History of Farncombe Estate

Evolution of a Conference Centre

There has been a building on the site of Farncombe House, at 750 feet near the top of the Estate, for more than four centuries.  A title deed relating to the site dates back to around 1560.  The first building was an ox hall, replaced by a mansion house in 1780.  Over the years, Farncombe House has been extended and modernised for many uses.

During World War I Farncombe House was used as a military hospital. A plaque commemorating this and a framed letter from Sir Winston Churchill hang in the reception area of the House. There is another link with Churchill. Towards the end of his life, Group 4 provided security protection for his home, Chartwell. On his death, Lady Churchill expressed her appreciation to the company with a gift of goldfish from Chartwell. Their descendants still thrive in the lake below the terrace gardens on the west side of Farncombe House.

In 1964, Group 4 bought Farncombe House, then a hotel, and the old Farncombe farmhouse, with 100 acres of land.  Group 4 moved its UK head office into Farncombe House and converted the farm buildings to provide a training centre. Today the house and farm buildings are offices for G4S. Farncombe House stands in Worcestershire on Fish Hill.  In 1970, Foxhill Manor, half a mile down the hill and over the county boundary into Gloucestershire, came on the market.  Group 4 bought the Manor and its 100 acres for more Head Office accommodation.  Other buildings were gradually converted into training rooms, bedrooms and other spaces.

Cotswold Conference Centre now occupies most of the lower part of the Estate, offering both state-of-the-art technology and absolute peace and quiet. The most recent development – in 2011 – has been the addition of Maudslay Court, a Cotswold stone courtyard with its own tower and 32 ensuite bedrooms.  This attractive new building makes a stunning addition to the Farncombe landscape.