Dingley Lodge Hotel a short history
By: Tony Lucas | Posted: 19th October 2009
Dingley Lodge is a victorian house, now operated as a hotel, that is set in its own grounds high above the beautiful Dingley Valley. Situated in the village of Dingley, it lies just with Northamptonshire on the border with Leicestershire and has views of the Welland Valley and Dingley Valley. Originally built in 1888 by Lord Downe as the main house for his land manager, John Fisher, who insisted he would only take the job if he was provided with sufficient accommodation for his large family. The house is situated just outside the main part of the loveley village of Dingley, with its 12th century church and many fine buildings, including Dingley Hall, one of the finest country houses in the county of Northampton.
When the estate at Dingley was broken up, the farm land in the valley, including the house was purchased by the Cooperative society. They had no requirement for a large victorian house and its was left empty and slowly deteriorated. In 1982 it was in a sad state and was in need of speedy restoration to save it. It was purchased from the Cooperative Society by the present owners, Bruce and Chris Kirkman who set about restoring it to its former glory and that process still continues, with out buildings and stables now being restored. It has been a long labour of love and the result is a spectacular house and building in a magnificent setting.
As well as being a family home, the house also operates as a hotel and has 12 well appointed rooms all with lovely views across the unspoilt valley which is a mixture of arable farming and woodland. The valley abounds with wildlife including red kites and buzzards, fallow deer and several species of bats which can be seen hawking around the hotel grounds on summer evenings.
It is an idealic place to stay if you have business or holidays in the area and is handy for the towns of Market harborough (3 miles), Corby, Kettering, Desborough and Rothwell. As an Hotel, it provides very affordable accommodation all of which is tastefully decorated to a very high standard as well a good wholesome home cooking.
Bruce and Chris Kirman provide a very warm welcome to their guests and have a deep knowledge of the area and the attractions available to their guests. The area has many local attractions including the market town of Market Harborough, Rockingham Castle, Kelmarsh Hall, the battlefield museum at Nasby, Cotton Manor Gardens, Rockingham Speedway, Rutland Water and a host of other places to visit. The local villages are mainly built of the local sandstone and there are many places to drink and eat within a short distance of the hotel
Dingley Lodge Hotel is set in one of Englands least explored but most beautiful areas and is an ideal place to stay while visiting this lovely corner of England.
Synopsis
Dingley Lodge hotel is a lovely victorian house built as a farm managers house for the estate of Lord Downe and is now owned by Chris and Bruce Kirman and offers great accommodation at an affordable price with good home cooking and a warm welcome to visitors to this beautiful area of the country.
Tony Lucas has spent many years in the travel and tourism market, has travelled in many parts of the world. He has lectured and worked freelance for many of the major Hotel corporations. He writes extensively on all matters to do with Britain and tourism in the British Isles.
More information on http://www.stayinbritain.co.uk
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Tony Lucas
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Tags: sad state, former glory, several species, summer evenings, country houses