Pride of Britain Hotels welcomes new member, Hambleton Hall

Pride of Britain Hotels, the consortium of 47 privately-owned independent British hotels and spas, is delighted to announce a new member: Hambleton Hall, a smart country house hotel in Rutland.

Overlooking Rutland Water, Hambleton Hall is the second Relais & Châteaux member to join the consortium. The luxurious 17-bedroom hotel has remained in the same hands since it opened over 30 years ago, continuing to provide exceptional hospitality and exquisite dining. The beautifully-kept gardens include an outdoor pool, as well as the Croquet Pavilion – a two-bedroom folly which offers the hotel’s most sumptuous accommodation. The Michelin-starred restaurant, run by chef Aaron Patterson, serves superb seasonal food with an emphasis on local produce, while a lengthy wine list has been carefully put together by the hotel’s sommelier. The hotel even has its own bakery, creating delicious handmade artisan bread, which scooped the title of ‘Britain’s Best Bakery’ on ITV last December. For active types, there’s walking, cycling and sailing on the doorstep, and the area’s also dotted with numerous country houses and picturesque churches to visit, as well as the Rutland Water Nature Reserve, one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in the UK.

A one-night stay costs from £130 pp (two sharing) including full English breakfast and a morning newspaper.

The addition of Hambleton Hall takes the Pride of Britain consortium to 47 member properties, close to the maximum of 50 allowed in its rules. All applications for membership are followed by an overnight inspection, carried out by a current member hotelier, before being presented to members in a ballot.

Comments Peter Hancock, Chief Executive of Pride of Britain Hotels: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Hambleton Hall to the consortium as it represents everything we stand for – great service and luxury with an independent-minded proprietor. As you can imagine, with so few spaces available, our board scrutinises every application very carefully and we have had to turn down several hotels this year.”

Here are some autumnal offerings around the country from Pride of Britain Hotels:

Log fires and riverside walks, Berkshire – from £115 pp

With its riverside spot in Sonning-on-Thames and an enticingly-cosy interior, The French Horn in Berkshire is perfect for an autumn break. Enjoy a leisurely drink in the panelled bar whilst watching duck – the house speciality – roasting on the fire. Spit-roasted duck has been on the menu for over 60 years and continues to be cooked in exactly the same way. Next day, walk along the willow-lined Thames, following the paths towards Henley or Reading. A night’s stay this autumn costs from £115 pp (two sharing) including breakfast and dinner.

Practice your pickling, Wiltshire – from £175 pp

Learn to preserve seasonal gluts of fruit and vegetables on this new autumnal cooking course at luxury hotel Lucknam Park’s Cookery School. Learn the age-old art of preserving on the ‘Preserves, Chutneys and Pickles’ course (1 October) where you’ll discover how to make the most of the seasonal harvest so that you can enjoy the flavours all winter. Starting with fruit and vegetable chutneys, you’ll then move onto more adventurous preserves, such as the classic French rillete. Each course lasts a day and costs from £175 pp including lunch with a glass of wine, all ingredients, light refreshments throughout the day and a goody bag. A night’s stay (room only) this autumn costs from £110 pp (two sharing).

Gardens galore, North Wales – from £260 pp

National Trust-owned Bodysgallen Hall and Spa sits in 200 acres of grounds and woodland on the North Wales coast. An area rich in historical buildings and gardens, the magnificent country house hotel is an ideal base for soaking up the spectacular autumn colours. Its own grounds include a rockery with cascade and a walled garden and, this autumn, the hotel is offering guests free entry to a local property. Pick from World Heritage Site Conwy Castle, award-winning Bodnant Garden, medieval Caernarfon Castle and more. A two-night Autumn Break costs from £260 pp (two sharing) including two nights’ half-board accommodation, unlimited use of the spa and admission to a named local place of interest.

Still time to swim come September (and beyond), Essex – from £150 pp

Prolong that summer feeling with a stay at the 12-bedroom Maison Talbooth this autumn, where guests can swim outdoors year-round. Whatever the weather, the glorious outdoor pool is heated to 29.5°C and, after a swim, relax in the hot tub or tuck into afternoon tea in the pool house in front of a log fire. Later, head to the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Le Talbooth on the River Stour, with its timbered interiors and locally-inspired menu. A night’s stay this autumn costs from £150 pp (two sharing) including full breakfast and dinner.

To book an overnight stay, and for the best available price, visit prideofbritainhotels.com.