Set on 55 acres in ​Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, Birch melds history with a contemporary, forward-thinking approach. Although the 140-room lifestyle hotel occupies a centuries-old structure (the mansion was built in 1763, however some of the oldest parts of the estate date back to the 15th century), the concept breaks the traditional hospitality mold by offering a next-generation escape from urban living.

Crafted in collaboration with Birch founders Chris King and Chris Penn, London- and Barcelona-based firm Red Deer approached the renovation with a meticulous eye. “We wanted to take a light touch on the existing features and celebrate the Georgian building,” says Red Deer founding director Ciarán O’Brien. “The building created a really strong backdrop, so we looked at each space from the point of what already existed.”

When carpet in the reception area was pulled up, floorboards numbered with white paint from a previous renovation were unveiled. Instead of concealing the marks, Red Deer left them exposed in celebration of the space’s evolution. “In today’s social climate we believe that sustainability needs to be at the heart of any concept,” explains O’Brien. “As a hotel offering an escape from the city, and all the pressures of perfectionism in modern-day living, the idea that ‘flaws’ should be appreciated is compelling.”

A circular desk sheathed in a reflective, faceted exterior serves as the central focal point in the reception area. “Any contemporary intervention needed to work with the existing canvas, and once that design story was built it allowed us to imagine how the room would operate,” O’Brien shares. “The challenge of working within a Grade II*-listed building allowed us to deconstruct how a hotel should perform and create spaces for guests without pre-defined restrictions or a set of rules.”

Birch’s interiors, including the gallery, are characterized by an earthy, natural color palette to reflect the surrounding landscape inside. Moreover, the design team rid all spaces of clutter and kept furniture choices minimal to promote guests to unwind and experience the existing architecture.

The Gun Room, an intimate private dining room suitable for up to eight guests, features rich wood wall paneling and intricately detailed molding juxtaposed by Scandinavian-style seating.

Lang, which spans nearly 840 square feet, is one of the property’s 20 event spaces. Birch also houses an arcade, music room, pottery studio, as well as a dedicated wellness space for private spin, yoga, or meditation sessions.

The dark envelope of the library is accented by vibrant upholstery and natural textures like woven rugs and rattan lampshades. “With the Birch ethos placing such an emphasis on the collaborative creative nature of the space, we felt it crucial to bring local artists and makers onboard to work on the interior projects and create some truly unique pieces to be enjoyed by the guests—challenging the idea that uniformity was essential for large batch runs of furniture,” says O’Brien.

At approximately 345 square feet, Jones is one of Birch’s smallest event spaces—ideal for group sessions, board meetings, and private dinners.