Tag Archives: countryside

The Wild Rabbit restaurant, Oxfordshire

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The Cotswolds is an idyllic escape for Londoners in search of fresh air and lush countryside. This upmarket area near Oxford is one of the most popular short break UK destinations for busy city residents and has numerous quaint accommodation options and food establishments to experience. The Wild Rabbit is one of the most desirable places to stay and dine in the Cotswolds, a luxuriously rustic and characterful neighbourhood pub / restaurant with charming bedrooms, all tucked away in the tranquil village of Kingham.

The Wild Rabbit opened in September 2013 after the 1750 building underwent extensive restoration and renovation. The traditional pub has a cosy and welcoming feel, with delightful rabbit related memorabilia and taxidermy decorating the ground floor dining rooms. The nearby twelve bedrooms are individually furnished and designed with the utmost attention to detail, with simple indulgences adding extra comfort.

After an easy drive from London, we settled at a window table for Saturday lunch in the Wild Rabbit dining room, a stylish farmhouse room with modest wooden furniture, exposed brickwork and potted herb plants at each table. Freshly made bread, thinly shaved salami and churned butter arrived to cater to our growing appetites. A raspberry and white peach Bellini was a delightful aperitif.

The menu takes advantage of local produce and is a carefully curated list of British inspired recipes which changes with the seasons. To start I highly recommend the crisp Pig’s head croquette with artichoke and basil vinaigrette, this dense rectangle of tender meat is covered in a salty, crispy layer and served with a fresh colourful salad. Open ravioli of goat’s cheese and confit tomato with grilled vegetable sauce antiboise is a lovely summery vegetarian option, both filling and healthy.

The main course showcases the best British meat on offer, bold brilliant flavours with the highest quality components. My pork tenderloin with toffee apple puree, confit belly, mustard and onions was an exquisite combination of sweet caramel and rich meaty flavours, arranged immaculately on the plate with an addictive pork gravy. Guests can also choose from the Josper Grill steaks, all served with hand-cut chips and salad. Dry aged 12oz sirloin steak on the bone was an impressive hunk of meat, with a lightly charred edge, tender and juicy inside. Paired with the wonderfully thick and yellow Bearnaise sauce and giant chunky chips it was an utterly indulgent treat, of which every mouthful was savoured. If you can fit it in, the buttery mashed potato is unmissable.

The wine list features environmentally friendly wine from small wineries. I tried a delicious rose with my meal. The dessert list featured all my favourite sweet things. The Pistachio soufflé with cherry ice-cream and almond crème Anglaise was beautiful, a bouncy pale green masterpiece collapsing as the hot creamy sauce was poured over it. The soufflé, a notoriously challenging dessert to make was the perfect consistency and tasted absolutely divine. For something richer, chocolate lovers will enjoy the rich mousse with salted caramel ice cream.

The Wild Rabbit is the best kept secret in the Cotswolds, but good news travels fast, so now you’ll have to be patient with the rest of the waiting list for a chance to experience these enchanting rooms and fine food. I can assure you it is worth waiting for.

More information and book here: www.thewildrabbit.co.uk

Yearlstone Vineyard, Devon

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I am used to wandering round glorious sun-drenched vineyards in France but I didn’t know what to expect when I was told we were visiting a vineyard in Devon. We turned off the main road onto a steep lane and reached a cabin-like building surrounded by lush greenery, blissfully isolated and tranquil.

Yearlstone Vineyard was started in 1976 by pioneering English viticulturist Gillian Pearkes. Gillian planted a variety of vines, collected on her worldwide travels and experimented with vine growing techniques for the English climate. In 1993, Roger and Juliet White bought the vineyard and began building on the site. Using traditional materials they built a house, a shop and office, the equipment and indoor space to make the wine completely onsite and most recently a café and outdoor terrace.

Sitting on the shaded terrace overlooking the endless vines, I couldn’t imagine a more idyllic setting in the British countryside. I felt ignorant for assuming UK’s vineyards were inferior to those in France and elsewhere. As it turns out: “Yearlstone vineyard is located on a steep southerly slope on a hillside above the river Exe at the picturesque village of Bickleigh… 200 feet above sea level and has natural protection from the west, north and east. The soil is a silty clay loam over fragmented Devon red sandstone with excellent drainage and is perfect for vines – red soils are the most sought after for vineyards all around the world. In all, Yearlstone’s position is perfect for growing vines and ripening grapes.”

The Deli Shack cafe at Yearlstone offers wholesome and delicious sharing platters and meals, perfect for enjoying alongside a glass of their wine; we tasted a variety: a soft and floral dry white, a light fruity red and a delicate dry rose which we opted for. To eat, we shared a huge platter of artisan meat and cheese, olives, pickled onions and crusty bread. For main course we tried most of the menu: salad with goat’s cheese, creamy smoked salmon linguine, Spanish style chicken with tomato, peppers and beans, and Taleggio and asparagus tart. The dishes were simple and healthy with a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients.

