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Rushton Hall - Rushton

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A really special place to stay

Staying in somewhere as grand as Rushton Hall is always going to be special. Built and embellished in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, it’s more than a stately home – it’s a bit of history that can be your home for a weekend.


Sitting in acres of lush gardens and parkland, Rushton Hall rises up in front of you like something out of a movie. Enter through the huge, wooden front doors and you’ll find yourself in a labyrinth of wood-pannelling, huge stone fireplaces, grand staircases and stained glass windows. It’s all very…old. But don’t be fooled into thinking this fantastic hotel is a haven for fuddy-duddies – far from it. The bedrooms at Rushton Hall are beautifully light and airy, with huge beds, crisp linen, beautiful bathrooms and all the modern technology you would expect. Room size ranges from the ridiculously enormous four-postered bedrooms, to the wonderfully cosy superior bedrooms. All are individually designed and furnished, giving the hotel a boutique-y feel despite its size, and all offer views over the Hall’s grounds and the parkland beyond.

The restaurant at Rushton Hall is as grand as you would expect, with a fantastic open fireplace and wood panelling. The menus are far from old-fashioned though, with fresh and vibrant British dishes made from local and seasonal ingredients. The evening a la carte menu is a real treat, with some of the most exciting pudding choices we’ve seen in a while (Coconut and Malibu soufflé anyone?), while the Brasserie offers great lunchtime dishes and the perfect afternoon tea.

As if that wasn’t enough, Rushton Hall is opening its state-of-the-art Stableyard Spa in Spring 2008, which promises beautiful pools, relaxation areas and treatment rooms.

Where is it?

The little village of Rushton sits in the midst of pretty Northamptonshire countryside, with Rushton Hall, and its peculiar Triangular Lodge, being its star attractions. Don’t get too excited by the nearest towns of Corby and Kettering, as both are fairly uninspiring, but there are good exploring options in this oft-ignored corner of England.

If Rushton Hall has left you craving more historical masterpieces, you can’t do much better than Boughton House (www.boughtonhouse.org.uk Tel: 01536 515731), otherwise known as ‘The English Versailles’. This jaw-dropping ancestral pile is one of the greatest buildings in Europe, with a French-styled Chateau frontage hiding a maze of very English nook and crannies. The house is only open for a month in the summer, but is more than worth the trip. Boughton’s beautifully landscaped gardens and parkland are open all summer and are the perfect spot for a romantic picnic. Numerous chocolate-box villages belonging to the Boughton Estate and linked by windy country roads, also make this area great for a relaxed afternoon’s drive.

Drive east from Rushton and you’ll arrive in the pretty Nene Valley. The best way to explore the area this has to be by steam train – The famous Nene Valley Railway (www.nvr.org.uk Tel: 01780 784444) leaves from Wansford, half an hour from Rushton. Used in countless films and TV programmes, from Poirot to Octopussy, it’s still the most romantic way to travel. The railway stops at several points between Wansford and Peterborough, including Ferry Meadows, from where you can walk to the heart of the 500-acre Nene Country Park. If you’d rather stick to walking, the valley offers a huge selection of trails and riverside walks. One of the best is the 4-mile walk from Oundle, an attractive medieval market town, to Lyveden New Bield (www.nationaltrust.org.uk Tel: 01832 205358), a never-completed Elizabethan mansion in its own really gorgeous gardens.

For something a little more fast-paced, visit The Racing School at Rockingham Motor Speedway (www.racing-school.co.uk Tel: 0800 234 6034). The UK’s only oval race track is just 10 minutes from Rushton, and is perfect for putting the pedal to the medal – book ahead for some great supercar racing experiences.

Where can I eat?

Rushton Hall’s fantastic restaurant is a no-brainer option for dinner – after all, there’s nothing better than enjoying an amazing meal and a bottle (or two) of vino, all in the knowledge that your bed is within staggering distance.

However, if you fancy a more relaxed alternative, The Hatton Arms in the pretty village of Gretton (www.thehattonarms.com Tel: 01536 770268), about twenty minutes from Rushton, is a proper country gastropub, with hearty British dishes and great beer, all in a gorgeous 15th-century inn. Another pub gem is The Falcon Inn (www.thefalconinn.co.uk Tel: 01832 226254) in the pretty village of Fotheringhay, half an hour from Rushton. Recently taken over by a passionate local couple, the menu is fresh and vibrant, with lots of local and seasonal ingredients. Fantastic home-made ice cream and an exciting wine list are the icing on the cake.

For something really special, the amazing Hambleton Hall (www.hambletonhall.com Tel: 01572 756 991) is more than worth the 40 minutes’ drive from Rushton. Set in a beautiful Victorian country hotel on the banks of Rutland Water, the Michelin-starred restaurant is an amazing fine dining experience. Multi award-winning chef Aaron Patterson has created an astonishing menu, with set menu options for anyone who might get carried away with the A la carte option!

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Staying in somewhere as grand as Rushton Hall is always going to be special. Built and embellished in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, it’s more than a stately home – it’s a bit of history that can be your home for a weekend.