Getting Back To Nature | A Country Escape at Hampton Manor

Life, Travel
No Comments

I enjoy good food. Love great wine. I live in the city but am from the country so I crave the green scenery once in a while. I’m pretty easy to please.

Unfortunately it’s often rare to find a place that combines everything I adore without fault and one that offers a relaxing experience for a break away.

After a heavy five days partying in Las Vegas (post coming soon), feeling enormously jet lagged Daniel and I headed for some R&R at the luxurious and interesting, Hampton Manor. A three day break that online, looked pretty incredible actually.

With 15 bespoke bedrooms and a history stemming back to 1066, its website promised an old manor complete with team of young creatives describing it as their ‘playground’. We certainly hoped it would fulfil its promise. All too often we’ve stayed at places that are quite stuffy with that feeling that you have to be on your best behaviour.

As we were jet lagged and still on America time (8 hours behind) we desperately didn’t want to feel uncomfortable or have any problems. We also hoped for a bit of understanding when we were still awake at 3am.

First Impressions

Entering the manor, the first thing you’ll noticed is the attention to detail. A display cabinet with some gorgeous pieces for sale, comfortable seating and everything sparkling clean. First impressions are everything I mean how many times have you entered somewhere and seen a napkin on the floor or empty glasses left lying around?

The Decor

After having a peek around the rooms (including Peel’s Restaurant which has just received a Michelin Star and has been awarded 4 Rosettes by the AA for culinary excellence) we popped up to our bedroom. Rooms are a short walk up a grand staircase that has the most amazing carved oak banister. The decor is superb, complete with original Minton tiles and hand-painted stained glass. I loved the eclectic features and strong colours. They are literally an interior decorator’s dream. Fireplaces, beautiful marble topped tables and chinoiserie wallpaper and lots of originality.

The Rooms

To say it was impressive is an understatement. A stay at Hampton Manor, the rooms range from £160 per night to £350 per night. Popular with brides, the ‘Sarah Ireland’ master suite is a room to celebrate. It has its own private stair lounge, (accessed by what is historically known as the mistresses exit, ha!) and there are two stunning lounge areas.

Dan and I spent time in the ‘Henrietta Maria‘ room. It’s sassy and quirky and comes with a bath and a wet room style shower. I couldn’t help but shower inside the mosaic tiled area and take a bath (albeit at 3am – jet lag!). One of the most incredible features of this room is looking up from the washroom up the huge tower with windows at the top (above image).

For the second night, we upgraded to the ‘George Fentham’ suite. It’s a large spacious junior suite with a lounge area and double ended boat bath – another favourite bridal suite.

Explore

There is always something to do. You don’t feel harassed by staff and you’re left to your own devices but still with attentive service when necessary. Aside from the 5 mile walk, guests can enjoy lunch on the lawn or cocktails in the stunning parlour.

The Food

If you’ve heard of Hampton Manor before, you may have heard the phrase “food is an event”. The divine Peel’s Restaurant is recommended by many food critics and has been commended by The Times, The Sunday Telegraph and The Birmingham Food & Drink Awards 2016 where Peel’s Restaurant was voted Birmingham’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant. Additionally, Hampton Manor was voted the Best Afternoon Tea Establishment and Best Hotel.

As well as the incredible smells, reading the menu in advance already had us salivating. Like all foodies, my day centered around when we could eat. Well, and how often I could eat during the day!

Having lived in London for eight years and working near Mayfair, it’s been my job to take clients for breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea’s. Heading outside of London, I’m usually disappointed with meals. Steaks rarely cooked the way I like, sandwiches not as fresh, sushi… well, don’t even go there. It’s no secret that London’s food scene is one of the best in the world and ultimately, each eatery competing against their neighbour’s 5 Star standard. It’s tricky for places outside of London to match such high standards but Hampton Manor blew it out of the water. ‘Exceptional’ does not even do the dishes justice, I went to bed thinking about the Burrata.