Category: Review

Nestled in the heart of Warwickshire’s countryside, the Stuart Restaurant at Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa offers a refined dining experience that blends Elizabethan charm with modern culinary flair.

Housed within a 16th-century manor steeped in Shakespearean history, the restaurant is a destination in itself—elegant, atmospheric, and quietly theatrical.

Part of the Marriott Hotels family as part of their Tribute Portfolio, the restored country hotel is popular for its beautiful grounds, sumptuous accommodation and world class health club and spa.

The hotel draws inspiration from the romantic English landscape, historic origins and the notable voices past and present that have retreated here, none less so than Shakespeare himself. The Bard is said to have penned his comedy As You Like It in the hotel’s library. Indeed, many nods to the playwright can be found around the hotel from a ceiling of floating books and hand-crafted feather pieces to more traditional artwork, allowing guests to become immersed in the rich tapestry of Billesley’s past.

Listed in the 1086 Domesday book commissioned by William the Conqueror, the Billesley Estate has an expansive history dating back to 705 AD. The Bard allegedly married Anne Hathaway in the All Saints church next to the hotel, and his granddaughter followed suit by getting betrothed in the same church.

But our recent visit was more about sampling Billesley’s present-day culinary credentials where, thankfully, guests can indulge in everything from all manner of gastronomic delights from a la carte dining to Sunday lunch and afternoon teas.

Taking our seats for dinner we were immediately struck by the grandeur of this splendid floor to ceiling oak-panelled room, the Elizabethan charm setting the scene – inside and out – with the stunning views the restaurant affords you. From our window seat we were able to glimpse some of 11 acres of grounds, which are complete with an 11^th century church and listed ornate Victorian-era topiary garden inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

In a fun nod to Warwickshire’s famous playwright, the menu is presented as Act 1, Act 2 and Curtain Call. Starters like Confit Duck Crumpet (with poached plum and orange gel); Sun Blush Tomato Arancini (with black garlic emulsion and Basil crème fraiche) and Shakesphere Gin Cured Salmon (with compressed cucumber, dill crème fraiche and lemon gel) offer originality but it was the Pan Fried Scallops (with sweetcorn puree, black pudding crumb and apple gel) and the Soup Du Jour which won us over and, I’m pleased to say, were a delight with both their presentation and depth of flavour. (No style over substance here.)

Act 2 more than lives up to Act 1 with dishes including: Green Pea & Edamame Risotto (with parmesan crisp, pea puree and pea shoot salad); Billesley’s own take on Tikka Masala- with chicken or chickpea options or Market Fish of the Day, among the options. But our choices of Beef Fillet (served with pave potato, carrot puree, mushroom ketchup, cavolo nero, shallot and jus) and Duck Breast (with creamed polenta, beetroot puree, charred leek, tender stem broccoli, cherry gel and jus) were the lead players to our minds. Absolutely exquisite.

There is a ‘small but perfectly formed’ selection of desserts to tempt diners – and the Biscoff Cheesecake (with Biscoff crumb and toffee sauce) and Strawberry Tart (with Balsamic macerated strawberries, crème anglaise and mango sorbet) made for a fitting final act for my dining companion and I.

Other – very – tempting options though include Pineapple Rum Baba (rum-soaked cake, clotted cream and grilled pineapple); Mocha Mousse (coffee mousse, chocolate, amaretti and Italian meringue) and Vegan Chocolate & Banana Brownie (with chocolate sauce and vegan vanilla ice cream). Something to tempt every palate, including lighter bites for those on the full side.

Prices are no more than one would expect for fine dining of this standard, but probably most often reserved for special occasions and celebrations.

There is an extensive wine menu from which to toast said celebrations, with a deliberate focus on small production sustainable vineyards. Indeed, it’s clear the restaurant emphasises locally sourced and sustainable produce where possible.

Staff are attentive without being intrusive, striking a balance between professionalism and warmth and service is paced to allow guests to savour each course while enjoying the surroundings.

The Stuart Restaurant is more than a hotel dining room—it’s a culinary experience that respects its heritage while embracing innovation. From the poetic menu structure to the locally inspired dishes, it’s a place where storytelling and flavour meet. Whether you’re a guest at the manor or a local seeking a special night out, it’s well worth the visit.

Here’s to the encore. . .