The Moat House hotel name carries two very different stories. One is the rapid rise and dramatic collapse of Queens Moat Houses PLC, the UK chain whose shares were suspended on 31 March 1993 after an accounting scandal (Wikipedia). The other is a 600-year-old manor in Staffordshire that operates independently today – and here you will find its history, current ownership, and practical details for a stay.
Last checked: 2026-06-28
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Location: Acton Trussell, Staffordshire, England · Rooms: 41 · Dining: 2 AA Rosette · Starting price: £108 per night
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-28.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Visit Staffordshire tourism site, Staffs Past Track (county archives), Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Wikipedia, ratedtrips.com expert review.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.
Snapshot: The Moat House, Acton Trussell
- Acton Trussell, Staffordshire, England (The Moat House official site)
- 41 bedrooms (official site)
- 2 AA Rosettes (The Moat House official site)
- £108 per night (KAYAK 2026)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Acton Trussell, Staffordshire, England |
| Rooms | 41 |
| Dining | 2 AA Rosette |
| Starting price | £108 per night |
What happened to Moat House hotels?
The largest part of the story belongs to Queens Moat Houses PLC. Founded in the early 1970s by John Bairstow, the company grew aggressively and by 1991 had become the third-largest hotelier in the United Kingdom, behind only Forte Group and Mount Charlotte (Wikipedia). On 31 March 1993, trading in its shares was suspended after an accounting scandal that triggered a Section 432(2) investigation under the Companies Act 1985. The company never recovered its public standing.
The fall of Queens Moat Houses in the 1990s
After the scandal, the chain began selling off assets to reduce debt. In 1997 it sold 25 hotels, and by 2004–2005 the entire PLC was acquired by Goldman Sachs and taken private, later operating as QMH Limited. Portfolios were sold in tranches: nine hotels went for about £100 million in October 2005, and 20 German hotels were bought by Israel-based Fattal Hotels in February 2013. By 2014 the corporate entity had been fully broken up.
Surviving properties and current status
Today, a handful of hotels still carry the Moat House name, but they are independent properties with no connection to the former PLC. The most prominent is the Moat House in Acton Trussell, Staffordshire – a Grade II listed manor house whose earliest parts date from the early 14th century (Staffs Past Track). Other historic buildings called Moat House exist in Liverpool and Alcester, but each is separately owned.
Timeline: Queens Moat Houses PLC and The Moat House, Acton Trussell
- Early 1970s: Queens Moat House Hotels founded by John Bairstow.
- 1991: Becomes third-largest UK hotelier.
- 31 March 1993: Share trading suspended after accounting scandal.
- 1997: 25 hotels sold to reduce debt.
- 2004–2005: Acquired by Goldman Sachs, rebranded QMH Limited.
- October 2005: Nine hotels sold for approx. £100 million.
- February 2013: 20 German hotels sold to Fattal Hotels.
- Independent timeline: The Moat House, Acton Trussell – earliest parts date from early 14th century; operates continuously as a family-run hotel to the present day.
The pattern: The corporate chain was dismantled within a decade of its scandal, while the historic Staffordshire manor survived independently, proving that the name alone does not link the two.
Who owns Moat House?
The Moat House in Acton Trussell is owned and run by an independent family. Its official website describes it as “an independent hotel and 2 AA Rosette restaurant second to none” (The Moat House official site). There is no corporate parent; the property is privately operated, distinct from any hotel group.
Independent family ownership
This independence is a point of pride. The hotel positions itself as one of Staffordshire’s premier hotels, emphasising “600 years of history” in its marketing by Visit Staffordshire (Visit Staffordshire). The family ownership allows the property to maintain a character that chain hotels rarely achieve.
Where is the Moat House hotel?
The address is: The Moat House, Acton Trussell, Stafford, Staffordshire ST17 0RJ. It sits on the side of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, in a genuine moated setting. The nearest train station is Stafford (about 3 miles away), and the M6 motorway is roughly 15 minutes by car.
Address and surroundings
The building is a 17th-century timbered manor that has been sympathetically extended. Expert reviews note the “idyllic, genuinely moated canal-side setting” (RatedTrips). The grounds include a lake and gardens, making it a popular spot for wedding photography and afternoon walks.
