The Signet Collection has revealed plans for its second hotel, The Retreat Elcot Park. Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th-century building between Hungerford and Newbury, the 55-key boutique will debut in Q1 2022.

Dating back to 1772, The Retreat has a storied past including once being the childhood home of the great poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. As such, the design aesthetic will blend the old with the new while injecting touches of quirky British sensibility, with guestrooms and public spaces ensuring that visitors quickly feel at home.

As with its sister hotel, The Mitre Hampton Court, all things culinary will have pride of place at The Retreat, which will open with two restaurants – an all-day dining Brasserie and a pan-Asian venue. Other elements on site include a whisky tasting room, honesty pantries on each floor and experiences for all age groups.

For gatherings and corporate events, there will also be several meeting rooms and multiple private dining spaces to hire. At the helm of culinary operations is Ronnie Kimbugwe, whose background includes time with the Gordon Ramsay group at Claridge’s Hotel and a decade with the Bel and Dragon Country Inns.

Set within 16 acres, The Retreat will be a destination in its own right with a walled working garden, tennis courts, an outdoor infinity pool featuring cabanas and a Whispering Angel pool bar, and croquet lawns.

The boutique hotel will also boast a Health Club comprising hydrotherapy pools, treatment rooms, and steam and sauna facilities, as well as a large gym, spin studio and a wellness area. Topping off the experience will be The Courtyard, a mixed-use retail space consisting of a bakery, coffee house, hair salon and a wine store.

“As with The Mitre Hampton Court, we look forward to unveiling a property which will be enjoyed in the context of its historical significance, both preserving and restoring authenticity coupled with offering a vast array of activities on site to keep our guests entertained,” says Managing Partner, Hector Ross. “With a focus on creating memorable experiences, informality of design, exquisite food and service, we believe The Retreat will be a much-loved addition to the area, involving both the local community and travellers from afar.”

With views of the Wessex Downs, the property is ideal for those looking to enjoy country pursuits and culture alike with its proximity to Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle, the market town of Hungerford, Newbury Racecourse and Blenheim Palace. With transport links to the M4, M3 and A34, as well as several train stations, the retreat is also accessible from many central hubs and is just 45 minutes by train from London.