Embraced by rolling countryside a mile outside Oakham, this Georgian former hunting lodge has received a £2 million shot of contemporary rustic chic to become the Signet Collection’s third boutique hotel. Within walls of creamy local limestone, fireplaces and stone flags mingle with rich bold colours, upscaled furniture and antiques as well as original artworks. With 45 tasteful rooms lining the wings of a serene garden courtyard, a brasserie that sources fine local produce and relaxed but efficient service, the Barnsdale makes an intimate base for exploring a seriously pretty area, including nearby Rutland Water, copious stone villages and striking stately homes.
Overall score 8/10
Main photo: the Barnsdale is a centuries-old former hunting lodge (Greenlys)
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Rooms and suites
Score 7/10
In revitalising a popular, if tired, country hotel within a centuries-old property, the Barnsdale’s new owners have maintained a suitably country mood throughout its rooms by incorporating cheery fabric headboards, colourful cushions and antiques, topped off by complimentary King’s Ginger liqueur and home-baked cookies. A decent range of options includes compact Cosy rooms with single beds; classic doubles; and more spacious Royal or Culture rooms, with richly patterned wallpaper, sofas or armchairs. For a distant view of Rutland Water, choose the upstairs Heritage or Royal category, while for a more gilded stay, the Fort Henry Suite has a striped tester bed and copper rolltop bath by its window. Three adjoining family rooms, two with bunk beds, provide for families. Add a cot for £10 a night or a Z bed for £20. As well as two ground-floor accessible rooms, it also has four dog-friendly ground-floor rooms that cost £20 per dog per night (up to two dogs per room). Several minimalist Scandi-style self-catering chalets lie across an adjoining road within the grounds.
Food and drink
Score 8/10
Resisting any temptation to go head-to-head with Michelin-starred grande dame Hambleton Hall (a croissant toss over Rutland Water) the hotel’s casual brasserie fare is served across the 1760 restaurant, light-washed Orangery and Rod Room, and the welcoming Burley Bar with its striped sofas and recycled floorboards. The new chef Gareth Thorpe, previously at Stamford’s renowned George Hotel, showcases excellent local produce from Rutland Red cheese, Hambleton Bakery bread and Exton Estate game to Launde lamb and Oakham Grainstore beer-battered fish and chips. Alongside a continental-style buffet, the excellent breakfast includes a hearty full English, smoked salmon and eggs on sourdough, and porridge with Barnsdale honey. Spend £140 on food and beverage on a Sunday and your room’s free.
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What else is there?
Score 9/10
By May 2024, the hotel’s tranquil gardens, surrounded by fields with a small children’s play area, croquet lawn and helipad, will include a bucolic spa — a location for two-night yoga retreats — with heated outdoor pool, treatment pods, sauna and wood-fired hot tubs. A striking wood, brick and glass events barn will open next door. The Barnsdale also offers floristry courses and gin tasting with Rutland’s splendid Multum Gin Parvo distillers. When the weather warms, the greenery-clad courtyard opens a Whispering Angel wine bar, and offers kids’ entertainment, weekly live music and occasional artisanal markets for local crafts.
Where is it?
Score 9/10
It’s just under an hour’s drive from Leicester, within 15 minutes of historic Stamford, which means a car is nearly essential (a hotel transfer from Peterborough, the nearest station, costs from £40 for four people). Nearby Rutland Water offers excellent walking, cycling (bike hire from Normanton or Whitwell) and fly fishing, which the Barnsdale happily arranges. There’s superb art and antique shopping in Uppingham, seven miles away, while Stamford’s impressive Burghley House is close by, with Rockingham Castle and Deene Park a 25-minute drive.
Price B&B doubles from £113
Restaurant mains from £19
Family-friendly Y
Dog-friendly Y
Accessible Y
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