In April of 2011, a British couple, with extensive experience in the publishing business, decided to pack up and become owners of a motel in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Richard Proctor had been in the business side of publishing and his wife, Clare Weatherall, was a writer and editor. Together they set out to purchase and renovate a motel nestled on Route 7 between Great Barrington and Stockbridge, two extremely popular tourist attractions.
Berkshire Holiday
In the mid-1990's Richard and Clare had their first vacation in the Berkshire area and enjoyed it so much that they returned and purchased a home in 2005. It was not long before they decided that they were no longer vitally interested in the London publishing scene and when the motel came up for sale they purchased it.
Briarcliff Motel
The motel has 16 rooms and half were renovated by October of 2011.The remaining rooms are expected to be ready by late fall of 2011. In the summer of 2012 there will also be a new guest lounge and kitchen.The Proctors are very friendly and pleasant, but not intrusive. Staying here is the closest thing to being at home for the weary traveler. Situated back from the road, the motel affords a great view of Monument Mountain across the highway.
Attractions in The Berkshires
Standing back from the road, the motel gives one a great view of Monument Mountain across the highway. History abounds in this general area and some of the attractions include the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge; The Guthrie Center; Chesterwood, the home and studio of the sculptor Daniel Chester French; The Mount, home of author Edith Wharton; The Hancock Shaker Village and Tanglewood, to name but a few.
Henriette Deluzy Desportes
In one corner of the Stockbridge cemetery the visitor will find the grave of Henriette Deluzy Desportes Field, whose connection to the famous Choiseul-Praslin family in Paris was written about by her great-niece Rachel Field and later made into the movie "All This and Heaven Too."
Many members of the illustrious Field family are to be found at rest in the cemetery including Stephen Johnson Field, United States supreme court justice for thirty-four years and Cyrus West Field, who laid the Atlantic cable.
Restaurants in The Berkshires
The visitor to The Berkshires will find many fine restaurants and cafes in the area. One in particular is Rubi's, found behind Rubiner's Cheese House, which is situated in a converted bank building with pillars on the Main Street in Great Barrington. Others include the Riverbend Cafe in Great Barrington; Castle Street Cafe, Great Barrington; Starving Artist Cafe and Creperie, Lee, Massachusetts; The Lion's Den, at the Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge and the excellent Once Upon a Table, Main Street in Stockbridge.
But best of all, back at The Briarcliff Motel you will enjoy a complimentary breakfast of tea, coffee and some of Clare's homemade baking...muffins, scones and whatever she decides to bake that day. There are also jars of homemade granola and yogurt for your early morning pleasure.
Happy Travels!
The Briarcliff Motel,
506 Stockbridge Road,
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413-528-3000
hello@thebriarcliffmotel.com
Anya Laurence - A writer, teacher and classical pianist, Anya Laurence has had three books published, as well as many articles in various magazines and ...
