Spetchley Park lies 3 miles east of the city of Worcester. It has been owned by the Berkeley family for 500 years. The present, Georgian House dates from 1811. Apart from the extensive parkland, it also enjoys a notable, 30 acre garden. The house was requisitioned in 1940 and earmarked to be used by Winston Churchill and his Cabinet were London to become too dangerous or the Germans to make a successful landing in England.

Churchill never needed to leave London but the Spetchley Park had all that could possibly be wished for in a USAAF Rest Home.That was the role it played from June 1944 until the end of hostilities in Europe.

For USAAF combat air crews in the UK, home leave was impossible. So the doctors responsible for their well-being believed the next best thing would be Rest Homes, using the tranquillity, comfort and freedom from military routine achievable at English country houses or hotels.

Aircrew could, at least once during their tour, come for a week away from the horrors of war. After which it was hoped they would return to their units, refreshed.

On arrival, they were provided with civilian clothes. Uniforms only appeared for the evening dinner. Air Service Command supplied an administrative commanding officer, an adjutant and enlisted helpers. A Medical Officer, rotated each week from operational units, provided any necessary emergency care or medical advice.

American Red Cross girls acted as hostesses, supervising the recreation and dining. The American Red Cross also employed and managed the civilian staff needed to run the house and maintain the grounds.

Spetchley Park joined the programme on 1st June 1944. It was set up to accommodate 45 enlisted men and was allocated to the 1st Bomb Division.

Since the war, the gardens and their associated buildings have become an increasingly important attraction, open not just for viewing but also as a location for Conferences or Meetings. It is also a popular, wedding venue.

The House is not open to the public.