Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel in Shrewsbury has been awarded a Planet 21’s Best Rural Garden accolade for Northern Europe.

Planet 21 is Accor Hotels’ sustainable development programme relating to local sourcing, diversity and water, energy and waste management. The award recognises the achievements of hotels across Northern Europe.

The 4-star country house hotel and spa is managed by Focus Hotel Management and is just three miles from Shrewsbury town centre. The beautiful 18th century manor house is set in 15 acres of grounds with a spectacular ornamental lake. Since Focus took over the management of the hotel in November 2015 a major £2.5m upgrade has taken place resulting in the refurbishment of the public areas, bedrooms, spa, wedding and conference suites, making it one of the top hotels in the area.

General Manager Jennifer Sibbald Wall said she was thrilled the hotel’s efforts had been recognised by Planet 21.
“The team at Albrighton Hall are passionate about supporting Accor in achieving its Planet 21 goals and are proud to have achieved Gold programme status at the hotel as well as an accolade in the Rural Garden awards category.

“We have planted a fruit orchard with more than thirty classic apples including Granny Smiths, Coxs Orange Pippin and Iona Gold apples alongside Victoria and Opal plums, Conference and Dayenne Pears and Morello and Hedelfinger cherries.

“The produce allows us to make our own jam, chutney and compote – keeping the hotel self-sufficient in these products for at least two months of the year.

“Our new herb garden provides fresh Sage, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Fennel, Chives and summer Basil which we use in our kitchens.”
The hotel has also cleared grounds to create two woodland walks, used branches and logs to build homes for a variety of native species including hedgehogs and newts while the protected woodlands and hotel gardens at the same time provide a natural habitat for all types of local insects and birds.

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