There’s a LITTLE SLICE of heaven on the Warwickshire West Midlands border that it seems I have long overlooked.
So, it was with the promise of a BIG SLICE of cake – or two(!) – that led me to rediscover the decadence that is Nailcote Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club.
Hailed as one of Great Britain and Ireland’s most romantic hotels, Nailcote Hall is a treat in every sense.
Local foodies gravitate towards The Oak Room restaurant which offers relaxed fine dining for every possible occasion. But why wait for an occasion when there’s a variety of Afternoon Tea options available every day, including Bottomless Bubbles. Definitely one for the non-driver, but what I lacked in bubbles during my visit, I more than made up for in sweet treats. Now, this is how you should spend a Sunday afternoon!
After a friendly greeting in the hotel reception, we were seated in the bar area and presented with our welcome prosecco before ordering our teas and coffees. Then it was time to be seated in the Oak Room where my discipline in starving myself all day was about to be royally rewarded (I’d even watched with rumbling belly as the rest of the family tucked into their Sunday lunch so as to fully appreciate my tea later!)
The mouth watering three-tier display of sweet and savoury deliciousness included a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam and an array of scrumptious homemade cakes – including the most delicious melt-in-the-middle macaroons I’ve ever tasted. All the perfect accompaniment to the grand backdrop of this beautiful venue.
Dating from the 17th century, The Victoria County History of Warwickshire describes this Grade II-listed Jacobean house as ‘one of the smallest stately homes in the country.’
Much of its original charm is still evident today, not least its imposing timber-frame exterior, high Elizabethan-style chimney and rear Georgian extension. Pre-war owners of the building even found wattle and daub in some interior ground floor walls as well as evidence of a hidden room (priest hole) on the ground floor in what now forms part of The Oak Room.
Indeed this retreat is steeped in history, even playing host to Cromwell’s troops at the time of the destruction of Kenilworth Castle at the end of the English Civil War!
Privately owned for 300 years by the Lant family, the hotel has been under the ownership of Rick Cressman since 1989, since when further bedrooms were gradually added over the years, bringing the total to 49. A library and Pavilion Suite – a standalone wedding venue and one of five available function suites now at the hotel – have also been built.
Today Nailcote is sought after for its four-star accommodation, fine dining, wedding and entertainment function rooms and leisure facilities, as well as its award-winning Championship nine-hole golf course, home to the Farm Foods British Par 3 Championship.
The hotel itself also boasts a lively year-round events calendar, including fundraising Balls to support local charities.
Whether it be for afternoon tea, Sunday lunch with the family or a romantic dinner for two, I can appreciate why Nailcote Hall is so popular with foodies of all tastes. And I’m not going to wait so long again for an excuse to return, especially with Christmas around the corner.
There are three price points, from £25pp for Afternoon Tea, £31.50pp for Afternoon Tea with a glass of Prosecco and £40pp for Bottomless Bubbles Afternoon Tea – but before you plan on settling in for the afternoon, your top-up time is limited to 90 minutes! Trust me, it’s for your own sake!
Look out for their Festive Afternoon Tea available from November 26th. Find out more here
Nailcote’s lively events calendar can be found here
