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Barton Grange Hotel and venue - Preston UK.

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, your stay at The Barton Grange Hotel will certainly be memorable. Guests return again and again to this family run hotel, drawn by an irresistible blend of warmth, professionalism, humour and first-rate service. Recent refurbishments have created a stylish, contemporary look for the Hotel which nevertheless retains all the traditional charm of the original manor house. Bedrooms are beautifully decorated with superb bathrooms.

Just minutes from the M6 and with masses of free parking, getting to The Barton Grange is easy and hassle free. Once you’re there you’ll find that, with two restaurants, exclusive leisure facilities and even an award-winning garden centre on site, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind. From the peaceful retreat of the oak-panelled lounge, with welcoming fire, to the lively buzz of Healey’s piano bar, there’s something to suit every mood.

Business guests enjoy the luxury of free, high speed wireless internet access, excellent conference facilities and a team of staff well versed in meeting the demands of today’s corporate clients.

Barton Grange was built in 1900, as a country residence for Mr John Healey, a Justice of the Peace and local cotton mill owner.

Levi Collison, described in the deeds as “a country gentleman from St. Annes on Sea”, purchased the house in 1925 and was still living here in 1940 when the house was requisitioned by the War Office as a mess for officers of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Several years ago a guest staying in the hotel explained that he had been the requisitioning officer and that Mr Collison had chased him away with a shotgun and he had had to return with a police officer!

In 1945 Edward and Ada Topping were running a market gardening business in New Longton, west of Preston. Ada was looking for a large house to run as a bed and breakfast whilst Edward continued market gardening from the grounds. Barton Grange appeared to be tailor-made and they successfully purchased it at auction for £6,450. Unfortunately it was not de-requisitioned until 1950, by which time “it was in a dreadful state”.

Nonetheless Ada set about transforming it and opened for business on the 16th July 1951 with 6 bedrooms. Trade increased steadily and bedrooms were added in the 1950s and ‘60s and the ballroom in 1960 before significant expansion in the 1970s and again in the ‘90s.

During the 1996/7 works, plans from 1901 were discovered; for a Walled Garden to the south of the house. This garden was re-created in faithful detail, had a roof put on it and became The Walled Garden Bistro.

The hotel now has 51 bedrooms, a leisure centre, 2 restaurants and conference and banqueting facilities for 300 but the original house is still at its heart. (You can see the lintel announcing “1900” as you enter the panelled lounge through the original front doors – although you’re now twenty yards inside the building at this point!).

In 1963 Edward Topping Junior (“Eddie”) started a garden centre in the grounds – the first in the north west of England. This too started very small, little more than a cabin, but is now very well established and widely known. Eddie also established Barton Grange Landscapes and a wholesale plant growing division, both of which are still going strong and there is another Barton Grange Garden Centre at Bolton. Eddie’s sons Peter and Guy run the Landscape/Wholesale and Garden Centre Divisions respectively.

Eddie also ran the hotel for 20 years from his mother’s retirement in the mid ‘70s before handing over to his other little boy!

Ian Topping, May 2006

We’re not exactly sure what it is we love about hosting Weddings at Barton Grange. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of a great event about to happen, that sense of occasion accompanying every Wedding. Or perhaps it’s the feeling we get knowing that you really are having the best day. Because after all, this is your day, and we’d like to make it the best day for you, your families and your friends.

Our two banqueting rooms are equally worthy of hosting your Wedding celebrations. Meticulously dressed with fine table linens and if you wish, your own personal touches, we will create a truly impressive setting. Whether it’s a smaller more intimate celebration in The Grange Room, or a larger Wedding banquet in the Barton Suite – our approach is always to give you a wedding celebration that is delivered with warmth, genuine friendliness and good humour.

And as for the food! What can we say? Our Chef’s menu choices look impressive, taste superb and always receive glowing compliments. This is where you really can personalise your celebrations – ask us to provide a carvery buffet to die for, pie and peas all round, or our usual silver service for each of your guests – it’s entirely up to you.

Seed Newsvine

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