THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The history of the Milsom Hotels & Restaurants group can be traced back to the early 1950s and the acquisition of a small riverside tea room. From the 1950s and as we edge towards 2020 – much has of course changed. We operate from six properties across Essex and Suffolk and currently serve in excess of 360,000 customers every year through our restaurants, brasseries, outside catering events, hotels and spa. Our journey is far from complete however; and we’re committed (more than ever) to remain ahead of the curve.

MILSOM HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

Talbooth Restaurant (Dedham) is very much the flagship of our organisation and was first discovered by the late Gerald Milsom in 1952, when it was just a simple tearoom with an outstanding location beside the River Stour. In 1969, Gerald bought Talbooth House & Spa – our country house hotel just a few moments along the lane. Talbooth House & Spa and Talbooth Restaurant very much go hand in hand and together they’re members of Pride of Britain Hotels, a collection of British luxury hotels.

In 1978 Gerald Milsom returned from a visit to America and decided that he rather liked the idea of having a seafood restaurant. He quickly found an opportunity at The Pier in Harwich – the iconic harbour side property was swiftly purchased – and the new venture set sail. As recently as 2016, The Pier underwent a major refurbishment and today stands proudly on the harbour of Historic Harwich.

In 2001, Paul and Geraldine Milsom opened Milsoms in Dedham, which quickly became ‘the’ place to eat, drink and stay in Essex. Milsoms enjoyed a major refurbishment in January 2015, when work to the Library, Lounge and bathrooms was completed. Led by Geraldine, the new design ensured the best loved aspects of the property were retained, while injecting a new and exciting aesthetic.

Early 2000, the company began to develop an outside catering arm of the business, formerly Talbooth Catering and in more recent years – rebranded to Milsom Catering which serves thousands of customers every year at our own locations and with our dedicated event partner locations such as Hengrave Hall.

Meanwhile, in April 2008, Milsom Hotels & Restaurants, in partnership with the Hills Group, embarked on another new venture with the opening of Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. This magnificent Grade II listed Suffolk mansion has been refurbished – while maintaining the original features of the building – as a contemporary brasserie with 23 stylish bedrooms.

The Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall opened in the autumn of 2010 as one of Suffolk’s largest indoor party event spaces, providing a much-needed conference and party facility just outside Ipswich – available for hire, the venue also promotes its own events throughout the year including a Valentines Ball, Midsummer Ball and Christmas Comedy Lunch.

THE FUTURE

Milsom Hotels & Restaurants will never stand still, that is a certainty. It’s very likely that other new ventures will present themselves along the way and we’re always seeking to improve our existing properties, products and services. Investment is central to the ethos of our organisation and we place equal importance on investing in people as we do our properties. We are proud of our history and enjoy and take the time to recognise and celebrate all that we have achieved, but we’re focussed on the future and entirely committed to developing, growing and strengthening the Milsom brand.