Set in very pretty grounds, with the most gloriously scented Rhododendrons, Willington Hall dates back to 1829. The country house has seen many changes and became a family run hotel in 1999.
Upon our arrival we were shown to our room. The front of house staff were charming and their attentiveness made it feel more like staying in a country house, rather than just a hotel.
Our room was bright and glorious with two huge windows overlooking the grounds. On one side the walled garden contained a small pond and fountain, and on the other side the terraced gardens led down to the helipad and then allowed a stunning vista of the local countryside, cattle and all!
There was even a huge window in the bathroom, beautifully draped with curtains. (I like curtains in bathrooms where thereÂ’s plenty of room). The bath was rather big with an amazing view from it. You could see for miles from the loo, too!
The furnishings were attractive and the room felt spacious but not empty. Certainly not empty with three chairs, a sofa, coffee table, side table, triple wardrobe, small chest of drawers, ginormous chest of drawers, two bedside cabinets, an ottoman, four lamps, a pretty chandelier and a very large four poster bed which was marvellously soft and snuggly. Everything was very clean and well presented. The windows were a little worn in places, but thatÂ’s to be expected in a beautiful old listed house. If you donÂ’t like character then this certainly isnÂ’t the hotel for you. IÂ’d go back here in a flash though!
We had a drink in the Study Bar and a walk around the grounds before having dinner in the hotelÂ’s Gainsborough Restaurant. (Named after the Gainsborough painting of James Tomkinson which hangs on its wall). IÂ’ve written about this here.
The Hall was full of lovely furnishings that IÂ’d have liked to take home, including a lovely tapestry style sofa and some nice dark carved items. IÂ’d of had the collection of Champagne buckets too!
The horse painting in the Study Bar, for some reason, reminded me of our chicken, Cheryl!
IÂ’m rubbish at eating breakfast, especially cooked, savoury breakfasts. I had my first ever English breakfast last June at Sandie and JamesÂ’ wedding, and immediately had to eat a chunk of sticky sweet Baclava to balance things out! At Willington Hall I developed a tactical approach – I ate a bowl of Coco Pops, and then, with my sweet breakfast out of the way I was able to order Eggs Benedict. It was a huge portion which I couldnÂ’t eat all of, but what I did eat was delicious. AdamÂ’s Haddock and Poached Eggs was a much more manageable size, and tasty too.
We had a lovely stay, a good nights sleep, good food and very friendly service – in a very beautiful and relaxed setting. IÂ’d definitely stay at the Willington Hall Hotel again, I hope I get the chance to… maybe I could move in?
The room rate at Willington Hall Hotel is £175 for the Four Poster Room, including breakfast for two. It’s worth phoning the hotel directly, rather than booking through an agent, as they may have an offer on at the time.