Coventry’s historic Chace Hotel….. the story

The Land…

The property is situated in Willenhall, once a small village south of Coventry but now a suburb of the bustling city. The land was known as a chase (an area of unenclosed land formerly reserved for hunting – according to the Oxford Dictionary) and spelt ‘chace’ in olden days. The hillside, overlooking the River Sowe, which runs a few metres below the hotel, was originally part of the lands granted to the Benedictine monastery founded by Leofric, Earl of Mercia and his wife Lady Godiva. Very many years later the territory fell into the hands of King Henry v111 following the dissolution of the monasteries. Over the years thereafter, various wealthy landowners held title over the property including the Duke of Montague in the late 16th century. Some years later it was recorded as within the estate of Sir Richard Lee – the notorious ‘Rychard at the Lee’ who was supposedly a secret supporter of Robin Hood. Sir Richard is said to have been forced to sell off the land to pay of a debt to the Abbot of St Mary’s Abbey in York. More latterly the segment became part of the chattels belonging to that prolific 17th century royal architect James Wyatt Esq.

The House…

The history of The Chace revolves around Dr Charles Webb Iliffe. Born in 1844, the son of a local Master Draper, he attended Coventry Grammar school before going down to Oxford University and then on to Middlesex Hospital to complete his training. He went into practice back in Coventry during 1866 working towards his appointment as District Coroner about 1882.

Charles Iliffe had married Mary Ann Soden in July 1869 in a splendid ceremony at nearby St Michael’s Church and the attendees represented the prominent families and city dignitaries fitting his growing status.

Known to his friends and colleagues simply as C.W., he became a well respected figure in the local medical community, especially subsequent to becoming Medical Officer for Coventry Workhouse in 1877. He was paid £60 a year on that first government appointment at the age of thirty–six. He showed astute business acumen as well as his medical prowess. He acquired considerable land and property around Coventry and became financially involved in a cycle manufacturing enterprise.

Since Wyatt’s descendant disposed of the estate in 1809, there had not been any land development and so this portion came back onto the market. Dr Iliffe had been seeking a site for his planned family home. He promptly purchased the land and proceeded to build his country house adopting the name The Chace. The mansion was constructed in the bold Victorian style but was embellished with a Mock Tudor façade and even some Gothic Revival influences are to be seen within the interiors… both decorative techniques fashionable at the time. The Iliffe family took occupancy in 1897.

A common practice in those days was topping the roof with an iron or terracotta ‘dragon’ supposedly to protect the children of the house and bring general good fortune. The Chace was no exception and our dragon sits proudly on the front gable end to this day.

At the highest point of the roof, Dr Iliffe had a look-out tower constructed to allow him to enjoy the, then unobstructed, views across his beloved Warwickshire countryside.

In the main porch, a brick bearing the engraved initials CWI can be spotted, supposedly cemented in place during the final ‘roof wetting’ of the house.

During Dr Iliffe’s long tenure overseeing the workhouse, local gossip recorded that the cellar was often used to house overflow inmates from the workhouse, especially the frail and infirm who could not earn their keep.

Although known for his sometimes controversial demeanour, Dr Iliffe became noted for his tireless work for the city’s poor at the Coventry Workhouse. He retired from medical practice in 1899 but continued his council commitment and was later appointed a Justice of the Peace.

Dr Iliffe was also well respected in horse and hound circles and the local foxhunt assembled at The Chace before the ‘tallyho’ regularly. Apparently, his hunting parties were lavish and popular affairs with invitations being much sought after. The old stables and paddock have long since gone having fallen into disrepair. They, not surprisingly, gave way to the hotel’s present extensive rear car park many years ago.

In his later years Dr & Mrs Iliffe moved out of The Chace finding the upkeep of such a large home unnecessary and bothersome. Dr Iliffe died in 1921.

The Hotel…

Subsequent owners did not live in the big house permanently. In 1930 it was purchased in partnership by Mrs Gertrude P Williams and Mr J A Hartop from Leicester and was converted into a small independent hotel. They retained the old spelling of the name; hence The Chace Hotel was born and, in fact, boasted the very first telephone in Willenhall. The business prospered and later transferred to the son Mr A E William’s ownership. During the blitz of 1940 when central Coventry was razed by German bombing, the one wing (now the Carnegie Room) was used for an emergency hospital ward helping to house the many injured souls.

Much remaining unchanged, the manor house still has the original heavy oak and walnut panelling, hand-carved fireplaces and the impressive sweeping staircase. High alabaster-decorated ceilings and stone-framed leaded windows… emblazoned with crests of the various local townsmen’s guilds. From an age of chandeliers, candelabras and gas lanterns… now electrified of course. Upstairs & downstairs…out of sight there are still traces of the servant quarters in the attic and the Master’s wine cellar. The old scullery and endless passages have become the modern hotel kitchen, staff facilities and stores.

On the grand staircase hangs an over-sized full length portrait of the young debutante Mary Ann Soden in the guise of a ballerina painted circa 1860. In the leaded windows above the stairs can be seen Dr & Mrs Iliffe’s initials and the house’s date as well as the two family coats of arms.

At the top of the stairs next to the children’s old playroom (now the Warwick Room) two early photographs are displayed. On the left is Doctor Iliffe in his later years resplendent with top hat and greatcoat. The right-hand print, taken of an early oil painting, is said to be of his father-in-law Henry Soden.

Further round the landing; a formal portrait of the Doctor hangs on the wall close to the Master’s old bedroom; his steely gaze following guests climbing his staircase… with apparent disdain.

Of further interest and connection was the 1914 visit to Coventry of Andrew Carnegie the Scottish-American philanthropist having given funds the previous year to create local libraries of which some still bear the benefactor’s name. He was conferred with the Freedom of the City at the time. One of the hotel’s entertainment and banqueting venues is named The Carnegie Room in small tribute to him.

In 1969, the hotel became a Crest Hotel, a progressive hotel group of the time, and soon saw the addition of the extra bedroom block. This change of name was disappointing to local residents and regular customers.

However, the name was reversed to The Chace when the current owners, Corus Hotels Limited, acquired the business. Maintaining the historic hostelry’s popularity and offering travellers a welcome home away from home.

Stories abound of a spectral nature with ghostly sightings being reported over the years. One such apparition is thought to be Mary Ann Iliffe in mourning gown… it is said that she never wanted to move out of the house and so returns periodically. Other unexplained events have been attributed to visitations of the urchins and wretches seconded to the house from the workhouse never to leave. Poor salvation indeed.

And then there’s the tale of the highwayman who met his demise just along the old London Road… but that’s another story!