trophies (Daniel Galmiche) * Good Spa Guide 2012 – Best Customer Service shortlist * Imbibe Wine List of the Year 2012

External links

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vineyard Hotel Hotels in Berkshire