The Hundred House Hotel is a charming, family run hotel in Norton, situated in the rolling countryside close to Shropshire’s beautiful Severn Valley.
The traditional hotel is well known for its stunning garden, home to diverse flowers, trees, and over 100 varieties of herbs, which provide the seasonal tastes to the kitchen. The Hundred House Hotel boasts nine individually decorated rooms, many with the famous Hundred House swing hanging from the oak beams – you’re guaranteed a unique stay at The Hundred House Hotel thanks to their quirky deco and unrivalled service.
We recently caught up with Stuart Phillips, Managing Partner and Executive Chef at The Hundred House Hotel to find out all about the challenges of running a hotel during a global pandemic, life at The Hundred House Hotel, and his favourite things to do in Norton.
A Family Affair at The Hundred House Hotel…
Stuart explains ‘As a family, we are passionate about all things hospitality and have looked after the Hundred House Hotel for over 35 years. I trained in Michelin star restaurants in France, London and Chester, before returning back to the comfort of home 26 years ago, to oversee the hotel’s kitchen team, operations and to ensure our guests have the most enjoyable stay.’
It really is a family affair at The Hundred House Hotel, as Stuart goes on to explain ‘My wife Jo heads up marketing and sales for the hotel, and my father Henry, and brother David play their part in keeping The Hundred House looking its best, from keeping the beer in top condition to maintaining our beautiful garden.’
Covid Challenges…
‘Like all other hospitality businesses, covid has created challenges for us, including moving hundreds of wedding bookings (multiple times) following the changing government restrictions. Our fantastic team worked tirelessly to ensure our valued couples remained informed and confident about their bookings with us.’
‘Last summer, when we got the green light to reopen, thanks to reduced capacity and social distancing we knew we had to do something different to ensure our guests felt safe, whilst also providing a unique experience. We ended up erecting one of our wedding tents and completely decorated it so that it felt like a seamless extension to the hotel. What started as ‘Street Food Saturdays’ where customers could sample a selection of small plates, soon turned into a daily affair with pizzas, tacos, burgers and kebabs on offer for diners to choose from.’
Top Tips of visiting The Hundred House Hotel…
If you’re planning a short getaway to The Hundred House Hotel, we asked Stuart where he would recommend guests explore first. ‘If you can bring yourself to leave the comfort of the hotel then there is plenty to keep you occupied. Just a 10-minute drive away is Irongbridge Gorge, or close by is the Dudmaston Estate, where you pass through stunning wooded parkland and sweeping gardens. You could also visit Weston Park, Severn Valley Railway, or Cosford Air Museum.’
The Hundred House Hotel is open for overnight stays and indoor dining, in line with the current Covid-19 guidelines.
