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Margaret Thatcher's favourite hotel in the Malvern Hills has been put on the market for £1.95million by its owners after 26 years.
After Sir Denis Thatcher died in 2003, Baroness Thatcher's devoted personal assistant Cynthia Crawford decided to take the grieving former prime minister to the Malvern Hills.
She and "Crawfie", who lives in Worcester, stayed at the Cottage in the Wood, which has some of the best views in England. Lady Thatcher fell in love with the hotel and returned for five-day holidays, until ill health made it too difficult.
Now, the hotel's owners for 26 years, John and Sue Pattin, tell Mandrake that they are selling up. "She was nothing other than incredibly gracious," Mr Patin says of the Iron Lady.
He remembers his first call from Crawfie. "I thought it was an April Fool's joke that had come early. Then, I found out Special Branch had already been in, secretly posing as customers to check the hotel out and vet it."
Lady Thatcher would arrive in a chauffer-driven bullet-proof car, followed by three Special Branch security staff, while the hotel and grounds would be kitted out with special listening devices able to track conversations to ensure her safety.
"She always had the same room and the room next door, which would be used to entertain people during the day," he says. "She would eat breakfast and dinner at the restaurant like the other guests.
"Over the years, we got to know her well and so did the staff, and I have to say she was absolutely lovely. She was witty, chatty and could talk to any of us about anything, from the weather to sausages. One night I remember her saying to a receptionist, 'I hope I haven't kept you up, dear'. It was only 9.30pm, but that was the caring person she was."
Mr Pattin says Lady Thatcher frequently spoke of her fondness for Malvern. "From the hotel, on a good day, she could see 30 miles across the landscape, and she loved this area. I know she polarised views, but people with strong opinions often do."
The hotel is for sale at £1.95?million with the estate agents Christie + Co. Its director, Gavin Wright, says: "Hotels with the highest possible endorsement do not come on to the market too often". telegraph.co