The post Gretna Hall gets a Makeover appeared first on Gretna Hall.
]]>Originally built in 1710 as a private manor house, Gretna Hall is set in 10 acres of beautiful gardens; the property boasts a total of 97 bedrooms and now offers all the character of a substantial historical building, with the comfort you would expect from a contemporary hotel.
Alasdair Houston, Chairman of Gretna Green Ltd, worked with award-winning, Carlisle based firm, Unwin Jones Partnership to create a contemporary environment, with modern amenities and public areas while remaining sensitive to the original building. Alasdair Houston commented:
“This ‘grand old lady’ had been showing her age after being rather unloved by previous owners before we were able to bring her back into the heart of our business at Gretna Green. The historic building has a wonderful heritage which we wanted to celebrate, alongside creating the sort of timeless, stylish environment that our colleagues and guests deserve. Gretna Hall now complements our sister hotels and is another major step forward in the elevation of Gretna Green as a world-class, international destination for business, leisure and weddings.”
Gretna Hall’s interior design is a modern interpretation of a Scottish manor house. Using eclectic design shapes, plaid and plain fabric of various textures and a colour palette inspired by the Scottish countryside, the result is a comfortable and luxurious setting.
Our favourite features of the renovation include:
- Bespoke artwork featuring photographs, messages and historical images of the building, its visitors and romantic past.
- Custom-designed wallpaper inspired by the countless handwritten love notes and marriage proposals sent to the property through the ages.
- Individually designed bedroom suites featuring luxury amenities.
- Interior design elements including new furniture, wallpaper, carpeting, and lighting in all suites and public areas.
- Completely updated dining room and bar, offering a space to relax and unwind.
The original house now offers five individually designed bedroom suites, all named after famous aristocratic couples who wed at Gretna Hall during the 1800s:
- Wakefield Turner: 8th March 1826 – The infamous tale of Edward Gibbon Wakefield and Ellen Turner who Married at Gretna Hall causing scandal in Georgian England.
- Sheridan Grant: 17th May 1835 – Richard Brinsley Sheridan, grandson of the poet Sheridan, to Marcia Maria Grant, the only surviving child and heiress of Sir Colquhoun Grant of Frampton Court.
- Queensbury Clayton: On 28th May 1840 – Lord Archibald Drumlanrig, son and heir of the Marquis of Queensbury, to Caroline Clayton, daughter of General Sir William Robert Clayton.
- Ibbetson Villiers: 6th November 1844 – Captain Charles Park Ibbetson, to Lady Adela Corisande Maria Child Villiers, daughter of the Earl of Jersey.
- Bourbonne Smythe Junior: 7th May 1836 – Carlo Ferdinando Bourbonne, Prince of the Two Sicilies and Prince of Capua, to Penelope Cardine Smythe: Prince Carlo was a younger brother of Ferdinand II of Naples.
Come and see the transformation for yourself! Call 01461 338257 or email [email protected] to make a booking or why not join us for a drink in our new lounge?
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Easter is one of our favourite times of the year where we spend some quality time with our families, enjoy the first signs of spring and of course overindulge in chocolate, guilt-free! Here at Gretna Green we have a range of fun activities planned to keep the whole family entertained.
1) Find the Easter Bunny
Your little ones will love this free Easter bunny hunt! Find 7 Easter bunnies hidden around our shopping complex to win a lovely goodie bag.
2) Family Fun in the Sun
We have our fingers crossed that the sun will make an appearance this Easter weekend. If you’re heading to Gretna Green, take in some fresh spring air at our Courtship Maze, Sculpture Garden and Outdoor Play Park – free family fun!
3) Stock up on Easter Treats
Easter wouldn’t be the same without… CHOCOLATE! Whether you’re a milk, white or dark chocolate fan – we have an impressive selection to choose from at our shopping complex. Looking for a chocolate-free alternative? We also have a range of handpicked gifts from seasonal tea sets to Peter Rabbit merchandise.
4) Explore Gretna Green and the Solway Coast
Spend some quality time in Gretna Green and the Solway Coast. This short break includes quality accommodation at Greens or Gretna Hall with full Scottish breakfast each morning and an evening meal each night. On the Tuesday explore the Solway Coast across the border and see Gretna Green from the other side of the water. Take advantage of your 10% discount voucher to use within our Famous Blacksmiths Visitor Attraction and shopping complex on the Wednesday. Plus, discover the secrets of Gretna Green at our museum. You might even see a wedding or two! For availability and bookings please call 01461 337621 and quote code ‘SOLWAY.’
5) Meet the Easter Bunny
We are welcoming a very special guest to the Blacksmiths Restaurant on Easter Sunday between 12 noon and 3pm. The Easter Bunny himself will be here and will be giving out free chocolate eggs to the children. Bring the whole family along for a hearty two course carvery, including a main course of gammon or turkey served with a Yorkshire pudding, fresh seasonal vegetable medley and roast or mash potatoes, followed by a delicious dessert of sticky toffee pudding or fruit crumble. All for £8.99! Call 01461 338365 to book a table.
