Nadine Brown becomes lady of the manor at a country estate that offers Michelin-starred food, foodie workshops and sumptuous rooms with heart-warming attention to detail. 

Where is it?

An easy walk from the train station, the manor is located in the pretty village of Hampton-in-Arden, and is just a 30-minute drive from Birmingham.

What’s the accommodation like?

Lavish but with modern touches, it feels historic but with boutique charm. This is most evident in the rooms in the main house, which are William Morris-inspired in design but include coffee machines and Bluetooth audio systems. The walled garden suites are more rustic with oak furnishings and earth tones. 

What did you eat and drink?

While the overall hospitality is outstanding, what Hampton Manor is really revered for is the food. From the freshly baked cookies in the bedrooms to the award-winning restaurants, there’s even a slice of cake waiting for you on arrival from their on-site bakery. Dinner at the Michelin-starred Grace & Savour is set within the Victorian walled garden. When it comes to the menu, partridge with grilled pear and pickled elderberries is a standout, and I’m instantly in awe of the pink spiralled beetroot tart, which tastes as delightful as it looks. Each course comes with a wine pairing – so I’m thankful for the on-site mini bus, ‘Bertha’, to get me back to my room. In addition, Kynd is the new produce-led restaurant, set in the estate’s Victorian greenhouses, offering an almost fairytale setting.

What is there to do?

I got to enjoy a cinnamon roll workshop, which rewarded me with laminated buns, ready to bake at home. There are also bread and butter workshops, relaxed wine tastings and ‘sweet sounds’, where between 3-4pm you can enjoy an hour of curated vinyl with a glass of something bubbly. 

What do I need to pack? 

Stretchy pants! The food is the star here so make room for all the bites on offer.

Lasting memory

The Afrocenchix shampoo and conditioner spotted in the bathroom. It was the first time in over 40 years of staying in hotels that products directly tailored to my hair type were on offer – a personal touch that made me feel instantly valued as a guest.

Sainsbury’s magazine insider tip

Book the Taste of the Estate, which allows you to try signature dishes from the restaurants, bakery and manor house menus, in your own private room with a view into the working kitchen.