BEST WESTERN Moore Place Hotel
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Moore Place History

The name Aspley Guise is believed to be derived from Aspen-Leigh meaning clearing in the aspen (alder) woods and from the de Guise family who owned much of the land during  Tudor times and are best known through Mary de Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots.

Moore Place was built as a private home in 1786 during the reign of George III by Frances Moore ‘a young upstart from Somerset’ and was sited right in the centre of the village.   Frances Moore was a pupil at the Academy in Aspley Guise and married the headmaster’s daughter.  He came into money at 21 years of age and then in 1770 inherited on the death of his father-in-law.  He seemed to have a talent for making money and bought up land in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, Staffordshire,  and Northamptonshire.  From 1775 on he set about acquiring Wavendon Heath.

Frances Moore built his imposing Georgian Mansion in the centre of the village, dominating the square, an eloquent monument to its builder’s aspirations

During the Second World War the village became known as ‘the hush-hush village’.  Many of the villagers worked at Bletchley Park (Station X) the de-coding centre for the allied forces which was only 5 miles away.  During this time Moore Place was used as the headquarters for the 6th Army Field Workshops RAOC, their mess and cookhouse was a corrugated iron building in the grounds – where now a delightful patio and water feature stand.

Previously Moore Place was called "The Holt" which had extensive repair after the war. The Photos show its journey to becoming the building it is today. Our cellar used to be a bar/disco room for the local youths, many locals still remember it fondly!