6) Easter with a Difference
Fancy trying something different? Gretna Hall has the answer. Make your Good Friday GREAT with Fizz Friday – sparkling cocktails only £5.00 each! Or start a new family tradition at Gretna Hall’s Easter Sunday Indo-Asian Curry Buffet – £18.00 per person for a three course buffet. Call 01461 338257 to book. Plus, experience some fantastic live music from acoustic singer, Jonny Lopez, on Easter Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm.
What do you have planned this Easter? Let us know in the comments below. Happy Easter from all of us at Gretna Green.
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]]>The post Mother’s Day at Gretna Hall appeared first on Gretna Hall.
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With Mother’s Day just around the corner we thought we would give you a helping hand in planning a day to spoil your Mum. Here are some ideas that promise to impress on Mother’s Day.
· Get her a gorgeous Gretna gift
Haven’t got your present sorted yet? Don’t worry – we have a great selection here at Gretna. Treat her to some beautiful clothing or accessories from Joules (you can’t go wrong with a pair of socks!) or maybe she’d prefer something new for her jewellery box? Our favourite is this stunning Swarovski love bracelet. Call into our stores for last minute inspiration or why not take advantage of our Free Standard Delivery* offer.
· Tea for two – her and you
How to make Mum super happy? Give her champagne, sandwiches, cakes and tea! At Smith’s they don’t do things by halves, so you’re guaranteed to indulge in the finest of refreshments served on their best vintage-style crockery. Banana bread with caramel icing, macaroons**, Pimms & Strawberry trifle, fondant fancies, éclairs, Victoria sponge, chocolate tart with Chantilly cream, popping candy & honeycomb, scones, gin & tonic sorbet, delectable finger sandwiches and soup all accompanied by a lovely pot of tea or coffee – who could resist? There’s still time to make a reservation by calling 01461 337007.
· Pamper her at Spoilt Salon
Show your love and appreciation with Spoilt Salon vouchers. Your Mum can choose from a range of relaxing treatments including rejuvenating facials, manicures, pedicures or a relaxing massage. Let the Spoilt Salon team make your Mum their number one priority as they promise complete relaxation and escapism. To book please call 01461 336002.
· Dine in style
Sunday night is curry night here at Gretna Hall! Treat your Mum to an all you can eat Indonesian Asian experience this Mother’s Day and start a new Sunday tradition with your family. Dine in style in our newly modernised restaurant and relax as our staff look after you throughout the evening. There’s still a few places available, so to avoid disappointment call 01461 338 257 to make a reservation.
We would like to wish all Mum’s a very happy, relaxing Mother’s Day. We hope you get spoilt and pampered all day long. Don’t forget to let us know what you did to celebrate!
* Free Standard Delivery on all orders over £50.00.
** Flavours subject to change. Please notify us about any dietary restrictions/allergies at time of booking.
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]]>The post All that glitter don’t have to be gold! appeared first on Gretna Hall.
]]>As we reach the end of our second week of refurbishment, we are very excited to announce that 2 of our rooms, the Annandale and Criffel Function Suites are nearing completion; as we prepare to re-open our doors next week!
We are more than a little bit in love with the silver shimmering wallpaper which now adorns the walls of the functions suites and we can’t wait for you all to join us and see it for yourself.
So… what’s new this week? Have a look below at all the excitement!
The Annandale gets its lovely new decoration…
The Criffel Bar is getting a makeover…
We have a new set of stairs down to reception…
Work has begun in creating our new, intimate dining booths… one circular and two rectangular
And progress continues on the new bar area…
Make sure to keep checking back to see more of the progress at Gretna Hall!
Thanks for looking,
Team Gretna Hall x
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]]>The post What a difference a week makes appeared first on Gretna Hall.
]]>Fast as we can
You wouldn’t think that 7 days could make so much of a difference, but we are amazed by the speed our refurb team are working at to get us back open in just 2 more weeks’ time!
Already, we have the dropped ceilings in, to allow us to create more mood lighting and intimate spaces; our bar and restaurant now have a great open-plan flow and the bar area is ready for its new wood-panelling.
Wood you believe it
We did, unfortunately, have to lose a tree this week – one which has stood in the grounds of Gretna Hall for hundreds of years! This was pretty devastating for all of us here, but our trusted tree surgeon informs us, he was already off to the forest in the sky and we couldn’t risk it falling on to the road. That said… we were very sad to see it go and the wood will not be wasted!
Meeting of the minds
Today also saw a progress meeting take place here at Gretna Hall, as the minds in charge of bringing this magnificent new look to our treasured hotel, discussed the next steps!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to keep up with the excitement and any news and information! Plus we will be introducing some celebratory offers soon!
