The hotel was originally three buildings dating back to the 17th century, it was then a dental surgery before becoming a bed and breakfast establishment – Park Dene.
In July 2016 the Grapevine Hotel became The Sheep (on Sheep Street), trading as a hotel rather than a pub. However, The Sheep is very much open to the public. See their website https://www.thesheepstow.co.uk
The Grapevine Hotel traded as the Parkdene Hotel up to 1985 when the name was changed by the owners.
In 1985 the Grapevine Hotel was extended into the adjacent property (the Gigot). In the subsequent years the Grapevine Hotel was extended into the old Rafters Restaurant to the rear and then another six bedrooms were added.
The Grapevine Hotel was named after the ancient Black Hamburg vine, which once covered the ceiling of the conservatory restaurant. The grapevine was thought to be at least 120 years old. It was planted when the building was a private house. When the old conservatory was demolished and a dining room constructed in its place, the mature grapevine was cut back and a cutting of the original grapevine was transplanted into the new garden area. However, because the dominant feature of the grapevine had gone, the new owners took the opportunity to change the name.
The inspiration for the new name is fairly simple: the Cotswolds is famous for the farming of its sheep, in fact there’s even a breed of sheep named after the place. The word “Cotswolds” comes from the word “cots” meaning stone sheep shelters and “wold” meaning rolling hills.
From The Sheep website:
The ground floor of the Sheep includes plenty of dining space, as well as full length bar top and cosy fire. There’s an open kitchen and a wood-fired oven too. The kitchen is available all day, welcoming those not lucky enough to be staying the chance to come in for breakfast. There’s an a la carte menu offering a wide range of freshly cooked pizzas throughout the afternoon and evening. Families are welcome, and children have a bespoke menu.
To complement the contemporary restaurant and bar, the garden and rear patio area features an outdoor dining area, built around a feature fireplace.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 3rd October 2002 – Sad news on the Grapevine as owner quits: One of Stow-on-the-Wold’s longest serving hoteliers has put her award-winning hotel on the market for £1.5 million. Sam Elliot is selling the Grapevine after 26 years because she has grown disillusioned with mounting bureaucracy depriving her of the time she needs to help her 30 staff care for guests. Lancashire born Mrs Elliott, who previously did marketing work in London, bought the Sheep Street property in 1976 to earn income while she was staying home to look after her first child, Paul. The Grapevine, parts of which are 300 years old, was formerly Park Dene and was once a dental surgery.
She invested heavily to improve it, giving every room an en suite bathroom, building an extension and buying an adjacent house to convert into more rooms. The Grapevine won many awards in the early 1990’s. Apart from winning the National Training Award and Patrons Award, both from the Government, it was also the first to win the Automobile Association’s Courtesy and Care Award. Mrs Elliott received the OBE, for serviced to training in 1991.
She said: “Nowadays, legislation claims every second of the day. If it’s not electricity checks it’s food regulation. If it’s not food regulations, it’s fire regulations.” She added: “I’m not saying it’s wrong, it’s just that it puts a huge burden on you. It’s going to be hard to leave because I’ve loved it. It’s the staff I’ll miss most.”
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 8th May 2012 – Couple to bring passion back into hotel: Passion could be injected back into a historic hotel after it has languished in administration for nearly a year.Elaine and Martyn Booth plan to take on The Grapevine in Stow-on-the-Wold by mid-June. And the couple, who run Dial House Hotel in Bourton-on-the-Water have pledged to put their heart and soul into rebuilding the business.
The community was shocked when the Park Street landmark went up for sale for £1.75 million, along with the facing hotel, The Royalist, at £1.5 million, last June. Both had been owned by Mark and Janine Vance. Administrators continued to trade to achieve a sale as a going concern. “We hope The Grapevine will thrive again,” said Elaine.
“However well-run a management company won’t have the same passion as the person whose hard-earned money is in there. I hope we can bring that passion back. It’s a fabulous location, and an interesting building with a history and personality.” She continued: “We’ve been actively been looking for the last 12 months for our next hotel and we’ve seen so many that are in difficulties in this financial climate – and not because they’re not good hotels.
The 17th century hotel is named after the ancient Black Hamburg vine, which decorates the ceiling of the conservatory restaurant. It has 22 bedrooms, La Vigna Brasserie and the Gigot Bar.
Elaine said: “It has suffered from under-investment so we’ve set aside an initial £200,000. We plan to run the hotel through the season, refurbish the restaurant and do general maintenance, before closing in January to refurbish all the bathrooms. We’ll take on all the current staff and will probably do a recruitment drive.”
The Booths are building up a portfolio of individual hotels. They already own the Royal Adelaide in Windsor, and bought High Street hotel [in Bourton-on-the-Water] in January 2008. They also operate Halford House B&B in Station Road, Bourton. The couple thought about buying The Royalist but dedcided to focus on transforming one business.
Proprietors:
1977 Mr and Mrs Good (Parkdene Hotel)
1977-2000 Sandra Elliott