Hotel History

Sir Christopher Wren's House was designed and built by the celebrated architect Sir Christopher Wren. He chose to set up his family home in Windsor, a town close to his heart because his father was the Dean of Windsor and, as a young boy his family lived in the Deanery within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Situated in an idyllic position, on the banks of the River Thames, the house is overlooked by the ramparts of Windsor Castle to one side, and Eton Bridge and the river to the other. As with all of Wren's projects, meticulous attention to detail was applied to every part of the building process and only materials of the highest standards were used. A good example of the perfection to which the house was built is the floor to ceiling Oak panelling above the fire place in the hotel's Oak room, though over 300 years old and preceding Wren's era, is still in mint condition. Later in Wren's career, he supervised the building and completion of the magnificent Windsor Guildhall where he recreated the same magnificent plasterwork on the ground floor evident in his own house.

Wren died in 1723 at the age of 91 and records show that in the years following his death, there were several private owners of his family home. There is little information available on the alterations that took place, although it is thought that in 1752 the Drawing Room was extended and the magnificent alabaster fireplace, attributed to the work of Sir Thomas Fettiplace, was fitted.

In the latter part of the 19th Century, Baroness de Vaux bought the house. Her son claimed he regularly saw the ghost of Wren in his bedroom. As a consequence a number of servants left the property and his mother would not sleep there. By 1918, the house became vacant and was known, by the locals, as the haunted house. It was not until the 1920's that it opened as a hotel - Riverholme Restaurant and Guest House. As such, the house thrived and was bought, sold and refurbished by aspiring hoteliers many times.

Around 1950 the owner of the house, Mr James Miers, increased the number of bedrooms to 49 by building a second floor at the rear and an additional wing overlooking the River Thames and Eton Bridge. At the same time, Sir Christopher Wren's House was registered a Grade II listed building of historical and architectural interest.

In 1996, the Wren's Hotel Group purchased the property and instructed an immediate £4 million refurbishment programme. Considerable care was taken to preserve all historic features of the house and by winter 1997, the work was complete. Facilities were upgraded, and today over £14 million has been invested to bring the property to an international standard offering 96 bedrooms, a state-of-the-art executive fitness, beauty and spa, business centre and award-winning restaurant including a stunning conservatory area called the Pavilion. Meeting and conference facilities were improved and the Princess suite was extended and a wedding license obtained to allow civil ceremonies to take place there.

Today Sir Christopher Wren's House enjoys a reputation for combining the traditions of centuries past with the comfort, services and amenities of the present. With an unrivalled position in the heart of historic Windsor, a warm and inviting atmosphere and outstanding facilities and cuisine, the hotel is ideally suited to business and leisure travellers alike.