| It is well known throughout the world that Britain has | | | | captivating countryside hotels. It is not difficult to |
| some of the most enchanting country house hotels in | | | | imagine all the day to day scenes that must have |
| existence. What is possibly not quite so well known is | | | | taken place in front of the imposing stone mantel, |
| that many of these historic buildings have a wealth | | | | the grand Victorian pillared marble or the dark oak |
| of fireplaces that are outstanding examples of their | | | | surround that is embellished with Tudor carvings. |
| era. A large number of these beautiful fireplaces | | | | Clustered around these fires, where a welcoming |
| would not be in existence today if it were not for | | | | blaze of locally cut logs dances and splutters in the |
| the fact that many country hotels were originally old | | | | ample grate, there are usually superb antique fireside |
| manor houses that were only saved or restored for | | | | accessories including huge wicker baskets, cast iron |
| the tourist industry. | | | | companion sets, shiny brass firedogs, dented copper |
| In past times when Britain was a force to be | | | | kettles, worn leather bellows and imposing brass |
| reckoned with a plethora of rich landowners | | | | fenders with studded leather seats. |
| commissioned fireplace masterpieces to be built in | | | | There is endless joy and indeed inspiration to be had |
| natural stone, gothic timber, crumbling red brick, | | | | from visiting hotels purely for their fireside |
| illustrious Adam style and on rare occasions even | | | | experience. Nearly every fireplace is an individual |
| marble. No expense was spared to impress with | | | | model with its own idiosyncrasies, often built over |
| these legendary country properties and the | | | | many weeks by a local craftsman or stonemason. |
| fireplaces, especially in the main hall, were no | | | | There is also the excitement of spotting unusual |
| exception to this overt extravagance. | | | | details such as the exquisite carving of a harvest |
| Residing in what was normally a draughty and | | | | mouse running up the side of the fireplace surround |
| sometimes bitterly cold abode the well-heeled owners | | | | or the well-worn, soot blackened family crest, that |
| of these country houses recognised that in the | | | | centuries after it was chiselled into the soft limestone |
| unpredictable British climate a welcoming and warm | | | | is now barely discernible. |
| hearth was an integral part of comfortable family life. | | | | Such stories these hotel fireplaces could tell. Past |
| In fact the larger and more grand the fireplace the | | | | tales of weary travellers warming their aching bones |
| more the proud owner was regarded as a man of | | | | through great billowing cloaks, sickly children placed |
| substance by his peers. | | | | near the comforting flames, great feasts and even |
| These days a country house hotel of any note, or | | | | political celebrations all centred round the fire. What |
| indeed worth, will consider first and foremost the | | | | are now hotels not so long ago were family homes, |
| comfort and relaxation of their guests and, just like | | | | castles or even monasteries. |
| those great landowners down the ages, are sure to | | | | These well preserved fireplaces now give comfort |
| have a well stoked fire burning in the grate, especially | | | | and pleasure to people needing a well earned break |
| during the cold months of winter. This said many of | | | | or stressed businessmen away from their loved ones. |
| the more intimate owner managed hotels will not be | | | | One thing is for sure, whenever a hotel has plenty of |
| averse to lighting a fire even in summer if the | | | | guests in its midst the seat nearest the fire is always |
| evenings seem chilly. | | | | taken; which only goes to show that even in this |
| There is something very special about sipping | | | | highly technical age we are all bewitched by an open |
| afternoon tea or savouring the dinner menu in front | | | | log fire. |
| of a flickering warming fireplace at one our | | | | |