Steeped in history and nestled in acres of lush green parkland and pretty formal gardens, Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa is the perfect bolthole to escape to for a romantic weekend away or a fun-filled family getaway.
Hotel
Enjoy a slice of luxury in Northamptonshire at this four-star country house hotel – part of the exclusive Hand Picked Hotels collection – which boasts 60 bedrooms, a fine dining restaurant and a state-of-the-art spa. Fawsley Hall is a great option for families, with lots of family-friendly offers and fun activities to keep everyone busy, and there are also dog-friendly rooms available. The beautiful hotel provides a luxurious escape from life with wonderful service, amazing food, and great hospitality.
Room
Fawsley Hall offers guests a wide range of accommodation, from cosy classic bedrooms to luxurious feature suites, all offering grandeur, comfort and period features.
We were staying in one of the beautiful feature bedrooms, in the oldest wing of the hotel, which dates back to Tudor times. The Jane Spencer suite was a pretty, romantic room offering sweeping views across the gardens, lakes and to St Mary’s Church. Light flooded in through the huge arched bay windows where a small seating area offered the perfect spot for a morning coffee. A king-sized oak pencil bed filled the space with sumptuous fabrics and throws making it an inviting spot to sleep on at the end of a busy day.
The team kindly provided a beautiful wooden cot for our 19-month-old daughter to sleep in and also filled our mini bar and fridge with tasty treats and snacks, all included in the price of the room; from delicious chocolate-dipped shortbread biscuits to pre-mixed mini cocktails.
Transforming the room for night – especially when trying to get a toddler to sleep in the long, bright summer evenings – was easy thanks to the traditional wooden shutters and thick, rich drapes, creating a dark and snug retreat. The magnificent bathroom remained light and airy; spacious with a freestanding roll-top bath, large shower and lovely views over the front façade of the hotel.
Food and drink
The Cedar Restaurant is housed in the original 16th century wing of the house, with low ceilings and small windows creating a cosy and intimate setting. The formal restaurant offers a fabulous kids menu as well as a fun activity pack for children to enjoy at the table.
While the food was a little slow to come out (particularly with a hangry toddler in tow already past her bedtime and her patience wearing thin!), when it did arrive it was well worth the wait. Seasoned to perfection, made with the finest and freshest ingredients, and packed full of flavour – I never knew a cup of frothy cauliflower and mackerel veloute with crisp, sweet apple pieces could be so tasty (a delicious amuse bouche).
Our toddler tucked into her crudites and hummus, as well as trying some of the canapes which staff brought out to kick off our mouth-watering meal. The delicate but colourful canapes consisted of smoked salmon with beetroot jelly and wasabi, a guacamole cup, rich and salty goats cheese croquette, and shredded ox cheek. They were served alongside warm homemade focaccia and sourdough bread with salted butter topped with beurre noisette.
Our little one loved her pasta with chicken in a creamy ham and mushroom sauce but the portion was so huge that we took some back to our room in a doggy bag! We started with pork belly which was beautifully presented with a perfectly cooked scallop, and the delicate but flavoursome sea trout which came with sweet beetroot. Next up, my husband had the wagyu beef with a rich and creamy camembert dauphinoise, served with asparagus, while I chose the burrata – which was so smooth and milky – served on a bed of saffron quinoa, peppers and avocado.
With a tired toddler, we opted for dessert back in our room – which the team was happy to oblige – and we tucked into a dark chocolate delice with passionfruit sorbet, and lemon bomb with white chocolate.
Spa and wellness
The manor’s former lodge has been lovingly renovated and transformed into a stylish spa. The sleek finish of the spa amenities complement the original features of the old building which retains its historic integrity, from its rugged exposed stone walls, vaulted ceilings and oak beams.
There’s a bright, open reception and waiting area, which wraps around into the spatisserie – a contemporary café offering tasty snacks, cakes and smoothies, with seating areas overlooking the al fresco hydro pool.
The small but fully equipped gym leads off of the main reception area as well as a number of treatment rooms where guests can enjoy a range of facials, massages and beauty treatments. I was lucky enough to nip off and enjoy a break from mum-life with a 25-minute neck, shoulder and back massage which was the perfect combination of relaxation and rejuvenation.
The 15m-long pool is finished in dark grey tiles and a black marble ceiling reflects the light and ripples in the water. The slate floors and pool steps are heated and there are lots of comfy cushioned rattan loungers and chairs to relax on in addition to the balmy climate-controlled relaxation loungers. There’s a steam room and Finnish sauna, as well as a Himalayan salt sauna – with golden glowing salt walls – and a herbal heat room filled with the delicate aroma of bluebells. At the heart of the spa, sunken into the patio, is a large hydropool with bubbling jets where you can relax in the sunshine.
Children are welcome to swim at set times and our daughter loved splashing in the pool and practising her kicking as we swam lengths, collecting her favourite toys which floated in the warm water.
The spa is open early for those who want to wake up with a swim and doesn’t close until 9.30pm, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy a visit. I was lucky to have the whole spa to myself when I headed down after dinner with my daughter asleep in bed and my husband happily tucked up in our room watching England play in the Euros!
To do
There are plenty of amenities and activities at Fawsley Hall to keep the whole family busy without having to leave the grounds, extending to 2,000 acres with a host of walks to explore, but there’s lots to do nearby if you do want to venture out into the Northamptonshire countryside too. Motor racing fans can head to Silverstone Circuit just 30 minutes away and Bicester Village is less than an hour’s drive if you’re looking for a bargain. There’s lots of history in the local area, so visitors can also enjoy day trips to Blenheim Palace, Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick Castle.
Factbox
Stays at Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa are subject to change, an overnight stay starts from £238 for two people. Children aged three and under stay and dine for free, while kids aged four-11 receive complimentary bed and breakfast.
Address: Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa, Fawsley, Daventry, NN11 3BA
Phone: 01327 892000
Website: handpickedhotels.co.uk
Hotel photograghy courtesy of Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa.
