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By Beverley Nielsen | In 660 AD Ford Abbey was part of the vast manor belonging to Leominster Abbey. Later it was devastated by invading Danes and subsequently rebuilt in 980 as a nunnery by Leofric of Mercia.
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Rich history: the Ford Abbey Hotel | This suffered a sudden end when Swein, son of Earl Godwin, dragged out the Abbess by force and seduced her. The Pateshall family owned the lands from the 15th century until the mid 18th and from the 1840s the estate was rented out, producing rich hop yields up to the advent of the Second World War.
In 1998 it was bought by the present owners, Dr and Mrs Heijn, who converted the manor house and barns into living accommodation, conscious that they’d inherited a group of buildings with histories that stretched far back in time.
Walking around today there is a strong sense of this rich history, together with the care and attention to detail lavished by the Heijn family on the six bedrooms, four self-catering barns, and living and dining facilities.
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The ultimate in flexibillity: the 4-Oven Aga and Falcon cooker | All guest meals are cooked on a 4-oven Aga or the Falcon cooker, which sit side by side in the kitchen.
“We cater for up to 36 covers daily,” says Ford Abbey chef Ben Martin. “I love cooking in this kitchen with the layout, space and the uniqueness of the Aga and Falcon. It’s so easy working with both these cookers and they give me the ultimate in flexibility.
“We’ve a habit of guests coming into the kitchen so they can watch their meals being prepared. They like to do this, especially in the mornings, when they enjoy coming in for a chat. They’re always welcome and they’ll ask me questions about what I’m cooking and sometimes we’re even able to offer each other tips and advice.
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Comfortable surroundings: the sitting room at the Ford Abbey hotel | “We try to use as much food as possible from local sources. Much of our meat comes from the Ford Abbey farm itself – sausages and bacon – with Herefordshire beef and lamb coming from a local butcher. We also get our vegetables from local farmers close to Bromyard and Leominster.”
Further information
Ford Abbey, Pudleston, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 0RZ
Tel: 01568 760 700 or email info@fordabbey.co.uk
Website: www.fordabbey.co.uk
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