Five Centuries of History
The Tudor Pass is set within Great Fosters, a magnificent Elizabethan manor house built around 1550. The estate's history stretches much further back. The site was known as the manor of Imworth, with records of the de Imworth family living there from 1224. The earliest mention of the name “Fosters” appears in court rolls from 1521. An original royal crest of Queen Elizabeth I, dating to 1598, can still be found above the main porch.
Notable residents include Sir John Dodderidge (1555-1628), a judge of the King’s Bench, and in the early 20th century, Baroness Halkett, Queen Alexandra’s lady-in-waiting. The estate was purchased by Harold Sutcliffe in 1931 and remained with the Sutcliffe family until 2018, when Alexander Hotels acquired it.
A New Chef, A Continuing Star
The restaurant, originally known as The Tudor Room, earned its Michelin star in March 2023 under chef Alex Payne. Following Payne’s departure to Sorrel in Dorking, chef Stefano Di Giosia took over in July 2025. Di Giosia brings a fascinating pedigree: years in the development kitchen at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, and most recently part of the team at KOL in Marylebone, one of only two British restaurants on the World’s 50 Best list.
His menus at The Tudor Pass are built on seasonality and locality, with many ingredients grown in the estate’s own kitchen gardens and orchards just steps from the kitchen door. The surprise tasting menu format adds theatre and anticipation.
An Intimate Experience
With just seven tables, The Tudor Pass offers an intimacy few restaurants can match. The room carries 500 years of history: low ceilings, ancient timbers, and the unmistakable atmosphere of an Elizabethan great house. Guests choose between a four-course or a longer signature selection, both showcasing Di Giosia’s inventive, ingredient-led approach.
