RestaurantsRutlandHambletonLE15

survey result

Summary

£156
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

The “quintessential country house” – Tim & Steffa Hart’s fine property was owned by the Hoare banking family prior to its conversion into a hotel; and long predates the 1970s reservoir over which it nowadays provides “stunning views”. That it’s “pleasantly old-fashioned” (or, if you prefer, rather old-school) is intrinsic to its charm. The “hushed tones in the dining room might not suit everybody”, but can provide “a perfect setting in which to enjoy a significant occasion, with magnificent service and a glorious setting”. Chef Aaron Paterson has overseen the kitchen for over thirty years now: and his classical cuisine remains “superb” (if “very expensive”). And it’s matched with a “varied and well-chosen wine list, backed up by the excellent Dominique Baduel (Sommelier) who is always happy to recommend and advise”. Stay the night and there are “excellent English breakfasts cooked to order”. Top Menu Tip – “highlights this year included marinated scallops with a fennel and cucumber essence; gazpacho with celery granita; and slow-cooked octopus with squid ink pasta, chorizo, lemongrass and ginger”.

Summary

£129
£££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“On a hot day there is the terrace with its glorious views over the water. On a cooler day, it’s time for the comfy seats by the log fire. Whatever the weather, there is always a top quality meal to be had” at this “stunning” country house hotel (back in the day, owned by the Hoare banking family, and which actually pre-dates the surrounding reservoir, created in 1975, by many decades). Its “opulent” lounges and dining room epitomise “old-fashioned elegance” and provide “the quietest and most relaxing environment”. Staff are “professional but very friendly” and “go above and beyond to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience”. Chef Aaron Patterson has been at the stoves for a remarkable three decades and his cuisine “tends towards the traditional but is none the worse for that”. It’s superb quality but not showy food – “his deft touch lets the locally sourced, seasonal, food sing, rather than the chef!”. Owner Tim Hart (whose sons run Quo Vadis, Barrafina, El Pastor, etc in the capital) has amassed a fine wine list and “they have started providing some of their brilliant cellar wines by the glass, a great opportunity to experiment”. For a romantic stay in particular, it’s “truly wonderful and well worth the cost”.

Summary

£119
£££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£110
£££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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”.

For 33 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

Hambleton Hall is one of Britain’s finest country house hotels. The lakeside setting is spectacular and only some two and a half hours north of central London (England). The restaurant is a haven for gourmets and wine lovers and the rooms combine comfort and style.

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Always   £115.00
Lunch £54.00 £68.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £35.00
Filter Coffee £7.50
Extras  
Service 12.50%

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Menu
14, 20
No dress code
64
5
Yes

Hambleton Hall Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Hambleton Hall Restaurant in LE15, Hambleton by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Hambleton Hall restaurant.
Piers T
Lovely in every way (apart from the bill!) ...
Reviewed 11 months, 4 days ago

"Lovely in every way (apart from the bill!) but it's not overpriced for what it is. Formal without being stuffy and whilst the food is perhaps slightly unadventurous nothing is less than superb."

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Hambleton Hall?
Post your own review of Hambleton Hall and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review
Hambleton, LE15 8TH
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Thursday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Friday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Saturday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm
Sunday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8.45 pm

The 2024 Harden's Guide

2024 Hardens London Restaurant Guide

"User friendly in price, size and outlook"

Financial Times