Nent Hall Country House

This hotel is probably not for those looking for the bland sterility of a chain and the attendant predictability that generally entails. This hotel is quirky, with an interesting history and some of the best staff I've ever encountered, anywhere. We arrived on a cold autumnal evening after spending the day exploring the surrounding countryside and visitor attractions, of which there are many, to find that the gas supply had run out - entirely the supplier's fault, not the hotel's I might add! The staff were eager to assure us that it wouldn't be allowed to detract for our stay and were very much right about that ! A roaring log fire soon had the bar area - which opened early - very cosy and a good range of local beers kept us occupied until dinner was ready. Despite having limited cooking facilities available, the range of food still on offer for dinner was excellent, clearly lovingly cooked with excellent ingredients, a theme to be repeated the following morning at breakfast. Definitely two of the best hotel meals I've encountered for quite a long while, and extremely reasonably priced too. The room was very nicely furnished with an assortment of period chairs, sofas and cabinets, a walk in wardrobe, a separate bathroom, and a warm and comfortable lounge, not to mention an elegant free standing bath - for which there was no shortage of hot water ! The icing on an excellent cake was the price: very similar indeed to a nearby chain hotel that had none of its charm, friendly staff or wonderful food.