Great Western Coffee Shop

Our final night offering accommodation at Well House Manor (http://www.wellhousemanor.co.uk) - it's been nearly 11 years and it's been fun, but we've got too diversified and we're pruning back some of our interests to do fewer things better - those fewer things including most of my transport interests.

We're going out on a memorable evening - full house, with first guests already dolled up, perfumed and off to a wedding, and more just arrived with boxes of beer.   Just not sure if it will memorable(good) or memorable(bad) yet ... and of course as a hotelier I would never tell you anyway.  Tomorrow, as an ex-hotelier, I may just spill a few beans.

We remain open for courses, meetings, conferences, etc - several booked for later this month, but that element will be moving (moving, you note - not closing) in a few weeks, and that include rail, bus and museum activities.

I had better be careful - as an ex-resident the ex-hotelier might spill a few beans about me!

Seriously though I have stayed at Well House Manor a few times and always had an enjoyable time.  I totally understand the reasons why Graham is scaling back but I will miss the well appointed rooms and the cheese and ham at breakfast!

My last stay was in May but there was no "end of term" feeling about the place.  High standards to the end - always best to go out at the top of your game!

Good luck with your next step https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hoSSue1btDg

We haven't put in an offer to take over the running of that place ...

Probably just as well.  The building that was used for the exterior scenes burnt down and the place that inspired it was knocked down!   ;D

However, a large part of the complex where Fawlty Towers was written, produced, filmed and edited will shortly become a hotel.

The front facing offices of the 'Concrete Doughnut', also known as BBC Television Centre on Wood Lane, London, are to be converted into a boutique hotel.

I endorse those comments by bobm: I, too, have stayed at Well House Manor a few times, over the years, and it was absolutely great, every time.  What I will not miss, however, is that fiendish fresh orange juicer machine - it got me, every time!  ::) :o ;D


Due to my Luddite user error, not the machine itself, to be fair.  I also managed to flood the coffee machine, more than once.  :-[

Thank you, gentlemen ... up early for the last breakfast, and I've already been cleaning carpets to remove last night's beer and wine before they set in, cleared away empties, dirty cups and glasses and closed the outside door that was open all night.  These have not been common things, but equally this isn't the first time after a wedding party that takes ove the place for one night (killing previous and next night's business) and expects a discount for their good business.   Goodness knows how much deeper that usual the room changes would be, and all for the income of one night's stay.

There are many things I will miss.  Just a few of them are things I will gladly miss!

When hearing tales like that or seeing the litter left by people on trains and buses I am left wondering what their own homes must look like....

You would be surprised. It seems that, if a building/mode of transport is not their own, then folk seem to treat it with utter contempt. I have seen people with OCD in their own home, treat our local Scout Hut as if it were the local tip (leaders included) and when challenged, come up with the comment 'you have a cleaner don't you?'

As seen today.  Part of the building is still a studio and the famous Television Centre lettering remains although the BBC logo has been removed.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/bbc.jpg)