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MANOR HOUSE HOTEL

Appealing new-old rambling Cotswold manor house

GIVEN BY KING HENRY Vlll to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster centuries ago, the Manor House even boasts a priest’s hole and hidden pathways within the old stone walls. Heaven knows what secret trysts may have gone on here in times past – these ancient walls could probably tell a tale or two.

This ivy-covered historic Cotswold house has now been restored with contemporary good taste: a hint of exposed brickwork here, a mellow stone fireplace against fabulous wallpaper there; dark wooden bedsteads and tapestry benches in one room, more minimalist modern furnishings in another.

In the bar and lounges, huge copper bedwarmers hang beside a log fire whose yellow stones are blackened by centuries of winter fires. In the bathrooms, discover Molton Brown gels and lotions for indulgent pampering.

Hit the Spot
Centre stage in pretty Moreton-in-Marsh.

Pillow Talk
Climb the steps up into the fairytale four-poster in Room Eight.

Be Savvy
Royalty have been known to drop in here for tea.

Be Smitten
Olde-worlde beds, new-age dining.

Mulberry flavours

The award winning Mulberry bar and restaurant has a distinctly light and contemporary brasserie-style favour. It's renowned for its seasonal menus: taste the mulberries in cocktails, sauces and desserts. Tuck into prime Scottish beef cooked in red wine and shallots, or confit of duck leg partnered with a wild mushroom cassoulet.

Moreton-in-Marsh is the gateway to the Evenlode Valley, and an easy drive to Sudeley castle – home to Liz Hurley’s pal Henry Dent-Brocklehurst.

Manor House Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tim Treyman

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Dining in
Start your night in at the cocktail bar, before moving on to the Mulberry restaurant, with its vibrant artworks and colours. Menus combine local, seasonal ingredients with cosmopolitan flair: try Lighthorne lamb, whole squab pigeon, slow-cooked Blythburgh free range pork belly or poached turbot.

Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9.30am.

Room service
Available morning and evening

Where?
The Mulberry restaurant.

What's cooking?
Tortellini of salmon and crayfish with a ceviche of scallops, followed by roasted whole squab pigeon with pumpkin puree, poached apple and turnip.

Dress the part
No jeans and trainers; upbeat smart casual.

Top table?
Choose a banquette along the wall.

See & Do
There's plenty to see and do: Batsford Park Arboretum, Sezincote House and Garden, and Shakespeare's Stratford. It's also fun to nosey around the little Cotswold villages in the vicinity.

Dairy Dates
March
Watch the turf fly and the champers flow at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

September
Horses, sheepdogs and farm animals are among the stars of the Moreton-in-Marsh country show.

GETTING THERE

Location
High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0LJ

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Moreton in Marsh station – a quarter of a mile

Taxis
GBP 3 from the station – though it's a very short walk

Airport
Birmingham International – 41 miles

Rooms and suites
35 rooms and suites

Special features
Some have four-posters and period features such as fireplaces and window seats. All have bathrooms generously stocked with Molton Brown goodies.

Also...
The gardens are a pretty and tranquil place to relax, with herbaceous borders, water features and 300-year-old trees.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 145-320

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
2.30pm

Check-out
11.00 am

Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends

Children
Welcome, but no under 8s in the restaurant at night

Pets
Dogs are accepted in some rooms

Air conditioning
No

Wedding license?
Yes. Parties of up to 120 are catered for