The Noble Oak

Revered for its strength and admired for its longevity, the oak embodies endurance and stability, making it a fitting emblem of Britain itself. For centuries it has offered shade, shelter, and inspiration. Today, as our guests stroll through the hotel gardens, the presence of these majestic trees adds a timeless character — luxurious, grounded, and beautifully British.

The oak has long been woven into the fabric of national life. As a symbol of resilience and endurance, it has been associated with monarchs, warriors, and poets alike. Its timber once built the ships that carried Britain across the globe, and its beams framed the stately homes and manor houses that still define the countryside. With lifespans that can stretch up to a thousand years, many ancient oaks still stand as silent witnesses to battles fought, kings crowned, and generations gone by.

After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, the young Prince Charles famously hid in an oak tree to escape capture — an episode that gave rise to the “Royal Oak,” a name still celebrated in inns and landmarks today. In many ways, the oak mirrors the timeless qualities we value — strength, grace, and continuity — all of which underpin the character of our hotels.

A Song and a Symbol

In the 1970s, a song about an oak tree captured the world’s imagination. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree became an anthem of hope, loyalty, and homecoming. Its story of waiting faithfully beneath the boughs of an old oak struck a chord with millions, cementing the tree’s place in our cultural memory.

Perhaps it’s no surprise the oak has inspired poets, painters, and songwriters across the centuries — it embodies constancy, rootedness, and the comfort of home. In its steadfast presence, the oak reminds us that some symbols endure precisely because they speak to the heart.

Standing proudly in the rolling countryside, the oak is more than just a tree – it is a witness to centuries of British history.

The story in the rings Oaks at Our Hotels

Our connection to the oak is more than symbolic — it is personal. At Norton, our General Manager once salvaged a cross-section from an ancient oak that had fallen on the grounds. Reading its life rings was like opening a diary of centuries, each circle a silent record of storms weathered and summers enjoyed. Today, the slice is displayed in the hotel as a reminder that history lives not only in books but also in the natural world around us.

Across our gardens, guests will still find these mighty trees standing sentinel, their branches offering shade in summer and structure in winter. At Hand Picked Hotels, we go to great lengths to care for them, ensuring grass is maintained beneath their canopies to protect their roots and give them the best chance to thrive. They are guardians of history, weaving heritage into the very fabric of our landscapes.