Birch Community’s second ‘lifestyle hotel’ has opened in Croydon, just 30 minutes away from central London.

Using the same concept as its award-winning sister hotel in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, Birch (Selsdon) is a large 19th century country mansion converted into a 181-boutique retreat set on 200 acres of rolling hills and green space just a 10-minute drive from East Croydon train station.

The mansion’s vast green space was in fact a golf course but is now one of London’s biggest rewilding projects overseen by designer and environmentalist Sebastion Cox.

The Resident: Elodie is Birch (Selsdon)'s flagship restaurantElodie is Birch (Selsdon)'s flagship restaurant (Image: Adam Lynk)

The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Elodie, is has also opened and is open to members, guests and the general public. Helmed by the award-winning and Michelin starred chef Lee Westcott, Elodie takes its ques from Birch’s vast rewilding project to serve up tasting menus (veg, vegan and dietary requirement menus available on request) made of seasonal and foraged produce, as well as from stuff grown on the hotel’s expansive grounds.

The restaurant’s design also makes use of Birch’s bucolic setting which draws panoramic views of the grounds into the Victorian-style dining room.

The Resident: Birch (Selsdon) is a 19th century country mansion converted into a 181-room hotelBirch (Selsdon) is a 19th century country mansion converted into a 181-room hotel (Image: Birch (Selsdon))

In addition to Elodie, Vervian is an all-day dining British brasserie serving up seasonal dishes, and there are three bars on site as well.

For the physically active, a tennis course, a lido (due to open later this year) a wellness space with gym, studios and treatment rooms, and cycling and running tracks should keep you busy.

There's also a pottery studio, a screen-printing workshop and a reading room, and a programme of creative workshops such as ring-making and DJ workshops, and wellness activities such as yoga and Pilates.

For those with kids, the hotel has a family wing, and there's also the Birchlings Kids Club offering games, activities, arts and crafts and pyjama parties and the like, so parents can do what they need to do to relax. 

The Resident: Elodie will serve up a seasonal five course tasting menu Elodie will serve up a seasonal five course tasting menu (Image: Adam Lynk)

A true post-pandemic venture, Birch Selsdon will also have co-working spaces for digital nomads and for those who just need to log on while taking time out. 

Birch Selsdon is now open. Elodie is currently open for guests and non-guests.

Address: 126 Addington Rd, South Croydon CR2 8YA

Website: birchcommunity.com