Hambleton Hall

In summer, drinks on the terrace overlooking Rutland Water set the scene for a cosseting experience, while in winter open fires & plump sofas make a perfect retreat – there’s no doubt that Hambleton Hall is in the premier league of country house hotels. Aaron Patterson’s skilled kitchen turns complex ingredients into beautifully presented dishes full of harmonious flavours, be it a luxurious starter of pan-fried foie gras with rhubarb & lime or an assiette of baby rabbit with pearl barley risotto & liquorice-flavoured sauce served as a main course. To finish, hot passion fruit soufflé with passion fruit & banana sorbet is worth every penny of the hefty £15.25 price tag. Staff are gracious (at these prices they should be), & the atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed rather than formal.