ONE OF Hampshire’s bestknown hotels is being given a £1.7 million facelift by its new owners.

Burley Manor, a former manor house in the heart of the New Forest National Park, is being transformed into a restaurant with boutique rooms.

The Grade II listed building has been bought by New Forest Hotels, which is vowing to preserve its traditional character.

Managing director Michaela Lisle said: “This beautiful old building has so much history and warmth, we wanted to take the essence of its character and make something unique.

“Our vision is to create a simple, stylish restaurant which retains the historic personality of the manor – but with an eclectic interiors twist.

Old will meet bold with antique furniture and rustic tabletops offset with eccentric artwork and fabrics.

“The inspiration for the restaurant is the Mediterranean, where dinner is without doubt the main focus of each day.”

Newly-appointed executive head chef James Forman added: “Our dishes will feature superb seasonal ingredients from the New Forest and across the British Isles, crafted into vibrant, rustic dishes with the bold flavours and delicate tastes of the Mediterranean.”

Some of the diners will be able to sit in the conservatory and watch native red deer grazing in the surrounding countryside.

James said: “I have always enjoyed creating fine dining dishes but my passion is for simpler food with personality and soul. My aim is to deliver natural, honest food with provenance.”

Staff are drawing on Burley Manor’s historic past for their inspiration.

Previous owners include Mrs Lister- Kay, whose impressive Italian garden and fowl run were featured in Ladies’ Field magazine in 1900.

Dubbed the Fair Farmeress, her ideas have contributed to the manor’s new Mediterranean feel.

The 38-room hotel will remain open to guests during its refurbishment, due to be completed in December.

As reported in the Daily Echo New Forest Hotels, which already owned four establishments in the area, bought Burley Manor earlier this year for an undisclosed sum.

The former royal manor became a hotel in 1933 but was requisitioned for military use by the War Office during the Second World War.