Rushton Hall Hotel, Restaurant, Spa Northamptonshire Review

Enjoy Celebrity Radio’s Rushton Hall Hotel, Restaurant, Spa Northamptonshire Review…

Rushton Hall is a glorious Grade I Listed Four Red Star Hotel and Three Rosette Restaurant and Spa bordering the beautiful counties of Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

Almost equidistant between Leicester, Peterborough & Milton Keynes, located just 30 minutes from the M1 – this is a perfect retreat in the middle of England offering incredible dining, relaxing rooms, glorious views and a divine atmosphere.

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Although refined, Rushton Hall feels homely and relaxed. With a gloriously romantic setting, it is often the venue for weddings with a stately home luxury feel. I would think it impossible to take a bad picture in this location.

Rushton Hall is also used for conferences with an excellent fine dining Restaurant offering silver service taking you back to much better gastronomic times.

As you drive past the elegant gatehouses and wind your way down the serpentine gravel driveway, you will get your first glimpse of the magnificent 16th century facade. It feels important, it looks impressive and will not disappoint once inside.

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Steeped in History, this fabulously picturesque & impressive building has nostalgia & beauty rarely offered anywhere in the UK.

Rushton Hall clearly works incredibly hard to attain high standards and it does not disappoint. I cannot speak highly enough of their willingness to make your experience the most relaxed, enjoyable and uncomplicated that it can be.

In reality you can find ‘hotels’ of this quality in every major City in the UK. What you cannot take for granted is Rushton’s remarkable atmosphere, ambiance and almost royal-esk feel throughout.

Obviously the grounds are superbly kept and a delight to walk around. So much fun and so decadent.

The rooms at Rushton Hall are of a very nice standard with high end touches throughout. The bed linen, towels and bath robes are of exceptional quality.

I was given the James Pain room which was beautifully set out with lovely views overlooking the grounds & tennis courts. The bathroom was a nice size the power shower was a huge relief….a must in a Spa hotel of this quality.

Again, there are lovely added touches of slippers, tea and coffee in-room with fresh milk should you require it.

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You cannot visit Rushton Hall without indulging in a visit to the Restaurant. This formal, elegant and beautifully relaxing eatery offers fine dining service, food and atmosphere.

I was hugely impressed by the short menu of incredibly well chosen ingredients and flavours.

Rushton Hall’s chef, Adrian Coulthard, clearly understands the dining experience. The servers go to great lengths to meet expectations and Chef Coulthard’s food does not disappoint.

He’s clearly mastered the art of colour, flavours and ingredients without becoming pretentious and cluttered.

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You can devour a beautiful 4 course meal for just £55. An indulgence worth every penny in my book.

Everyone knows I judge a great restaurant by it’s bread. Rushton Hall get 10 out of 10! Perfectly presented, fresh, soft, warm – butter with sea-salt on the side – Perfect.

The amuse bouche was a lovely start to the meal (centre above pic). A gorgeous goat cheese and walnut taster with tomato jelly.

This restaurant is romantic, a culinary event and how dining used to be. Elgar in the background sums up and sets the mood of this restaurant perfectly.

For avoidance of doubt if you think a ‘Toby Carvery’ is sophisticated dining I wouldn’t bother coming to Rushton Hall, you’ll feel most out of place. It was so nice to see people dress for dinner – so rare these days.

To begin I chose the refreshing scallops. These were not ruined by complicated sauces that so many chefs love to show off with. Chef rightly allowed this glorious delicacy to speak for itself. Smart move.

This was followed by one of the most suculant and flavoursome foie gras terrines I’ve been served. Masterful and gone in seconds!

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I couldn’t resist the melt-in-your-mouth “28 day” Aberdeenshire rump beef.  This came with “crisp Jacobs ladder”, heritage tomatoes & tarragon mayonnaise. Treated with love and careful cooking – this dish was an absolute treat.

Next came the colourful and appetizing sea trout. This came with broad beans and peas. For me this dish was very slightly al dente but nevertheless a lovely appealing recipe.

The highlight for me though was the beef. Excellent.

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Finally dessert is a must – utterly delicious and totally moreish.

The chocolate bomb was one of the most ‘chocolaty’ I’ve tasted and had so many textures, colours and flavours. One of my favourite desserts in a very long while.

Equally the strawberry dessert was brilliantly refreshing, summery and packed with flavour.

Bravo chef! Great job!

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Breakfast at Rushton Hall is also a dignified event.

With a buffet of cereals and fresh juices, there’s something for everyone.

You are served toast, coffee and a selection of hot dishes including haddock, eggs & kippers at your table.

I opted for the smoked salmon with scrambled eggs followed by a full English breakfast.

Both were cooked perfectly and clearly used very high quality produce.

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Finally don’t miss the Rushton Hall Stableyard Spa.

There’s a lovely spacious pool which is a child free zone 10.30am – 4pm. Perfect!

There also is a well equip gym with cross-trainers, treadmills & free weights. TV’s will distract from the pain.

Treatments are available from 10am through 9pm with full body massages from £60.

There is a Spa Café menu available throughout the day so you will not need to leave.

During the summer there are very comfortable sun lounges outside the Stableyard to relax and enjoy in the sunshine.

Day spa passes are available and it is available for all hotel residents within the room rate.

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Rushton Hall is a glorious property offering nostalgia, comfort, luxury and a bit of class.

So rare and such an oasis in the Northamptonshire countryside.

Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio recorded 15th August 2014