speech house
The hotel is an unmissable historic building that has been a part of the Forest
of Dean’s scenery since 1669. Set in the centre of the forest, this historic
former hunting lodge is surrounded by one of the only surviving ancient
woodlands in England. Whether you’re visiting this beautiful location for a
weekend break or to explore one of the many walking or cycling routes, The
Speech House is a stop you have to make. Why not pop in for our very traditional
afternoon tea with fine-bone china in the Orangery, or even stay a night in one
of our impressive 7 foot Master Four Poster bed suites, to really get an
understanding of the character this wonderful establishment beholds. The hotel
in an independent family-run hotel and we look forward to giving you the warm
and friendly welcome The Speech House is appreciated for locally. We are happy
to show you around and give you an insight into the historic elements of the
building, there are many original items still available to view. We have shared
some of the highlights to look out for below. We hope you enjoy reading about
our hotel’s history and distinct character. Gill, Peter & Naomi The Hands Family
The Hands Family & Hotels – How it All Began! Peter and Gill Hands started their
business “Tauber Hands Ltd”, shortly after getting married in February 1986.
Their first business, The Hyperion House hotel was a small 18 bedroom 2 star
hotel in Fairford, Gloucestershire, which they purchased and quickly developed
into a very successful 3 star 26 bedroom hotel with a popular restaurant. Naomi,
currently Operations Director at the Speech House was born in 1988 in Fairford,
and lived there with Peter’s daughter, Amanda. Shortly after having sold the
Hyperion House the family moved back to Hereford. Having made this decision to
opt for an “easier” way of life they invested the proceeds from the sale of the
Hyperion into Breinton Court, a self-catering leisure complex on the banks of
the River Wye, just outside Hereford . Katy, their second daughter soon
appeared, and Breinton Court also became the family home for the next 31 years.
Whilst at Breinton Court, Peter and Gill went on to purchase “The Bell Hotel
“opposite Tewkesbury Abbey in 1992 and having sold it in 1995 took a short break
until 1997 when they purchased the Heritage Park Hotel in the Rhondda Valley a
44 bedroomed hotel with a health spa and large conference and banqueting
facility for 250 guests. They sold the Heritage Park Hotel in 2005, thinking
they would take a break for a while but after 5 years of Peter taking over as
Chairman of “Visit Hereford” for three and a half years and Gill doing some
consultancy work, they couldn’t get rid of the “Hospitality Itch”. In 2010, they
decided to have one last hurrah and invested in the wonderful historic Speech
House. Ten years later, in 2020, their daughter Naomi, joined the family
business. Having grown up in hotels, and then working in London for the past 10
years in marketing, she decided it was time for Mum & Dad to start considering
the idea of retirement. Naomi, who has a keen interest in mountain biking and
the outdoors was appointed “Operations Director”, and is bringing new ideas to
The Speech House. She has a broad knowledge of the industry, and looking to
bring new thoughts and ideas in to keep the Speech House as the premier hotel in
the heart of The Royal Forest of Dean. The Speech House Hotel truly is a Hands
family business, with Katy’s art and paintings all around the building, and
Amanda holding her weddding at the hotel in 2021! The other new addition to the
Management Team is Luca, Peter and Gill’s adopted Lucas Terrier who can often be
seen around the hotel. Luca was made “Director of Dog Friendly Visits” He has
been given his own Instagram page and become quite a favourite with the guests,
both two and four legged.
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