Nearby attractions and transport links
Within a 20-minute drive: Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, and the historic city of Lichfield with its three-spired cathedral. Birmingham International Airport is about 40 minutes away. The hotel offers free on-site parking.
How many rooms does the Moat House have?
The Moat House has 41 bedrooms. Room types include classic doubles, four-poster suites, and accessible ground-floor rooms. All offer free Wi‑Fi and complimentary English breakfast. Check-in is from 15:00, check-out by 11:00 (Booking.com).
Room types and facilities
Each room is individually decorated, with many overlooking the garden, lake, or canal. The hotel’s website highlights the “luxury bedrooms” with flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, and en-suite bathrooms. The Orangery Restaurant serves the 2 AA Rosette dining, featuring seasonal ingredients.
Wedding venue capacity
The hotel holds a civil ceremony licence and can host weddings for up to 100 guests. The Moat House is a popular choice for couples seeking a historic, moated setting for their ceremony and reception. Reviews on TripAdvisor often praise the wedding coordination and the scenic grounds.
Pricing band
Based on the KAYAK average nightly rate of £108, the Moat House sits in the mid-range luxury bracket for country-house hotels in Staffordshire. Prices vary by season – summer weekends and wedding dates command premiums – but it remains more accessible than many competing heritage properties in the region.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official star rating | 4 AA stars |
| Dining award | 2 AA Rosettes |
| Number of bedrooms | 41 |
| Historical listing | Grade II listed (15th-century origins) |
| Check-in / out | 15:00 / 11:00 |
| Parking | Free on-site |
| Wi‑Fi | Free |
| Continental/American plan | Free English breakfast included |
Alternatives in set: Other Moat House properties
Several other hotels carry the Moat House name, but they are unrelated to the Staffordshire property. The Moat House in Liverpool (on the Wirral) is a modern country hotel; the Moat House in Alcester is a medieval manor turned wedding venue. Neither is part of the former Queens Moat Houses group. For readers exploring the Staffordshire area, the Acton Trussell Moat House is the most historic and best rated.
Our pick: The Moat House, Acton Trussell
Best for: history enthusiasts, couples seeking a romantic luxury escape, wedding planners, and business travellers who value character over chain consistency. The combination of genuine 14th-century origins, 2 AA Rosette dining, and independent family ownership makes it a standout in Staffordshire.
Why it wins: the moated canal-side setting, Grade II listing, and ties to a 600-year history that predates the corporate Queens Moat House story entirely.
“By 1991, the company was the third largest hotelier in the United Kingdom, after Forte Group and Mount Charlotte.”
– Wikipedia summary of Queens Moat House history, Encyclopaedia-style secondary source
“On 31 March 1993, trading in its shares was suspended after an accounting scandal.”
– Wikipedia summary of Queens Moat House history, Encyclopaedia-style secondary source
onlineethics.org, expedia.com, kayak.co.uk, facebook.com, warks.muddystilettos.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
What dining awards does The Moat House hold?
The Moat House holds 2 AA Rosettes for its restaurant, the Orangery, which serves seasonal British cuisine using local ingredients.
Is The Moat House a wedding venue?
Yes. The hotel holds a civil ceremony licence and can host up to 100 wedding guests. The historic grounds and canal-side setting make it a popular choice.
What is the history of the building?
The earliest parts of the manor date from the early 14th century, with significant 17th-century additions. It is a Grade II listed building and has been a family-run hotel for many decades.
How can I book a room at The Moat House?
You can book directly via the hotel’s official website, or through major booking platforms such as Booking.com.
What is the address of The Moat House?
The Moat House, Acton Trussell, Stafford, Staffordshire ST17 0RJ, England.
The Moat House in Acton Trussell stands apart from the chain collapse that made the name infamous. Its independent ownership, medieval origins, and 2 AA Rosette dining give it a distinct identity that travellers and history enthusiasts can explore with confidence. Whether you come for the history, the food, or the canal-side setting, the 15th-century manor delivers a stay rooted in genuine heritage.