About New Court Cheltenham

New Court was lovingly commissioned in 1862 by Captain Shapland Swiny, a military man from Ireland with a growing family. The New Court mansion was intended as a visible sign of the family’s prestige and influence. In homage to New Court’s original owner, the present-day dining room is named the Shapland Restaurant.

By 1914 New Court had passed to James Flemming who offered it for use as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital, the first of its kind in the area. New Court’s long corridors, grand parlours and immaculate grounds were adapted into a relaxing environment that provided a home for 1,697 men while they recovered from injuries sustained during the war.

Proprietor Charles Fletcher capitalised on both the reputation and elegance of the building when he turned it into the New Court hotel. Fletcher’s renovation once more thrust New Court into the limelight when on Saturday 12th September 1936, the Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic featured photographs of the grand hotel lit at night.

Between 1948 and the late 1970s New Court took on another new role, this time in the education of young day pupils and boarders, acting as a feeder school to Cheltenham Ladies College and Gentleman’s college. Our team was keen to restore this atmosphere of quiet contemplation and foundation of life-long study in the present-day Chapter Library.

Most recently New Court was home to the dedicated New Court museum, which captured the building’s diverse and lively history. The redevelopment of the Grade II listed building has included restoration of many original features to preserve its unique past, whilst the new build aspect of this development is another exciting evolution in the story of New Court.

New Court is ideally located in Cheltenham’s Montpellier district. Once a relaxing destination for people to enjoy the healthy waters of Montpellier Spa;  the area has been transformed into a bustling hub of boutique shops, cafés and restaurants. Not forgetting Montpellier Gardens, home to its own café, gallery and tennis courts.

A short walk from Montpellier lies the centre of Cheltenham, home to yet more shops, and independent restaurants. During the warmer months, the town hosts a May jazz festival, a summer music festival, with proms at The Everyman Theatre, and an October literature festival.

You only have to take a short walk through Cheltenham, passing the Regency mansions, Town Hall and Pump Room, to know that, like New Court, the town and surrounding region is steeped in history. Venturing further afield, Gloucestershire is home to the magnificent Sudeley Castle and a fascinating host of National Trust properties and gardens. Less than half an hour’s drive is the heart of the Cotswold Hills, perfect for a change of pace.

From fine dining at the Michelin starred Le Champignon Sauvage, to a light lunch at a local deli, Cheltenham caters for every taste and every occasion. For those that prefer to dine in, the central Promenade hosts a bimonthly Friday farmer’s market with local produce from the Gloucestershire and Cotswolds area. In December, this is complemented by a 10-day Christmas market selling festive produce, decorations and gifts.