Chef James Wilson opens Moda at House of George

Chef James Wilson, formerly of The Newt in Somerset, has opened Moda, a fine dining restaurant at the newly launched House of George.

The Cotswolds has a new arrival with serious design pedigree. Set in a restored 17th-century limestone building on Broadway’s high street, House of George is the latest venture from retail entrepreneur George Davies – best known for creating Next, George at ASDA and Per Una.

Together with his wife Arlene, the couple have transformed what was once the village doctor’s surgery into a ten-bedroom hotel that blends local heritage with a quietly confident sense of style.

The property dates back to 1201, and while much of its original character has been preserved, the interiors reflect a deep respect for British craftsmanship and contemporary design.

A culinary focus at Moda

At the heart of House of George sits Moda, a 30-cover fine dining restaurant led by head chef James Wilson. It marks James’ first solo venture after time at The Newt in Somerset and a career that’s taken him through some of Scandinavia’s most celebrated kitchens, including Grön and Palace in Helsinki and Oaxen Krog in Stockholm.

His approach is creative but grounded - dishes are seasonal, elegant and ingredient-led. The restaurant offers a nine-course tasting menu that shifts with the seasons, alongside à la carte and set lunch options. Current highlights include cornish lobster with potato, dill and lobster butter sauce, duck with boudin noir, spices and squash, and a delicate dessert of sea buckthorn, earl grey and white chocolate.

James’ signature beef tartare, mixed with hay-smoked oil and wild garlic seed capers, is finished with a smoked bone marrow and lovage vinaigrette – a dish that neatly sums up his style: refined technique, clean flavours, and a clear respect for produce.

There’s also a full vegan tasting menu, built around wild, foraged and plant-based ingredients, with dishes like hispi cabbage with chanterelle, beer and onion, and squash with buckwheat and sorrel.

For weekday diners, the set lunch menu is competitively priced at £40 for two courses or £45 for three. Sundays are reserved for James’ field-to-fork roast, with dry-aged longhorn beef and gloucester old spot pork supplied by Martins Meats in Toddington, and seasonal vegetables from Worcester Produce’s 800-acre farm in the Vale of Evesham.

Design with purpose

Inside, House of George feels deeply personal. Arlene, who studied at the National Design Academy, led the creative direction alongside Laura Cole of The Cole Collective. 

For guests, that philosophy extends beyond the rooms. The bar feels like a modern take on a village pub — exposed stone, plush red chairs, and a cocktail list inspired by George’s career milestones. Next door, The Snug invites fireside aperitifs, while Il Fronte Della Casa, the private dining room, offers a more intimate ten-seat setting for special occasions.

A new chapter for George Davies

For George, House of George marks a shift from retail to hospitality but not a departure from the values that built his brands. “From the very beginning, we wanted to create somewhere that feels connected to the soul of Broadway,” he said. “A place where guests can relax, feel at home, and experience something truly memorable.”

James added: “I’m incredibly proud to be opening Moda at The House of George. Bringing my cooking style to Broadway and working with the amazing local producers we have here is a dream. Supported by George and Arlene and surrounded by a driven team, we’re all full of excitement for what we can achieve together.”