The Place
If you’re planning a second honeymoon, a break from work or a weekend away from the kids, this Victorian former shooting lodge in the grand hotel tradition is a sybaritic paradise, from which only your wallet and your waistline will suffer. The location is unrivalled, standing in stately grandeur on a wooded hillock, surrounded by manicured lawns, surveying the expanse of Rutland Water.
We recently revisited and noticed afresh how Hambleton uniquely tailors its service to the guest. Everything from food to the garden to the illustrated menu exceeds expectations.
The interior is sumptuous. In her design of the rooms, Stefa Hart uses rich, heavy fabrics, combining stripes and chintzes in some of the bedrooms, and showing a preference for delicate colours. The rooms still have their original mouldings and fireplaces and are furnished with fine antiques and paintings. Bedrooms with a view over the water are the most sought-after and expensive.
Many people are drawn here by the wizardry of Michelin-starred chef, Aaron Patterson. He works his magic on only the freshest of ingredients, whether Hambleton beef, sea bass or veal sweetbreads. Some time ago Tim and Stefa Hart opened a home bakery – Hambleton Bakery – that makes a variety of breads and cakes. We particularly like their Hambleton Sourdough loaf and croissants.