Rushton Hall ★★★★

First impressions may not count for everything, but Rushton Hall immediately sweeps us off our feet as we approach, a dreamy country manor surrounded by some beautiful grounds and countryside. An elegant gatehouse guards the entrance to the long, sweeping driveway, which carves its way through the trees before revealing the grand façade of the 16th century building, glowing golden in the sunlight. Straight away we sense we have made the perfect choice for our romantic weekend away, before even setting foot inside!

It is a quintessential English countryside scene which seems straight out of a period drama; we start imagining the Downton Abbey lifestyle, although the world of Charles Dickens might be a little closer to the mark. Among the highlights of Rushton Hall’s 500 year history, it was frequented by Dickens during the 19th century and served as the inspiration for Haversham Hall in his novel ‘Great Expectations’.

The majestic appearance of the hotel’s exterior certainly gives us our own great expectations, and from our first step over the threshold to the moment we reluctantly check out, these are consistently and emphatically met! The same elegance and old-world grandeur of the building’s façade also characterise the interior – think wood panelling, glittering chandeliers, plush carpets, silky fabrics and antique furnishings. In our spacious bedroom, this gorgeous décor meets with some excellent facilities, a lovely en suite bathroom and a cosy king size bed. What’s more, with the picturesque grounds on all sides and a pretty courtyard with a pristine lawn at the centre of Rushton Hall.

It is late afternoon, so we while away the time before dinner by taking a stroll through the gardens and exploring the enormous hotel itself. Our walk through the grounds leads us past the serene lake, a tennis court, a croquet lawn and some immaculately manicured gardens. Back inside, we cannot resist taking a brief pause at the Stableyard Spa, which provides a tranquil and luxurious spot for guests to relax and unwind. There are some outstanding facilities, including a swimming pool, an outdoor and an indoor spa, a sauna, a steam room and a fitness suite, as well as a whole range of massages and beauty treatments.

Before we know it, it is time for the main event of any day at Rushton Hall – the food! The restaurant offers fine dining at almost any time of the day, with large breakfasts, light lunches and traditional afternoon teas all on the menu before you even get to dinner. We take a seat in the restaurant, which oozes sophistication and refinement, and order our dishes from the enticing seasonal menu. It takes just one bite of our delectable amuse bouche to realise why this is the only restaurant in Northamptonshire to hold the honour of three AA rosettes, and by the time we take the last mouthful of our desserts we feel like we are in heaven. High quality local produce is used to produce creative and beautifully presented dishes, which all explode with delicious flavours.

It is with a heavy heart that we eventually leave our stunning country manor behind after a simply perfect stay. Exquisite food, an enchanting setting and a spot of rural tranquillity – Rushton Hall has everything you need for a relaxing and luxurious countryside retreat!