Kent: 17th Century manor to reopen as hotel and spa

Plans to convert a historic manor house in Kent into a boutique hotel and spa have been revealed.

Groombridge Place, near Tunbridge Wells, had been "closed for renovations" since March last year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Set to open as The Pig at Groombridge in 2026, bosses say the project represents more than £20m of investment.

Plans for work to the country home and more than 100 acres of surrounding land have now been submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Luxury hotel brand The Pig announced plans to run the 17th Century property as a hotel last year, originally planning to open in 2025.

The firm's chief executive, Tom Ross, said: "It's a wonderful property. It's a well- known building so when it came on the market we were aware of it and thought it would make a fantastic Pig Hotel."

The delay to the opening time is a result of the care needed to carry out renovations at the Grade I listed estate, he said.

"We just wanted to make sure all our ducks were in a row before we submitted them to planning," Mr Ross added.

The main manor house of the estate, which first opened in 1674, is set to host nine en suite bedrooms for guests.

Other buildings on the site will be used for guests, creating 56 bedrooms in total.

The application said that the existing owl and raptor centres will be relocated and improved to be compliant with zoo licence standards.

Aviaries and an outdoor display area for bird shows are currently at the estate, just outside the main garden.

It is not yet known when the council's planning department will decide on the bid.