HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will officially open the new 43-bedroom hotel and spa at Bowood in Wiltshire on Saturday May 16.

The Duchess will arrive at the hotel at 6.30pm and will be greeted by the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne.

She will be introduced to guests who will include the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Robert Floyd, civic leaders and local government representatives, Bowood staff and building contractors. The Duchess will then unveil a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the hotel and spa which has taken 18 months to build.

Four-year old Amelie Leather, the daughter of Bowood Estate Manager Charles Leather, will present the Duchess with a bouquet.

Lord Lansdowne said: “We are extremely honoured to have the new hotel and spa officially opened by Her Royal Highness.

“She has been following the development of the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort closely for some time. Her presence acknowledges the dedication and tireless work of so many and we are delighted that she will be with us to see a vision of more than 20 years come to fruition.”

Bowood has been home to the Lansdowne family since 1754. The new hotel and spa have been built alongside the existing Bowood Golf & Country Club, set back from the 18-hole championship golf course, to form Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.

The separate three-story hotel features 37 bedrooms and six suites, the 82-seater Shelburne Restaurant & Bar and two lounges (The Library and the Morning Room). The spa, which has its own dedicated entrance, comprises a 15x6 metre infinity swimming pool, hot pool, crystal steam room, rock sauna, aromatherapy showers, gym and spa bar. A range of beauty and health treatments will also be available to hotel guests in their own rooms. All rooms will have plasma screen televisions, internet access and Wi-Fi.

The new Bowood hotel adopts an English country house tone with interiors created by Lady Lansdowne, who has pursued a 34 year career as a designer since graduating from the Inchbald School of Design. She has drawn upon Bowood’s impressive heritage, reflecting themes to be found within Bowood House and across the estate while also bringing modern translations to classic pieces.