Mallory Court Is A Hidden Warwickshire Gem

4 months ago

All the country house charm with a healthy dollop of Warwickshire warmth

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Fancy a countryside escape with buckets of history right on the doorstep? Mallory Court should be top of the list, says Olivia Emily.

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Hotel Review: Mallory Court, Warwickshire

A stone’s throw from Leamington Spa yet nestled amid seemingly endless countryside, Mallory Court is a shining example of the British country house hotel: cosy interiors, beautiful gardens, and the friendliest of staff right on hand.

Built in 1916 for retired cotton producer James Thomas Holt, the biscuit-coloured property has changed hands a number of times over the last century, first as a private home (upon Holt’s death housing Captain John Black from 1936–56, who added oak panelling in the dining rooms, an outdoor pool and a squash court; and then housing John Anthony Dunbar Lucas and family until 1976) before Allan Holland and Jeremy Mort invested and realised the property’s spacious potential as a countryside hotel.

With more investment from IT entrepreneur Sir Peter Rigby in 1995, Mallory Court was the first member of what would become the Eden Hotels Collection – the brand behind Devon’s magnificent yet down-to-earth country bolthole Bovey Castle, Kidderminster’s Brockencote Hall, Cheltenham’s Greenway Hotel and Spa, and more. Mallory Court is undergoing an update in 2024, with refurbishments to the 11 bedrooms and suites in the main Manor House; lucky guests like us might just get to be the first to experience interior designer Lucy Yarwood’s new yet classic country interpretation of the space. Regardless of where you stay, expect a cloud-soft mattress, bedding and pillows for the perfect night’s sleep, surrounded by comfy cosy country interiors, armchairs, patterned cushions and wallpaper, thick carpets and curtains, and essential modcons like USB ports and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Period features blend seamlessly with a sensitive facelift

Period features shine thanks to the sensitive facelift by Lucy Yarwood. © Olivia Emily

The grand Lutyens style Manor House is the first building we spy on approach to Mallory Court, cloaked in ivy with a stone arched entryway welcoming you inside. Palpable warmth emanates from thick carpets and the supersoft sofas and cushions in the lounge area, as well as from the staff at reception. Bags are whisked upstairs as we check in and, teased by that green-clad facade, we’re keen to explore the grounds.

Set amid 10 acres, beside the Manor House is an idyllic rose garden criss-crossed with pebble paths, while a flourishing kitchen garden is tucked on the opposite side with a polytunnel making a toasty warm home for herbs, salad leaves and other fresh produce used in the restaurant. Guests with bedrooms at the rear of the Manor House will overlook the Lower Terrace, a gorgeously landscaped garden combining flowering plants with the tranquil pond for a perfect pocket of peace. Elsewhere, there’s a manicured Great Lawn, Croquet Lawn, a walled garden tucked behind the Knight Suite (a laid back space for conferences and events, with more bedrooms) and tennis courts hidden behind the spa.

The Spa

Just beyond the Rose Garden find Orchard House – a new addition to the property, sensitively designed to match the older Manor House – which is home to more bedrooms, the spa, and new Asian restaurant Sencha. The spa is not-to-be-missed, featuring a soothing heated pool, sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub. Treatments span GAIA massages to TempleSpa facials, with manicures and pedicures available, too. Breakfast is served in Sencha beside the spa on weekdays, or find the likes of gyoza, chicken karaage, black cod, bao buns and ramen at lunch and dinner time.

The main foodie event, however, is The Dining Room in the Manor House, an award-winning AA Rosette restaurant featuring a curated seasonal menu drawing on the kitchen garden (where breakfast is served at the weekend). Start with a cocktail in the cosy library before moving through to the intimate, romantic dining room wrapped in wood panelling with plush carpets and perfect service. Gaze through Tudor style grilled windows onto the hotel’s gardens, and enjoy a grown up, concise menu of British cuisine, from Cornish cod to suckling pork belly, Creedy Carver chicken to Wye Valley asparagus – all cooked to perfection. There’s also the seven-course ‘taste of the season’ menu if you’re feeling hungry, featuring the chef’s selection of favoured dishes for the spell they’re in season, plus the sommelier’s hand-picked wine pairings.

Of course, there’s plenty to explore beyond Mallory Court’s bounds, too. Here, you’re close to Warwickshire’s best historic spots: Stratford upon Avon, Leamington Spa and Warwick with its ancient castle are all a short drive away, while Blenheim Palace and Oxford are around an hour’s drive away – so Mallory Court is a great base for mid-country explorations. Closest is the small village of Bishop’s Tachbrook, while National Trust properties Charlecote Park, Upton House and Canons Ashby are also close.

The Final Word

Mallory Court is a hidden gem in the heart of Warwickshire – a quaint place to explore or to explore the countryside from. The spa is a haven of relaxation, while a coterie of friendly staff is on hand to please your every need with a warm smile (including, in a crisis of our own making, sourcing some spare cuff links; lifesavers).