Harden's survey result
Summary
“A stunningly beautiful position overlooking Rutland Water” helps set an appropriately stately tone at Tim Hart’s “lovely” mansion (previously owned by the Hoare banking family, and actually built before the surrounding lake was created in 1975). In its rather traditional-looking dining room, “the consistency of Aaron Patterson's cooking has proved extraordinary over three decades. Ingredients from the kitchen garden and the area are superb – beautifully presented but without fuss”. And “sommelier Dominique Baduel’s wines complement the food to perfection”. Despite its un-flashy style, it’s one of our annual diners’ poll’s most commented-on and highly rated destinations. (And hospitality clearly runs in the blood, as Tim’s children run a string of high-profile London hits, including Barrafina, Quo Vadis and El Pastor).
Summary
“A perfect country retreat!”. The crunch of gravel on the drive and “beautiful views” set the scene at Tim Hart’s “beautiful” hotel (a fine mansion once owned by the Hoare banking family, and constructed long before Rutland Water which it nowadays overlooks). It offers a “pampering” experience “which makes no compromises to quality” in a very traditional style that’s occasionally thought to be “stiff” but more commonly elicits nothing but rave reviews. Aaron Patterson has overseen the kitchen here since 1992, and his “exceptional classic cuisine” is “beautifully presented with amazing flavours”. It’s not an inexpensive experience, but no-one considers it overpriced: “we rarely feel we can afford it, but it’s always turned out to be a pleasure!” – “a self-indulgent treat that makes one feel good days or even weeks later”.
Summary
“A perfect country retreat!”. The crunch of gravel on the drive and “beautiful views” set the scene at Tim Hart’s “beautiful” hotel (a fine mansion once owned by the Hoare banking family, and constructed long before Rutland Water which it nowadays overlooks). It offers a “pampering” experience “which makes no compromises to quality” in a very traditional style that’s occasionally thought to be “stiff” but more commonly elicits nothing but rave reviews. Aaron Patterson has overseen the kitchen here since 1992, and his “exceptional classic cuisine” is “beautifully presented with amazing flavours”. It’s not an inexpensive experience, but no-one considers it overpriced: “we rarely feel we can afford it, but it’s always turned out to be a pleasure!” – “a self-indulgent treat that makes one feel good days or even weeks later”.
Summary
“The effortless and gracious hospitality of a country house hotel is maintained down to a tee” at Tim Hart’s “magnificent” property (owned until the 1970s by part of the Hoare banking dynasty), with its “open fires, antique furnishings, and busy wallpaper”; “staff who can’t do enough to help”; and “unbeatable views over Rutland Water” (which the house, in fact, pre-dates). “All of which is pointless if the food isn’t great… and luckily it’s brilliant”. The odd critic feels Aaron Patterson’s cuisine is “fairly conventional (good quality but lacking a sense of adventure)” but if you’re looking for brined, pickled and foraged small plates you’re missing the point here, as his “very accessible” classical cuisine delivers a “consistency and reliability” that’s second to none with “wonderful attention to detail”. “You do pay for it”, but real complaints about value here are notable by their absence.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Hambleton Hall?
Owner's description
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £95.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £95.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
Hambleton Hall Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Celebrated 60th birthday. Hambleton Hall has delightful gardens with views across Rutland water, the perfect place to sit and anticipate the meal ahead whilst enjoying a cocktail. We started with exquisitely presented pan fried scallops in verjus. For the mains, we enjoyed a perfectly cooked seabass with a delicate cucumber and oyster leaf sauce. We were spoiled for choice with the seasonal desserts, but I was so happy that I picked the poached apricots with the tastiest apricot sorbet. I couldn't fault anything, the waiting staff were attentive and knowledgable, small amuse bouches were offered between courses, along with a selection of sourdough breads from the local Hambleton Bakery. Thank you for a memorable afternoon. "
Hambleton, LE15 8TH
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm |
