Completed in 1790 with grounds landscaped by Capability Brown and set in some of Worcestershire’s most beautiful countryside, Spring Grove House has always been extra special. 

So special, in fact, that the Painter, John Constable couldn’t resist sketching whilst in the area visiting the love of his life – Maria Bicknell.

As the perfect family home for almost three centuries, Spring Grove House has always been delightful – and the perfect venue for all kinds of events.

As the years passed and ownership changed, Spring Grove House became incorporated into West Midland Safari Park when it opened in 1973 and used as a cafeteria before being fully refurbished in 1984.

The lady that would take Spring Grove House into the next decade and beyond was Mrs. Olive Chorley. Olive was the wife of Mr. David Chorley the Managing Director of the Park. The House was lovely – a Georgian mansion with interiors that echoed the opulent Victorian era; crystal chandeliers; drapes in powdery blue and soft pink; imposing marble pillars – and with Olive at its helm Spring Grove House was set to make its mark.  Weddings, Parties, Christenings, Sunday Luncheons – Olive would take charge and it soon became clear that whilst Olive was officially the Banqueting Director, she was also a marvelous hostess. Olive welcomed everyone – local dignitaries; heads of business, MP’s, new husbands with nervous young wives all with ease and grace, yet with impeccable professionalism.  Olive became the friend of every family, no wonder that Spring Grove House gained such a high reputation as one of the finest venues around.

Spring Grove House came alive at Christmas – log fire to welcome; Christmas tree standing proud in the great hall; carol singers from the local church on the stairs; copious amounts of festive finery, garlands and flowers painstakingly prepared by a local florist that Olive remained firm friends with over the years. There was laughter all around – Olive always on hand to make sure that everything went to plan and of course to meet and greet all those clients that really had become her friends over the years.

Olive and David Chorley retired from Spring Grove House and West Midland Safari Park in 2000, leaving a very hard act to follow.

……. Then on Christmas Eve 2006 a major fire ripped through the House destroying every inch of its heart.  There was nothing left of its history; just charred timbers; a once magnificent limestone staircase shattered by the heat and devastation all around.

At the time Olive and David were in America and the news was heart wrenching for Olive, who had spent so many years creating the Spring Grove House that everyone knew and loved.

Undeterred, talks began and a major rebuild pledge was announced.  Spring Grove House would be restored to its former glory – albeit with a rather different agenda.

It was many months before Olive could find the strength to visit Spring Grove House – so upsetting was the situation.

Progress was slow; exacting attention to detail would not be compromised as materials arrived from around the world.

2007 came and went, as did 2008.

It was a different story as 2009 progressed.  Excitement was building as Spring Grove House started to emerge from its blackened shell and take on a new and very important persona.

All the waiting and hard work paid off – Spring Grove House was nearing completion and almost ready for the interior designer to move in to create something extra special.

Alas, Olive would not see the delightful new interiors or welcome guests to Spring Grove House again, as sadly on Saturday 7th November 2009 she passed away leaving an enormous void.

Amidst the upset, there was no turning back – after all Olive would have expected no less – Spring Grove House would rise again and so it did.

It was Sonya Knezovich – the wife of the current Managing Director – who managed the interior design and selected the exquisite finishing touches, from start to completion.  Sonya brought Spring Grove House back to life and in spring of 2010 the doors opened again to welcome guests once more.

Whilst rebuilt as a traditional English Georgian manor house, gone have the drapes and faded finery of an age gone by and in its place has come colonial elegance. Carpets that have been especially designed and commissioned by a local carpet maker; marble that has been hand selected and delivered from Italy; wallpapers hand picked from some of the greatest design houses and never forgetting the only artefacts that were rescued from the fire – one or two decorative cast iron stair rails and a little cornice.  New additions complete this magnificent mansion - a unique wine cellar housing some of South Africa’s finest wines and “Cellarz” the perfect below stairs venue to party the night away.

Spring Grove House now resembles a luxurious colonial residence transported from the Great Plains of Africa, completely unique, stunningly beautiful and still extra special – made so by the two extraordinary ladies – Olive Chorley and Sonya Knezovich - that really did put their hearts and soul into its creation - before and after the fire.

Spring Grove House – a new beginning.