Thanks for reading
Gretna Hall xx
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]]>The post The start of a new chapter at Gretna Hall appeared first on Gretna Hall.
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Today marks a momentous occasion in Gretna Hall’s 308-year-old history as we begin the next phase of our refurbishment!
We started with our suites and reception area, this time last year in 2017 and now, we move on to the next exciting step in our plans as we begin work on our bar, restaurant, lounge and the Criffel and Annandale function suites!
A look at the before:
And so it begins:
So what can you expect from our new look public areas?
The heritage of Gretna Hall is extremely important to us, but we equally want to give this beautiful building the love it deserves and our guests the 21st century luxuries and comforts that they want when they visit; so our goal is a delicate juxtaposition of old and new, historic and modern – all keeping to our heather purple theme.
Can’t quite imagine it? Then take a look at the mood boards below. These are the designer’s way of giving the overall goal for the look interiors and not an artist’s impression of the final result; but they do give a nice idea of what type of furnishings, colour schemes and accessories will soon adorn Gretna Hall hotel.
A new look Coach House too…
If you have been to our gorgeous hotel in December or over the festive period, you may have noticed some additional work taking place inside our prestigious ‘Courtyard’. That’s because we are also working to add some tasteful improvements to our famous ‘Coach House’ marriage room, including our fabulous reclaimed pews and the addition of a log burner!
Here are some progress photos from our work on the Coach House:
Ch..ch..ch..changes…
To keep up to date with all the excitement of our Gretna Hall 2018 Refurbishment, please follow us on Facebook. You can find our page here: @Gretnahall
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Okay , so we know that our lovely Manor House has been looking a little tired of late, and we know our rooms are in need of a little TLC. Trust us when we say – all in good time… We’re just about to announce some exciting plans for some much needed love, care and attention for this historic hall… We just had to get our ‘ducks in a row’ as they say and get some much needed insulation installed so that when we do get those real fires ‘roaring’ in the reception and lounge areas that the heat simply doesn’t just go straight back out again… how annoying would that be?
Going forwards, our refurbishment program will start with the bridal suites and the reception area… We just can’t wait, this beautiful Georgian building is so popular – we want to make sure that it looks its best for all our visitors…
Stay tuned, exciting times are yet to come…!
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]]>Gretna Green Group have something for everyone this year. We have various themed parties still available as well as excellent dining options to suit everyone’s tastes!
We also have something for all the family on Saturday 18th December 2016 where you get to meet Santa!
As well as Christmas we have some cracking New Year offers available for you all, to ensure you close off 2016 and bring in the New Year of 2017 with a bang!
Prices start from as little as £20.00 per person for a festive party and New Year’s Day you could be continuing your celebrations from as little as £14 per person. ..
Call our friendly team on 01461 336001 for more information on any of our packages or to confirm any of our venues before it’s a sell out!
We look forward to seeing you all soon at Gretna Green…
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Gretna Hall are offering an amazing value wedding package this Winter. Only £500 to marry, celebrate and stay within a luxury room, surrounded by 8 of your special guests.
Call our friendly wedding team on 01461 336001 for more information or to book any of our venues.
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]]>The post It’s Official… Gretna Hall is Now Part of Gretna Green Ltd appeared first on Gretna Hall.
]]>Gretna Green Ltd has bought 97-bedroom Gretna Hall, one of the region’s biggest hotels, for an undisclosed sum.
It is the third hotel that the business has added over the last 10 years, starting with the creation of the Smiths Hotel at Gretna Green in 2006.
The rescue of the former Garden House Hotel, on the England-Scotland border, from administration and its transformation to Greens at Gretna – including a £1 million makeover – added a second in 2014.
Gretna Hall, a historic marriage house at Gretna Green, is just a stone’s throw from Smiths.
The venue had been owned by a London-based property firm since 2006 and employs about 55 staff.
Its new owners are starting to pull plans together for its future.
Alasdair Houston, who heads the farming, tourism and hospitality firm, said: “Gretna Hall joining our family of businesses allows us to continue our work of strengthening Destination Gretna Green for locals and visitors alike.”
The hotel has special significance to the Houston family, being the manor house for Gretna Estate, which his great-grandfather bought in 1885.
Mr Houston, also a director of Carlisle-based auctioneering-to-printing company H&H Group, added: “The team working at Gretna Hall have done a great job, but for many years there has been no clear leadership and vision for the future.
“The business has not been getting the love, care and attention that it deserves.
“We hope to put that right and offer opportunities for existing and new members of staff to develop and join us on our journey as the business grows.
“There will be many challenges ahead but I believe that much will be achieved with a clear vision, good communication and great teamwork.”
As well as its hotels, Gretna Green Ltd owns and operates the Famous Blacksmith’s Shop attraction in Gretna Green, Scotland’s most visited privately-owned attraction. It employs about 300 people.
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