A new addition to Broadway’s hospitality scene has arrived with the opening of House of George, an elegant boutique hotel and restaurant housed within a restored 17th-century limestone building. Located in the heart of the Cotswolds village, the property, which dates back to 1201, has been transformed into a ten-bedroom retreat blending historic character with contemporary craftsmanship.
The launch marks a new venture for George Davies, known for founding retail names including Next, George at ASDA, and Per Una at Marks & Spencer. Alongside his wife Arlene, the couple have extended their design sensibilities into hospitality, preserving the building’s architectural features while introducing a modern finish.
Reflecting on this career shift, Davies said: “Since the start of my career, retailing has been one of the greatest challenges and rewards of my life… Much of the credit for those successes goes to the talented colleagues who worked alongside and supported me. That is, until now. It has been both a privilege and a joy to breathe new life into this remarkable building and create something truly special for Broadway.”
At the centre of the hotel is Moda, a 30-cover fine-dining restaurant led by Head Chef James Wilson. Wilson’s culinary background includes roles at the three Michelin-starred Keys Hotel, The Newt in Somerset, and several acclaimed Nordic restaurants such as Grön (one star), Palace (two stars) and Oaxen Krog (two stars).
Moda offers a seasonal nine-course tasting menu that adapts to available produce from trusted suppliers. Autumn dishes include Cornish lobster with potato, dill and lobster butter sauce; duck with boudin noir, spices and squash; and a dessert featuring sea buckthorn, Earl Grey and white chocolate. The menu also features a hand-cut beef tartare, prepared with hay-smoked oil emulsion, wild garlic seed capers, smoked bone marrow and lovage vinaigrette.
A vegan tasting menu complements the main offer, with plant-based dishes such as Hispi Cabbage with Chanterelle, Beer and Onion; Squash with Buckwheat, Smoked Almond and Sorrel; and Plum with Fig Leaf and Woodruff. An à la carte and set lunch menu is also available Monday to Friday, priced at £40 for two courses or £45 for three. On Sundays, Moda presents a field-to-fork roast menu, featuring ingredients sourced from Martins Meats and Worcester Produce, both based in the surrounding Cotswolds.
Wilson shared his anticipation for the opening: “I am excited and incredibly proud to be opening The House of George W. Davies and Moda restaurant in the beautiful Cotswolds. I’m looking forward to bringing my cooking style to Broadway and to be working with the amazing local producers and makers we have here. Supported by ambitious owners George and Arlene Davies, and surrounded by a driven team, we are all full of excitement for what we can achieve together.”
Design plays a central role in the experience at House of George. The restoration was led by Arlene Davies, who trained at the National Design Academy, working closely with Laura Cole of The Cole Collective. The interiors incorporate pieces from British artisans, including hand-printed fabrics by Rapture & Wright, upholstery from Abraham Moon, and bespoke joinery crafted by Cotswood Fine Furniture and Cotswold Oak Joinery. Artwork from The Stratford Gallery and glassware by Carrie-Anne Funnell complete the aesthetic.
Describing the project’s ethos, Arlene Davies said: “From the very beginning, we wanted to create somewhere that feels connected to the soul of Broadway, a place where guests can relax, feel at home, and experience something truly memorable… Every texture, tone, and flavour has been chosen to celebrate this beautiful part of the Cotswolds.”
Communal spaces include a bar inspired by the atmosphere of a local pub, with exposed Cotswold brickwork, red velvet seating, and a cocktail list themed around George Davies’ career milestones. One such drink, “The 1981”, blends vodka, gin, rum, reposado tequila, Cointreau, Earl Grey syrup and milk.
Adjacent to the bar, the Snug offers a quieter space furnished with deep red armchairs, a roaring fire, and a solid wood backgammon board. For private bookings, Il Fronte Della Casa accommodates up to ten guests for dinners, tastings or meetings, offering a more intimate setting within the venue.
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