Bridgerton’s Kathryn Drysdale Champions Britain’s Historic Hotels for 2026 Season
From the Regency sweep of Bath’s Royal Crescent to Yorkshire’s Grantley Hall, the actress lends her voice to a curated trail of heritage stays.
Kathryn Drysdale, familiar to viewers as Madame Genevieve Delacroix in Bridgerton, is the new face of a trail celebrating Britain’s historic hotels. The campaign, now in its 2026 iteration, pairs carefully preserved heritage properties with contemporary comfort, inviting visitors to inhabit spaces where centuries of stories linger in staircases, panelled rooms, and long corridors.
Drysdale’s role is to champion these hotels, highlighting the character and architectural significance of each, from Bath’s Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa with its sweeping Georgian curve, to the honey-stone tranquillity of The Painswick in Gloucestershire, and the nineteenth-century charm of Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire. In London, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences combines Art Deco elegance with the rhythm of a Mayfair address, while Yorkshire’s Grantley Hall and Middlethorpe Hall & Spa offer manor-house grandeur and quiet retreats, some with ties to historical figures like Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.
The actress said she was drawn to the programme by its blend of history and hospitality. “It’s rare to find places where the past feels present, where the architecture and atmosphere aren’t just preserved but celebrated,” Drysdale explained. “Stepping into these hotels is like stepping into a story — and I’m delighted to share that story with others this season.”
Each property in the trail balances its historical roots with modern comforts: spas and wellness rituals, curated dining experiences, and interiors designed to let visitors relax without erasing the original character of the building. The campaign goes beyond overnight stays, offering a programme of events called ‘Meet the Makers’ that explores British craftsmanship. Guests can engage with artisans from English wineries, historic hatmakers like Lock & Co., and other makers whose work bridges centuries-old techniques with contemporary practice.
Kalindi Juneja, chief executive of the hotel group behind the campaign, said: “Our goal is to offer an experience that is both rooted in history and fully alive today. Kathryn’s involvement helps bring attention to the personality of each property — the quirks, the atmosphere, and the stories that make them unforgettable.”
The 2026 season coincides with the publication of the latest edition of The Handle, the group’s annual coffee-table magazine, which delves into the theme of ‘Now & Then’. Among its features are Rooms with a Story, Breathing New Life: Architecture with Soul, and explorations of culinary heritage. The magazine is available across the collection, in private members’ clubs, on Eurostar, and in first-class airport lounges.
For visitors, the campaign is a prompt to explore beyond the usual London and Bath destinations. It offers a path through centuries of architecture, design, and storytelling — one that Drysdale, with her combination of period drama gravitas and modern confidence, is uniquely placed to guide.
Bookings for the trail and further information are available via PoB Hotels’ website, alongside details of the ‘Meet the Makers’ events and the 2026 edition of The Handle.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
