Forest Park Country Hotel in Brockenhurst bought by the Coaching Inn Group

A HISTORIC New Forest hotel has been sold to a pub group.

Forest Park Country Hotel in Brockenhurst, which hosted dinner for Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 and was the general hospital for Indian and New Zealand military during the First World War, is now part of the Coaching Inn Group.

Owned by pub investment firm RedCat Pub Company, it brings the Coaching Inn Group's collection of hotels and pubs to 29.

Previously owned by hoteliers Kevin Wood, Brian Shone and Terry Taylor, Forest Park underwent a multi-million-pound refurb in 2019 and has 40 bedrooms, an inn and restaurant.

Kevin Charity, chief executive of the Coaching Inn Group, said he was was delighted with the sale: “Thanks to RedCat’s support, we have been working at pace over the last few months to expand our attractive portfolio, particularly in areas of scenic natural beauty which see strong tourist visitation.”

Rooney Anand, executive chairman of RedCat, added: “RedCat and the Coaching Inn Group continue to selectively invest, focusing on running high-quality pub hotels across the country, which will offer customers the best possible service and good value.

"I’m particularly proud of our recent acquisitions in popular tourist destinations including the New Forest, North Norfolk and Brecon Beacons National Park, which attract both domestic and international visitors.”

Built in the 19th century as a vicarage, the site was commandeered during the First World War as part of the Lady Hardinge Hospital for Wounded Indian Soldiers and fitted out as a medical facility.

It's the 11th acquisition by the Coaching Inn Group under RedCat, which now owns more than 100 pubs and hotels.