As well as the vineyard, there is a mature orchard at Yearlstone with many apple trees, from which cider is made. If you are visiting Devon, Yearlstone Vineyard definitely deserves a place on your itinerary. Sitting amongst the beautiful vineyards sipping Yearlstone’s wonderful wine made me feel proud to be British.

More information here: www.yearlstone.co.uk

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with First Great Western trains.

Advance single fares from London Paddington to Tiverton Parkway are available from £12.50 each way. For the best value tickets and fares buy before you board at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or 08457 000125.

Four Seasons Hotel and Spa, Hampshire

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I spent less than 24 hours at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire, but my mini-break here felt like a week long holiday. This restored Georgian manor house an hour outside London is easily the most homely of the Four Seasons I have stayed at, blissfully blending English country living with 21st century modernity.

Driving up the bumpy driveway, the epic building looked like a palace ahead of us… impressive in size but utterly charming in character. Comprising of several different wings, it can be difficult to navigate your way around, although the obliging staff are more than happy to assist, escorting you back to your room, or elsewhere on site. There is an abundance of fun, exciting and indulgent things to do at Four Seasons Hampshire, suitable for all the family. There are a few activities I would particularly recommend:

1.Going for a bike ride round the countryside. Bikes, maps and water bottles are available free of charge from the hotel. The knowledgeable staff will advise you on a route and send you merrily on your way. Despite the freezing wind we loved our ride, spotting lots of amicable animals on our journey and travelling down past a very pretty river. It was idyllic and very invigorating to get some fresh air in my lungs! There are several little pubs to discover but sadly on a Tuesday the local was shut.

2. Returning back after your exercise fresh faced and ravenous, the special afternoon tea is the ideal sustenance. A delicious cake stand of classic English filled sandwiches, warm home baked scones and divine miniature cakes and pastries… a treat for all the senses.

3. If you’d like company the hotel dog is available for walks, just ask at reception. Welcoming one and all, dogs are even allowed to stay at Four Seasons Hampshire, a fact that astounded me. The staff deep clean the carpets after each furry guest ensuring the room is in tip top condition before the next visitors arrive.

We were staying in the amazingly spacious Park Suite. It was magnificent, fit for a queen, with luxurious fabrics, numerous amenities and heavenly views of the expansive grounds. Decorated in muted beige and cream, it had an instantly calming effect; we sat in our grand living room sipping the chilled champagne and munching on chocolate coated strawberries, both left kindly in our room for us.

Down duvets and pillows top the beds, a Nespresso machine for caffeine kicks and silky soft slippers and towelling robes for wrapping up in. You won’t want to leave the room – we delayed our departure to spend more time lazing around, watching the big flatscreen tv and flicking through magazines. The rooms at Four Seasons Hampshire are blessed with glorious light, making the private accommodation the ideal place to work, sit or just relax all day. If you feel like venturing out there are plenty of lovely communal areas like the splendid library to explore.

Our suite had one full marble bathroom and one guest powder room. The main bathroom was spectacular, glistening and shining with a huge bath and rain-shower, a separate toilet and two massive his and her sinks. Sparkling mirrors and super soft towels are also on offer.

The spa alone is reason to visit… a huge luxurious fitness and beauty centre with every facility imaginable. Lavish but lovely with thoughtful touches evident everywhere. I was lucky enough to experience the popular Pure Radiance Facial, the perfect pick-me-up to refresh and add a glow to tired winter worn skin. This hour long treatment is soothing and sensual for the face, using the gorgeous ESPA products, it revitalised me for the week ahead. After my treatment I went for a long swim in the indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool before enjoying the sauna and steam rooms. The spa is kitted out with every essential and luxury you could ever need… and I understood quickly how so many can spend the whole day here.

There are various dining options available… the prestigious and smart ‘Seasons’ restaurant, the more relaxed Bistro and Cafe Sante the health conscious lunch choice at the Spa. We tried the Bistro for supper, which was good enough to deserve a separate review! Breakfast the next morning was also served in this large room. We enjoyed an exquisite array of continental treats, tiny pastries and fresh juices, warming roasted coffee, french toast and waffles. We felt completely spoilt by the staff who managed to provide us with everything despite the inconvenient power cut! Needless to say it was all delicious, particularly the homemade options.

After a full and fabulous day of relaxing and refreshing, eating and exercising, it was time to leave Hampshire and our favourite new hotel. Just a short distance from London, but feeling far far away from busy city life, Four Seasons Hampshire is the perfect place for a short getaway.

More information and book here.

www.fourseasons.com/hampshire