OPENING SHOT

In Selsdon Park, a Dated Gothic Manor Evolves Into a Serene Hotel

Thanks to a meticulous refresh by London’s own A-nrd studio that uncovers hidden details throughout a verdant 19th-century property and lets them shine, the latest property from award-winning lifestyle concept Birch strikes a “home away from home” ambiance.

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BIRCH (SELSDON)

Location: Selsdon Park, London.

Designer: A-nrd

On Offer: Nestled among 200 rolling, verdant acres of fields and forests 30 minutes south of London, a 19th-century manor has been transformed into the latest Birch property thanks to an extensive restoration by Alessio Nardi and Lukas Persakovas of A-nrd studio. The pair mixed thoughtful renovations of existing details, from the lobby’s decorative stone walls to the paned glass windows and doors leading to the sunny orangerie, with signature custom furnishings like oak-and-steel wardrobes and sage-veneer headboards for the 181 bedrooms and suites. 

Michelin-starred chef Lee Westcott similarly refreshes Victorian sensibilities at Vervain, serving shepherd’s pie and rhubarb trifle at rattan booths covered in corduroy velvet. The all-day Meadow bar is an apricot-bright spot for an aperitif, while the Snug bar offers cozier nightcaps at a vintage travertine cocktail table near the original timber-and-stone fireplace. 

Standout Features: Sebastian Cox’s thoughtful rewilding project of the estate grounds left A-nrd with wood-to-craft guest room side tables, large oak communal tables in the Hive co-working space, and tables and booths in the restaurants. And the studio selected contemporary arts and crafts to keep things feeling fresh: Yarn Collective recycled linen into elegant curtains and recycled boucle into seating upholstery throughout the hotel, while Michael Ruh Studio blew recycled glass by hand into amber-and-olive-green custom wall lights made mustard and burnt orange recycled linen curtains for the guest rooms. 



(All photography by Adam Lynk.)

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