It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you can be surrounded by the British countryside and away from the hustle and bustle of London. Within a 40 minute drive from StratfordI found myself nestled in the picturesque Essex countryside at Down Hall Country House Hotel and Spa. It offers a quintessentially British retreat that delivers charm, comfort, and relaxation in equal measure. My one-night stay, complete with dinner and spa access, was nothing short of delightful and made my one year anniversary all the more special.
The hotel
From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the grandeur of the historic building and its surrounding grounds. The long driveway, flanked by manicured gardens and ancient trees, set the tone for an elegant escape. The building itself is full of character – a proper historic country house with charm at every corner. Inside, the décor manages to balance traditional elegance with modern touches, so it feels cosy yet stylish.
Our room was tastefully decorated, blending traditional charm with modern touches. It was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light during the day. The décor blended classic country house charm with modern touches – think soft, neutral tones with pops of colour in the cushions and curtains. It felt like we were transported back in time to an entirely different era, in the best way possible.
The view from our window was the icing on the cake – overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens, it was the perfect scene to wake up to.
The spa
The Eden Spa was exactly what we needed – peaceful, relaxing, and well-organised. It’s not the biggest spa, but it’s beautifully done, with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and a few cosy seating areas to unwind. We both treated ourselves to treatments with a full-body massage. The therapists were absolutely brilliant, making sure we were comfortable and tailoring the treatments to our preferences, sending us straight to slumber.
It’s worth noting that the spa can get busy, so I’d definitely recommend booking treatments and spa times in advance to make sure you get the slots you want.
The restaurant and the highlight of the stay
Even if you don’t get a chance to stay at the hotel, I highly recommend having a meal at their restaurant – The Garden Room. While there was plenty to wow me before we even got to dinner – the food was nothing short of spectacular. What makes the dining experience here unique is their focus on farm-to-fork dining. Much of the produce used in the dishes is sourced directly from the hotel’s own vegetable garden or local farms, which adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness and freshness to every bite.
To start with, we ordered the Orkney scallops which came with Jerusalem artichoke, white truffle oil, artichoke crisps and the Kiln roasted salmon which came with blinis, horseradish, pickled shallot, caperberries. While both tasted incredibly fresh, the scallops were definitely our favourite – we lapped up every bit of the sauce, so good.
For mains, my partner and I opted for the Chateaubriand for two which came with triple cooked chips, Portobello mushroom, slow roasted plum tomatoes, watercress and a choice of bearnaise and peppercorn sauce. This was straight from the ‘Josper’ – a charcoal grill and barbecue in one which adds the amazing oaky smokiness the meat, making it absolutely fragrant with flavour and juicy. I’d like to mention that I’m not usually a steak person – but this made me want to become a steak person. Make what you will with that statement.
And for pudding, we shared the chocolate fondant with blackberry sorbet, pickled blackberries – the perfect level of indulgent that left us full and cozy.
You can imagine that with the dinner experience we had, breakfast was something we were looking forward to even more. And to be honest, it did not disappoint.
Breakfast the next morning carried on the farm-to-fork themewith a wonderful spread of locally sourced ingredients. So your usual suspects – sausages, eggs, bacon, beans. All the elements that made a nice full English. While it may sound simple, the eggs and sausages was particularly noteworthy – you could taste the difference that comes from using fresh, high-quality produce. My partner and I concluded that it may have been the best full English we’ve had in a long time!
To conclude, Down Hall Country House Hotel and Spa is a gem for those who appreciate good food and a relaxing getaway. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a pampering retreat, or simply a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this hotel has it all and without all the fuss. With every aspect felt thoughtfully designed to ensure guests leave feeling relaxed, fed and pampered – it’s the perfect escape just 40 minutes away from London. It most certainly deserves the accolade of England’s hotel of the year – it sure felt like it.
Find more information and book your stay here.
