This staycation took us up a long and winding drive past acres of green and lush fields to a beautiful French-style chateau known as Brockencote Hall, one of Worcestershire’s finest hotels.

#TeamCoco’s UK travel writer Rachel McAlley was about to spend the next 24 hours enjoying the luxuries of this gorgeous Victorian building and its grounds.

We arrived far earlier than anticipated at Brockencote Hall, the mid-morning sun was already bright and hot and there was a gentle calming breeze, the sheep in the field were shading under an old oak tree, and the fountain outside the hotel was slowly trickling like a lullaby. Our immediate thoughts were that we in France, however we were in glorious England in the spectacular summer of 2018.

Upon walking through the doors we were met with a grand entrance and foyer filled with comfy sofas and chairs, an open fire (which wasn’t lit due to the immense heatwave outside), and a dainty reception desk under the wide sweeping staircase.

Even though we arrived earlier than planned, the reception team were happy to take our luggage and start to get our room ready. We were shown through to the library by Jack, where the tables were being set for afternoon tea, then onto the conservatory and bar, straight through to an outside courtyard complete with tables, chairs and brollies, another pretty fountain, and endless green fields.

We had a drink in the courtyard alongside a number of other guests who were also enjoying the glorious day. It soon got hot in the midday sun, so we ventured into the library to finish our drinks before being told that our room was ready.

We were escorted to Wellingtonia, undoubtedly a wow factor room, with floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the courtyard and fields, comfy sofa, luxury bedding, tables, chairs, large fireplace, wardrobe with little fridge, complimentary homemade biscuits and drinks, and the bathroom was vast with walk-through shower to reach the large bath. This suite was divine.
After an hour or so relaxing and unpacking we returned to the library for lunch, had a lovely chat with the reception and front of house team, and then went back to the room to utilise the free wifi and complete some unfinished work.

Dinner was booked in the Chaddesley Restaurant, where we were seated next to the open French doors looking out to the fountain. There were guests enjoying the last of the evening sun in the courtyard, and the restaurant soon filled with other diners. The menu arrived, and what an exciting menu it was!

We enjoyed starters of; lobster raviolo with tomato consommé, and watercress veloute served with toasted almonds. Mains were lamb served three ways; roasted, braised, and croquette with courgette and aubergine, and confit of duck with charred sweetcorn, hessleback potatoes and pak choi. Desserts included white chocolate and vanilla dome with English strawberries, and basil, and we also opted for the selection of English and French cheese.

Where do we start on describing how outstanding this menu was? Well, the tomato consommé was perfectly clear, perfectly flavoursome and simply outstanding, it was almost certainly the best consommé I’ve ever had. The mains were equally robust, but the confit of duck was definitely the outright winner, it melted-in-the-mouth, and was met with punchy rich flavours of the jus. The strawberry dessert which was served on a crunchy basil enhanced biscuit with plenty of fresh strawberries was surrounded by a white chocolate dome and it was outstanding.

We retreated to our room for the night, before returning to the restaurant for breakfast. Another fantastic menu to choose from, this time we chose fruit and juices followed by a full English, and the continental of locally baked ham served with cheeses. The lovely Danuta looked after us for breakfast, and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better.

After breakfast I went for a look around the hotel with the General Manager Craig, who introduced me to the newest side of Brockencote Hall, with the recent addition of a number of stunning new guest rooms and suites.

Sadly it was time to checkout and depart this astonishingly beautiful hotel. The staff, the rooms, the hospitality and of course the food were all second-to-none. Huge thanks to all who made our trip such a perfect experience.

Rachel McAlley for House of Coco was hosted by Brockencote Hall Hotel in Worcestershire, part of the Eden Hotel Collection, a privately owned portfolio of nine beautiful properties in the UK. The striking Victorian manor house has a lakeside setting, 21 elegantly appointed bedrooms and is surrounded by 70 acres of parkland. Stay overnight from £135 per room (two sharing), including full English breakfast. Dinner varies menu by menu in price, Rachel opted for the seasonal menu, which was priced at £59.95 per person. Call Brockencote Hall Hotel on 01562 777 876.

Author

A veteran in global travel, Rachel also loves to explore hidden gems on home turf. She’s a writing connoisseur of Britain’s best hotels, luxury beauty products, and UK food and drink launches.

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