Congham Hall wins coveted garden award and four AA red stars

Congham Hall Hotel has won a prestigious award for its gardens from the Good Hotel Guide soon after receiving the supreme accolade of four Red Stars from the AA.

The selection for an Editor’s Choice Award 2023 for its garden was announced on Monday, October 3.

The hotel was chosen based on reports that the independent guide book publisher had received from readers, along with its own inspectors’ assessments.

Congham Hall also has a kitchen garden and orchard, which supply fresh produce to the hotel’s restaurant, The Samphire Kitchen.

Owner Nicholas Dickinson said: “Our gardens have always been one of the highlights of a visit to Congham Hall, especially our herb garden, which is a brown sign attraction in its own right.

“We are delighted to have received this award, especially because we know it is based on recommendations from our guests.”

Nicholas and his team took over the hotel in 2012 and to mark this year’s decade anniversary, Congham Hall opened five new Orchard Cabins, luxurious suites in distinctive architectural structures set amid the apple trees.

The news quickly follows the hotel’s success at the AA Hospitality Awards on Monday, September 26, where it picked up an AA Inspectors’ Choice award.

AA Red Stars are reserved for the very best hotels in the British Isles and are a mark of excellent levels of quality throughout and outstanding levels of hospitality and service and Congham Hall is one of only five hotels to receive the award this year.

The estate’s beautiful gardens are a highlight of the 50 acres of grounds that surround the Georgian country house.

They include formal floral displays outside the main entrance to the manor and the spa and garden suites.

There are extensive lawns bordered by mature trees, and a dedicated herb garden, which contains both familiar and rare herbs.