Staycation 2020: Boutique Manor House Hotel With Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Hampton Manor, a Warwickshire boutique hotel in a neo-Gothic manor house, has reopened this month with an excellent “staycation” offer. The hotel, which refers to itself as “a restaurant with rooms,” is an essential destination for foodies. The newly launched, two-night staycation offer includes meals (one of which is in Michelin-starred Peel’s Restaurant) and a wine-tasting. On the first night, guests dine in the Smokehouse located within the grounds among the firepits and candlelit greenhouses and on the second night guests dine in the Manor, at Michelin-starred Peel’s Restaurant, ensuring social distancing throughout.

Hampton Manor has seventeen spacious rooms and suites and, in accordance with government guidelines, only 38 overnight guests can stay at one time. A hidden camera discreetly takes staff and guest temperatures as they enter the building and social distancing measures are in place including carefully spaced tables in the dining areas. And for guests who prefer more seclusion, the lovely private Manor Cottage, which overlooks the walled garden, can be booked by a group of friends. The cozy cottage has its own modern kitchen, large lounge, four ensuite bedrooms and its own private garden.

Set in 45 lush, green acres in the heart of Warwickshire, Hampton Manor, like most of the UK’s great houses, has a notable history. Hampton Manor, was designed by English architect, William Eden Nesfield in 1855, for Frederick Peel who was given the estate by his father, Sir Robert Peel, a former Prime Minister and founder of London’s Metropolitan Police. If you ever wondered where the nicknames for London police officers “bobby” and “peeler” came from, they originated with the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel. In addition to a classic Victorian walled garden, an ornate clock tower, the estate features rolling green hills and wooded paths with many fine trees, including two giant redwood trees planted for Albert and Queen Victoria. There are plans to develop the clocktower, built as a folly purely for decoration in 1872, possibly as an art gallery or music venue.

James Hill and Fjona Black carefully restored the Grade II listed manor house ten years ago, maintaining its attractive historic features and adding contemporary design touches throughout.  The influence of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement can be seen throughout the property. Artwork from local artists, vintage pieces from antique markets, William Morris inspired wallpaper, wood panelling and modern furnishings, all sit comfortably together. And comfort certainly seems to be the objective here, from the food to the well appointed, uniquely decorated guest rooms and common areas. While service is attentive, Hampton Manor feels more like a grand country home than a hotel, a place that you can make your own, with a chilled-out weekend houseparty vibe. During a stay, all guests are invited to meet owners James and Fjona for a complimentary wine tasting and a guided tour of the Walled Garden designed in 1891 by Thomas Mawson, the first President of the Landscape Institute.

Visitors travel from afar to dine at Peel’s Restaurant, the popular Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Chef Rob Palmer. Hampton Manor has won many accolades for this destination restaurant, from visitors and critics alike. Peel’s has held a Michelin-star since 2016 and won Four AA-Rosettes the same year. The restaurant prides itself on using local produce and the plan is to eventually source almost everything from the organic kitchen garden. The staycation offer includes a four or six-course tasting menu, served in the beautiful dining room with stained glass windows, oak panelling and a decorative ceiling. Expect to see items like turbot with leeks, mushrooms and champagne, and lamb with ewes curd, on the Modern British menu. Peel’s is also known for its superb, award-winning wine list that has a focus on new producers, difficult to source and “natural” wines, including English Bacchus wines and some of the most exciting wines from small vineyards in Europe. The wine list is the current winner of the AA Wine Award Overall 2019-20. Aiming to make the dining offer even more interesting, Hampton Manor often invites top guest chefs for one-night residencies. Gareth Ward, of the acclaimed Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales, was a recent guest chef, with a special comfort food menu that included tempura prawn as a starter and katsu curry as the main.

The 45 acres of gardens are fantastic to sunbathe in, or as a starting point before a longer walk. Each guest is given a field guide with various walks further afield and highlights a network of footpaths around the village of Hampton-in-Arden, including access to the historic Packhorse Bridge. The owners encourage guests to make themselves at home inside. Before or after dinner, be sure to have an aperitif in Fred’s Bar or in the parlour. Spin some vinyl, play a game of billiards or chess. Make Hampton Manor your home away from home.

The two-night staycation package for two at Hampton Manor is priced from £730. Onsite parking is available and Hampton-in-Arden train station with direct trains from London Euston is a 5-minute walk away.