Brownsword seeks approval to convert historic Bath manor into country house hotel

Brownsword Hotels has submitted a planning application to convert the historic Kelston Park outside Bath into a 30-bedroom country house hotel.

The building is currently used for office space as well as being the headquarters of the Andrew Bownsword Collection, named for the hotel group’s founder. The group, which includes Gidleigh Park hotel on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, as well as the Bath Priory hotel, has said the current use is not profitable enough to cover the repairs needed to protect the building.

A change of use application for the Grade-II* listed property, parts of which date back to the 1760s, has been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council, alongside plans for its conversion.

The plans include two restaurants, a bar and lounge area, billiards room and sitting area. The group has said minimal alterations would be required to the fabric of the main house, with the majority of work needed in the service wings, which were later additions.

The property incorporates a listed walled garden, which the group has said is also in need of repair. Surrounding parklands are not included in the application, but the group suggests work would also be undertaken to improve these.

Brownsword Hotels comprises 13 hotels and was named AA Hotel Group of the Year 2017-18.