It's time to move on, we have had three lovely days in the Cotswolds, culminating with dinner at the wonderful new (to us) find of Slaghter's Manor House, I can imagine that there will be repeat visits in the future!
The parting view from our rooms, of one of the families also staying at the Swan Hotel, feeding a swan and his/her signets is a delightful image to take away from Bibury.
We are heading north to the tiny county of Rutland, to one of our all-time-favourite hotels, and one that figures repeatedly in FaceBook post. Hambleton Hall is sat high on the peninsula formed around Upper Hambleton (now just Hambleton) after the reservoir was created in 1975 by flooding a vale. It's bit like the scenario at Ladybower reservoir near Sheffield, except they have learned some lessons from that flooding and ensured that the doomed villages were completely demolished first to prevent the buildings being seen during low water conditions, as happens to Derwent village when Ladybower is low.
However we have a detour to the first, as Hubby's eye checkup is due this week, so we schedule a visit to the clinic that best suits our plans, in Northampton. A smooth journey gets us there perfectly on time, his checkup is fine, and subsequently on to Hambleton arriving exactly at 13h00 as required by the strict checking in notes we've been given.
Whilst our bags are dealt with we sit on the terrace with a glass of Chardonnay enjoying the sunshine until we go and unpack and then take a turn around the peninsular which is just over five miles. Tomorrow we do the outer route which is somewhat longer.
On our return it must be time to take tea, as we've not really had a suitable opportunity (excuse) up to now. Back on the terrace we enjoy lemon drizzle and biscuits with the papers and crossword before changing and heading down to the pool. I swerve the water as it's just too cold for me but Hubby braves the tepid waters manfully!!
The sun is strong and we are really relaxing now, we feel completely at home here! By five it's time to find more sustenance so we return the the terrace and another Chardonnay whist I'm writing and Hubby is reading.
Eventually people are arriving in suits and cocktail dresses. so we feel it’s appropriate to retire, shower get dressed too in anticipation of the evening.
Hambleton has a reputation right up there with the best. It regularly features in the top restaurants of Britain listings and there’s a good reason for this - it is stunningly good. Although in the capital there are plenty of incredible choices, and outside one or two pretty good ones as well, few can surpass the exceptional quality that Hambleton has to offer, and certainly we can concur with the opinions of the press and other critics on this. Reliability is also a factor - now over forty years of expertise in delivering this level of quality.
We return to the terrace for champagne and the first amuse, cod skin with cheese & lemon. and Parmesan beignets, before we head in to the dining room for more. Next as pre-starter, it’s a taste of Sorrell’s purée with a herby foam complimented by crispy rice.
Now it’s starters, foie gras with foie gras cream, cherries & muesli and ell tartlet for me, both wonderful. Individually matched wines are inspired, each a perfect pairing. There were on quail, a whole one tonight as it’s a main, with ravioli and lamb-loin, belly confit and sweetbreads again with matched wines. With no pre-desert during lockdown (we somehow cope) it’s straight on to peach & raspberry terrine and “the gooseberry” a gloriously sweet yet tart confection in a gooseberry sugar globe. Matched wines once again pair beautifully with each dish.
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