Hotels in the Midlands

Head East?

Quy Mill and Spa just outside Cambridge (A1/A14) Walks by the Fens/River Lode.
Can’t beat a meal by the river at the No Hurry Inn just up the road.

Norwich too far? Another hour on A14/A11. The Maids Head by the cathedral and river plus a short distance to the Broads.

Blakeney Hotel North Norfolk. Fresh seasonal food. Can’t get much closer to the water than this! A1/A47

North Wales? The Prince’s Arms Trefriw. Wonderful food.

The William Cecil in Stamford

Sea Marge at Overstrand.

Hambleton Hall if you are feeling flush?
Less than an hour from Leicester.

www.hambletonhall.com/

Ragdale Hall - 5 star hotel and wonderful spa.

Yes. Ragdale.

I’ll second The Blakeney - excellent service and lovely food.

The Poet's House. Ely.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Ragdale is about 5 miles away - so not quite far enough.

One of our favourite places for lunch is The Finches Arms which is part of the Hambleton Estate so that feels a little close to home too.

Blakeney is lovely is not much closer than Aldeburgh.

I'm off to check out the other suggestions.

We were thinking that there might be somewhere we had missed in the Peaks.

The White Swan in Stratford upon Avon where we celebrated our Golden Wedding. Old fashioned black and white timber building, with lovely staff. Situated in the centre of Stratford with parking attached.

What about Warwickshire or the Northern Cotswolds? Some gorgeous hotels there and lovely countryside and places to visit. You could whizz across the M69, A46 down the A429 and could be there in no time. Actually your post prompted a memory from the early 1970s when my family stayed at The Brudenell in Aldeburgh. We’d been studying Peter Grimes in Music at school (a bit grim for 12 year olds) and one night there was a huge, loud thunder storm over the sea. I looked out of the window at the forked lightning and was absolutely terrified imagining that the poor boys from the opera were out there! Knowing that’s where Britten was inspired made it very scary! Strange how we forget such things to have them sparked on Gransnet. 😀

Not quite the Peak district but not far away, Eastwood Hall at Eastwood, Nottingham is very nice.

You might like the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincs.
Is Kings Lynn too far? The Duke's Head in the town centre is lovely.

Many years since we went Kitty but your idea of the Peak District reminded me of The Isaac Walton near Ashbourne.
Superb restaurant then and near Dovedale.
River for water next door.

I think some of us want different things too of course and some once-great hotels are a bit faded now.

I've found that some places are better for food and some for accommodation.

Have you thought about the Peak district?
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/derbyshire/peak-district/articles/best-pubs-with-rooms-peak-district/

I've always fancied a night in Chateau Impney in Droitwich. It's always fully booked months ahead though.

I was going to suggest the Peak District too. The area around Chatsworth is lovely.

The Peak District is my old stomping ground. The Devonshire Arms at Baslow? Sadly too far away for me to revisit now. A beautiful area.

There are some nice hotels in the Peak District. If you want something upmarket, The Riverside at Ashford in the Water; the Cavendish at Baslow; Fischers, also at Baslow. Handy for Chatsworth, Haddon, Bakewell and some superb walking if you’re into it. The Peacock at Rowsley used to be very good.

The Devonshire Arms is just around the corner from the back entrance to Chatsworth Park. The public are free to enter the park through the kissing gate and to walk wherever they wish. Lovely walks along the river up towards the house.

Brilliant suggestions for the Peak District thank you.

And, obviously, my memory is fading. We have eaten at the Peacock and The Devonshire Arms.

UTBB, we had a second home near Ashbourne and the Izaak Walton was our go to for Sunday lunch.

Autumncolours, we have seen some spectacular lightning over the see from the Brudenell - fabulous.

It's true, Notspaghetti some places are better at some things.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and for jogging my memory.

Please let us know kittylester if you find somewhere lovely!
I'm always on the lookout... but have had a lot of food disappointments recently it seems. 😕

I had a really good meal at the Black Swan, Henley-in-Arden a couple of weeks ago - even though it's one of a gastro chain!

I will!!

Kate. Chateau Impney has now closed.