First look: Boutique hospitality brand Wildhive to launch with first opening this summer

Wildhive, a boutique hospitality brand ‘rooted in nature’, will launch this summer with the opening of its first property, Callow Hall in Derbyshire.

Ed Burrows and Charles Randall are seeking to create a characterful collection of houses in “wild”, lesser-known parts of the UK, which will feature cabins, pigsties, treehouses and earth dens. Each Wildhive site will have working beehives and a focus on nature .

Burrows and Randall also operate Barnsdale Lodge hotel in Rutland as managing director and financial director, respectively, under a separate company. The pair acquired Callow Hall for £2m in 2018 from David and Joan Hardman, who themselves purchased it out of the Von Essen administration in 2011. At the time, Burrows and Randall said they aimed to have a group of five hotels over the next 10 years.

Built in the 1850s, Callow Hall has undergone an extensive refurbishment overseen by interior designer Isabella Worsley, who previously worked under Kit Kemp on the interiors of Firmdale Hotels. Callow Hall’s aesthetic is described as “relaxed” and “eclectic Britishness”, with bold characterful prints and fabrics and playful artwork by young British artists including Jonathan Schofield.

Surrounded by ancient woodland and 35 acres, the main house has 15 individually designed bedrooms, while within the woodland are 11 one-bedroom woodland hives, also styled by Worsley, which come with a kitchenette and outdoor bathing.

At the far end of the woodland will be two treehouses designed by Blue Forest and geared for self-catering, with open-plan sitting rooms and kitchens, and baths on the decking. Both the hives and treehouses will come with binoculars, as well as sticks and marshmallows for the communal firepit in the woods.

Executive chef David Bukowicki, who previously held the same role at Barnsdale Lodge, will oversee the seasonal food and drink offering using local suppliers. Dishes will include Derbyshire oatcakes with pickled fennel and kohlrabi and a locally sourced steak burger with Dovedale cheese and smoked bacon. The all-day Garden Room restaurant will serve seasonal dishes, while afternoon tea will be served in the Secret Garden, and picnics will also be available.

Callow Hall will have 15 beehives managed by the Derbyshire Bee Society, which will provide honey for the house, as well as a kitchen garden for vegetables and herbs.

The Coach House Wellness Centre will offer an undercover gym area in the landscaped courtyard with rowing machines and interactive bikes. There will also be a yoga studio and a sauna and steam room and three treatment rooms.

Rooms at Callow Hall will start from £179 a night.

Photos: Adam Lynk