It has been very tough on our wonderful guests and equally wonderful staff, and we are all pretty fed up with the disproportionate way that hospitality has been targeted by people in and around government who are not affected in any way by their decisions. The leafy surrounds of West Lodge Park are hardly the same as a crowded pub in Soho, and we have made strenuous and costly efforts to make every part of our operation Covid-secure.

Almost all the staff are furloughed, waiting for the better times ahead, when we can get back to doing what we do best, namely looking after our guests in the bedrooms, restaurant, bar, and banqueting rooms.

As I write this on 15th February, there are some encouraging noises coming out from government about the opening up of hospitality around Easter or so.

For now we are still restricted to small funerals and meetings under 6, and to essential travellers in our bedrooms only.

However, following the success of our Valentine’s home delivery kits brought to your doorstep, look out for Mother’s Day and Easter Day lunch and afternoon tea home deliveries.

As soon as we are allowed to, we will be opening up our lovely new 210m2 bar terrace, serving al fresco meals, hot and cold drinks, with gazebos, lighting, heating, new cushions, blankets etc to make your visit comfortable.

Please do enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Beale Arboretum, and grab a takeaway coffee or tea and biscuits.

As mentioned above, we have been busy developing new areas of West Lodge Park in preparation for reopening.

The first of these is the stunning bar terrace, where Steve and Roy are currently building solid oak gazebos to give shelter on some tables.

The next is the development of our croquet lawn into a garden pavilion area for private ceremonies and functions. This involves the rebuilding of a retaining wall and the construction of a lovely solid oak pavilion ideal for weddings, renewal of vows, and celebrations of all kinds. Find out more.

Watch this space for further innovations including a new West Lodge Park shop, new doors between the King Charles and John Evelyn Rooms, further developments in click and collect and home delivery, and new menus to suit the changed post-vaccination circumstances.

Jean Deans was a long serving member of the team at both Hatfield Lodge and West Lodge for many years, known and loved by countless wedding and function organisers. A faithful attendee at reunions of Beale’s pensioners, she is much missed by those that knew her, and our thoughts and prayers are with Eddie, Alistair, Karen and the rest of the family.