Hambleton Hall

Family-owned Hambleton Hall, which used to be a Victorian shooting lodge, sits in a scenic lakeside location just over two hours’ drive north of London. A Relais & Châteaux member, the hotel has received widespread praise for its unpretentious but professional approach to hospitality for more than 30 years. But the owners are not ones to sit back and congratulate themselves. The attractive public spaces feel fresh and polished and you’ll find thoughtful touches throughout. Meanwhile, bedrooms and public rooms combine comfort with carefully chosen antiques and traditional furniture. The overall integrity is preserved in the hotel’s kitchen, where the head chef treats fresh local ingredients imaginatively in modern British dishes. Michelin-starred cooking (the three-course à la carte menu is priced at £65pp) can be accompanied by wines from a list that in 2011 won an award for being the best in the UK.

Hambleton Hall's restaurant review