staying at Pendley Manor in Tring: a funky English manor house hotel
Pendley Manor Hotel is an idyllic manor house hotel in the Midlands you didn’t know you were looking for! With elegant rooms and scenic surroundings, you’ll want to hurry and book your stay. Thiis article provides an in-depth review of the hotel and its amenities.
Tucked away down a tree-lined driveway is Pendley Manor, Tring’s premier, luxury accommodation. Funky, patterned wallpaper covers the recently renovated rooms and corridors of this Grade II-listed manor. Peacocks roam the pristine 35 acres the hotel sits on in rural Hertfordshire. Combine all the beauty of Pendley with its proximity to Harry Potter Studios and you’ve got yourself a winning UK getaway.
This was our second time staying at Pendley Manor. Our first stay was over our “Would Be Wedding Weekend” last September when we spent the weekend there with Luke’s family to make the most of their reservations, as they were non-refundable. We had a celebratory cake, a fancy dinner, and phenomenal weather.
During this second stay, the weather was less than fabulous, but the company well made up for it. Luke, my sister, her husband, and I used up the last of the vouchers my family members’ received in exchange for their non-refundable stays before they expire this summer. As we’ve completely changed our wedding venue and location, we decided to splash out with our vouchers before their expiry date. It also seemed like a good way to kick off our summer travels. Good company, board games, and an open tab— sounds like the makings of a perfect weekend away to me. I love Pendley so much, I decided to write a {totally unsponsored} blog post about it our visits.
how to get to Pendley manor ↴
Pendley Manor is conveniently right around the corner from the Tring train station. It’s only a 40{ish}-minute train ride from London Euston Station to Tring. Super Off-Peak Return journeys from London Euston to Tring typically cost about £15.30. If you’re looking at train options from elsewhere in the UK, check for availability and routes here.
Alternatively, you could always rent a car. This is almost always my UK travel preference, especially in rural areas, as it gives you a bit more freedom to explore. You should, however, consider the cost or availability of parking. This isn’t something to worry about in Tring but is a good thing to keep in mind if you’re renting a car to visit major cities in the UK.
rooms + rates ↴
My favourite thing about the rooms at Pendley Manor is that they’re all so different! The bold wallpapers combined with the eccentric furniture and bright decorative details make each room completely unique. Our {non} honeymoon stay had us sleeping in an upgraded suite with a comfy lounge area and a large bathroom. The bed itself was absolutely massive, so you can imagine the bedroom was enormous. The junior suite we stayed in on our second visit included a table, chaise lounge, and vaulted ceilings. All rooms come with a fancy little Nespresso machine and kettle, with complimentary teas and biscuits to keep you satisfied.
Classic Double rooms start from £116 per night, but rooms jump up exponentially from there in price and space. For instance, the Dorian Williams Suite is £422 per night but features a super-king-size, four-poster bed, a lounge space, and a 65” LED television.
on-site amenities ↴
Pendley Manor is right down the road from Tring’s town center, giving you easy access to all sorts of things to see and do. However, there’s so much to enjoy on Pendley Manor’s premises that you don’t have to leave to make the most of your time there.
spa + salon
One of the many perks of a stay at Pendley is the spa and salon on-site. A wide range of treatments are available for you to book including facials, massages, pedicures, and manicures. I booked in for a facial that was on special during our second stay. I left with seriously glowy skin and from my shoulders up I felt entirely rejuvenated. It’s recommended that you book your treatments in advance since time slots get filled up quickly.
gym facilities
The gym facilities at Pendley are separated into three rooms: fitness studio, weights, and cardio machines. Luke and I used the weight room in the early mornings and were surprised it had everything we wanted including free weights, resistance bands, and machines. Due to COVID-19, up to three people can use each room at a time, currently. Sanitizer and wipes are available in each room to clean all the weights and machines after you use them.
Shakespeare Bar
Shakespeare Bar is where we played board games for hours on end while it rained outside during my second stay at Pendley. Comfy armchairs and little round tables scattered in a large room with a giant fireplace makes for quite the cosy atmosphere, ya dig? Any drink you’d like they can whip up whether it’s on the drinks menu or not. They made special hot chocolates for us after our walk around the grounds left us feeling chilled to the bone. Shakespeare Bar also has its own food menu. Over the course of our two different stays, the groups pretty much covered the menu. Vegan and gluten-free options are a little lacking to be honest, but there are veggie alternatives and I sometimes wonder if we had let them know further ahead of time of dietary requirements if they could have been more accommodating.
Oak Restaurant
Pendley’s Oak Restaurant is award-winning. It serves up British classics with a modern twist— think Deconstructed Leek and Potato Soup. All the ingredients used are locally sourced wherever possible and are served in an artful way. It will make you feel like you’re eating at a Michelin star restaurant, with better portions and less pretense. During our second stay, the four of us booked a three-course dinner that made us so full the rest of our night consisted of watching Eurovision and playing Exploding Kittens in our sweatpants. I highly recommend the Asparagus and Pea Risotto, although it isn’t vegan {made with parmesan cheese}.
Peacock Lounge
Pendley serves up a gorgeous afternoon tea in their airy conservatory otherwise known as the Peacock Lounge {pictured left}. It has plants hanging from the ceiling and mismatched seating that echoes the decor in Shakespeare Bar. Afternoon tea is served from 1 PM to 5:30 PM. You’ll want to book afternoon tea in advance to make sure dietary needs are covered and that there is available space.
a few quick iPhone snaps from our Pendley Manor stays
what’s nearby ↴
Okay, so you’re sold on the interior and the amenities, but…what is there to actually do in Tring?! I’m so glad you asked! I’ve created a weekender’s guide to Tring here. I’ve also made a quick map below of the nearby attractions, parks, and eateries I think you’ll love.