“Many of our guests live quite nearby”, says owner Jackie Penticost, “but love the fact that they can relax so close to home. They’ll pop back in the middle of their stay to do the watering.” It’s that kind of place, a quirky and charming former hunting lodge and vicarage set in the village of Burpham, whose flint walled houses, century old cricket pitch and picturesque pub are seemingly suspended in time. There are two sitting rooms and an attractive dining room leading off the elegant hallway. Chickens peck on the lawn and the stately house cat plonks itself wherever it may. In other hands this place could so easily have become boutiquified, with scary prices, but the Penticosts have kept things down to earth. The ten modest, comfortable bedrooms are all different, decorated in mild country house style, with an assortment of furniture, fabrics and ornaments. Steve is the chef, and his food is much liked. Jackie sets the tone at breakfast: “please eat the muffins or the chef will cry”. Shame about the mini-pots of jam and butter.”
Written by Fiona Duncan
Reviews featuring this hotel
“A calm, friendly, unpretentious hotel in an exceptional place that everyone ("from dukes to dustmen") can enjoy.”
