The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock

About The Feathers hotel, Woodstock

The Feathers is a 17th Century country townhouse hotel situated in the heart of the historic market town of Woodstock, home to Blenheim Palace, the seat of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

From the front of the hotel – overlooking the restaurant – is a statue that is said to represent the Virgin Mary. This is said to have been found in the building as part of a wall that was probably built during the English Civil War. During the war, traces of Catholicism were to be destroyed, and the only way to keep religious items or statues was to hide or disguise their existence by using them as building materials, i.e. part of a wall.

The front reception area and study was a sanatorium in the late 18th century for people recovering from tuberculosis. “The Feathers House”, to the right of the archway, was originally two storeys and joined to No. 10. In 1888, it was converted to red brick, and a third floor was added, hence the dated plaque at the top of the building.

The reception area of the hotel was a draper’s shop at the turn of the century called Alexander Bryden. The draper’s shop was then taken over by Mr Robinson, who ran this as a butcher’s shop until early 1950. It is said that he roasted an ox on the grounds of Blenheim Palace to celebrate the Queen’s coronation. If you look from the side of the building, you can still see where the shop window was.

The restaurant was once a line of four cottages. If you look carefully from the outside, you can see that by every bay window, there are traces of a doorway or a door still in place. Following the closure of the butcher’s shop and purchase of other houses, the main section of the hotel was bought and converted into a hotel called The Dorchester in the 1960s.

The then “Dorchester” was again sold to a hotelier called Gordon Campbell-Grey, who refurbished the property and placed it firmly on the map as a wonderful place to stay and eat. It was his love of stuffed birds that encouraged the change of name to “The Feathers”.

From the outside, the hotel looks deceptively small, but inside it has a decadent selection of 16 spacious rooms and 5 luxurious suites to choose from, including multiple dog-friendly rooms.

Each room has its own unique charm and generous surroundings; it’s the only way to ensure a perfect night’s sleep. Hotels near Blenheim Palace should remind you of grandeur and indulgence. Why compromise on comfort, quality and space when you can have them all?

You won’t find any unwelcome charges or extras as all rooms come with their own telephone, dedicated housekeeping, room service, wi-fi, flat-screen LCD TVs, complimentary water and Tea/Coffee tray, a hairdryer, crisp cotton sheets and luxurious toiletries to enjoy in the modern spacious ensuites.

Regrettably, The Feathers does not have its own car parking facilities. You will, however, find plenty of on-street parking outside the hotel and around Woodstock at no charge. If you need help with your luggage, please park at the front of the hotel, and they can assist beforehand.

The Feathers is a lovely place for a celebratory meal, relaxed lunch or Afternoon tea treat. The locals know about the bar and The Courtyard too – which is always a good sign. You’ll hear some good gossip if you listen carefully.

Weddings at The Feathers hotel

Taking over the hotel exclusively means that you can tailor-make every aspect of your big day. A reputation for outstanding food and discreet attentive service makes The Feathers a good choice for a celebration.

The exclusive use price includes 42 guests for the whole day and evening (based on 2 people sharing double rooms). However, the restaurant will accommodate 54 guests, meaning that you can invite 12 additional guests who do not require accommodation at the hotel for an extra charge.