THIS is the scenic Worcestershire hotel Margaret Thatcher used as a place to escape the pressures of position, protocol and circumstance.

Once home to the Hornyolds – among the proudest landowners in the county – Malvern hotel the Cottage in the Wood became a treasured spot where Baroness Thatcher could remove the mask of the Iron Lady and become another visitor enjoying the stunning countryside.

Since her death following a stroke on Monday, the former Prime Minister’s love of Worcestershire has been revealed for the first time.

These never-before-seen images show Baroness Thatcher enjoying some of her frequent stays at the hotel – and the same room she booked year upon year – which became her base for exploring the county and its culture.

Your Worcester News can reveal how Malvern was known to be one of her favourite places to holiday anywhere in the UK – and was one of just four regular worldwide destinations she visited during the last decade.

Following the death of husband Denis in 2003, her personal assistant Cynthia Crawford, who lives in Worcester, decided to bring her to Malvern to relax.

In the ensuing years, until ill health made it impossible, she would spend up to five nights at the Cottage in the Wood, often during the autumn.

John Pattin, the hotel’s owner, said: “Cynthia was looking for some secure bolt holes where she could take Margaret Thatcher away from London to relax, and she chose us.

“She would often do it to tie in with the Conservative Party conference because her team liked to take her mind off it and encourage her to focus on something else.

“The first time I got a call to say she was coming, I thought it was an April Fool’s joke that had come early.

“Then I found out special branch had already been in, secretly posing as customers to check the hotel out and vet it.

"I know she had just a few bolt holes that became regular places to stay. One was a hotel in Banbury, one was either Austria or Switzerland, and one was Malvern.”

He said the baroness would arrive in a bullet-proof car, with a driver, followed by three special branch security staff, while the hotel and grounds would be kitted out with special listening devices able to track conversations to ensure her safety.

He said: “We’d book her the same room and the room next door, which would be used to entertain people during the day.

"She used to have a Malvern painter over who would paint her portrait, and we’d see Graeme Hick come in to see her too, as well as other friends.”

Worcester News: She stayed in 'The Blue Room' during her getaways to Worcestershire

Baroness Thatcher would stay in the aptly-named 'Blue Room'

 

During her stay she would often go out, including trips to Worcester, and would eat breakfast and dinner at the restaurant like the other guests.

Mr Pattin said: “Over the years we got to know her well and so did the staff, and I have to say she was absolutely lovely.

“She was known as the Iron Lady in public, but in private, she was nothing like that.

“She was witty, chatty and could talk to any of us about anything, from the weather to sausages.

“She would come into the restaurant with her staff with no airs or graces. It was great having her. She fitted in and expected nothing special.

“One night I remember her saying to a receptionist, ‘I hope I haven’t kept you up, dear’. It was only 9.30pm but that was the caring person she was.

“I also remember her special branch team saying, ‘Can we order our food when we get to the restaurant first’, and when I asked why they said, ‘When Mrs Thatcher arrives we’ve got to get up and keep on missing our puddings’. It was quite funny.

“We were told exactly where she would sit to eat and exactly where her security team would sit. It became quite normal.”

Mr Pattin, who runs the hotel with wife Sue, also said Baroness Thatcher frequently spoke of her fondness for Malvern.

“From the hotel, on a good day she could see 30 miles across the landscape, and she loved this area,” he said.

“I know she polarised views but people with strong opinions often do.
She was nothing other than incredibly gracious.”