Hambleton Hall

Tim and his wife Stefa opened Hambleton Hall in 1980. Four years earlier, the advent of Rutland Water had transformed the landscape into one of the most serene in the Midlands. The late Victorian house takes in the scene - south facing terrace, flower-filled formal garden, field and trees, water - with views that catch the breath. There¹s a swimming pool, a tennis court and a very fine, Michelin starred, chef, Aaron Paterson in the kitchen. There's no mini-bar, pillow menu and certainly no spa, which puts Hambleton Hall at the forefront of that dying breed of quintessential, personally run, unmucked-about luxury country house hotels. The rooms, while not particularly spacious are pretty and refreshingly ungimmicky - Stefa, the designer, was instructed by Tim to create a contemporary feel but on no account to "do a Babington". A stroll round Rutland water, watching the fishermen bobbing about in their boats should not go amiss. An oasis of comfort.