REVIEW: TYLNEY HALL

56 minutes ago
4 min read

A Masterclass in Relaxed Country House Luxury for Adults and Children

We approach Tylney Hall via a grand, winding driveway, and know we’re in for a treat when the stunning, Grade II listed mansion ascends over the horizon.

The beautiful country house hotel - part of the Elite Hotels Group - is nestled within 66 acres of breathtaking parkland and gardens, with endless views across the lush, Hampshire countryside.

The four star hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, award-winning dining, a health and wellness club, adjoining, 18-hole golf course, tennis, croquet, bicycles to borrow and thoughtful touches and service that ensure children are just as welcome as adults.

This is a relief, as we have two insanely excited sprogs in tow when we step across the chequered floors inside this super-luxe, Victorian oasis, with sweeping staircase, dark wooden panelling and portraits of lavishly wigged figures from its grand history, which dates back to 1700.

The interior is opulently romantic. The Italian Lounge is partially panelled in Italian walnut, with a gold gilded ceiling brought in sections from the Grimani Palace in Venice, while the light and airy Grey Lounge is like stepping into The House of Habsburg, with vibrant views across the gardens.

Two of the shiniest jewels in its impressive crown are the heated outdoor pool in the old Dutch Garden and the magical, endless grounds.

The Pools

We arrive on a 30 degree June day, so make a beeline for the tranquil, outdoor pool. It’s studded with loungers, with an ice cream and cocktail bar and framed by the gorgeous backdrop of wisteria, pristine greenery, flowerbeds and the historic, red brick hotel.

There are no shrieks about the cold as the children splash into the heated pool, and time slows right down as we cool from the sizzling sun, and sip Aperols on loungers while our soggy children happily gorge on Jude’s ice cream and chips between dips.

The Gardens

The gardens are just as exciting for big and small guests, with kaleidoscopic flower beds, manicured formal gardens, ancient trees, and endless, rolling lawns.

Our children love exploring and running around the gardens, while we enjoy following them and discovering extraordinary features, like the water gardens designed by legendary British horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll, with picturesque, lily pad-studded lakes, bridges, waterfalls, wisteria tunnels, and streams.

As the sun begins its descent and turns the sky salmon pink, we discover Italian rose and azalea gardens, a Second World War air raid shelter, a garden pavilion, Schultz arch and pretty orchard.

We enjoy sun-downer cocktails on the sweeping terrace outside, while the children tear around the garden with other little guests they’ve befriended.

Dining

Another highlight of the stay is the double AA Rosette-winning restaurant, serving innovative cuisine with a distinctly British twist.

The impressive Oak Room - its name inspired by the rich oak paneling - is bathed in golden light from the windows looking out across the gardens, with opulent, sweeping pink and honey drapes, original fireplaces and an ornate, domed ceiling.

The service is warm and impeccable, and the children are thrilled with their Mickey Mouse shaped melon starters, and high quality burgers and pastas - made in a myriad of ways to suit the fussiest of eaters.

I start with a rich and tangy beef carpaccio, thinly sliced and served with precise orbs of cured egg yolk and pickled mustard seeds.

My partner opts for the delicious Wye Valley asparagus, with béarnaise, poached quails’ eggs, crispy shallots, and wild garlic oil.

Next, I enjoy juicy, Faroe Island Wild Salmon, luxuriously poached in brown butter, studded with cockles on a bed of moreish mussel risotto, with a zesty tomato and grape vierge, and wilted spinach.

The restaurant is famed for its lamb dishes, and my partner understands why, after ordering their lamb rump duo, with perfect, blushing middles, accompanied by creamy, truffled mash and seasonal vegetables. Its beautifully plating does not last long, as he inhales it in contented silence.

The stay includes an excellent breakfast, back in the Oak Room, with a heaving continental selection of cereals, grains, pastries, deli meats and fish, fruit and yoghurt.

For our children, this self-serve breakfast is the king of food, so they work their way through this.

We order from the freshly prepared menu - avocado, poached eggs and chilli oil on sourdough for me, and generous Full English for my husband, with pork sausage, back bacon, tomato, mushroom, black pudding, hash brown, beans and egg.

Our children have a bottomless stomach for hotel breakfasts, so they also demolish fabulous pancake stacks, with banana, creme fraiche and maple syrup from the hot menu.

The Rooms

We stay in a newly refurbished and spacious Garden Suite, perfect for dog owners and families, with direct access to the manicured Kitchen Garden and Walled Gardens for them to run around the fruit trees and herb gardens.

They are light and airy, with a large master bedroom for parents, a generous, white and marble contemporary bathroom with deep tub and shower; and a large lounge, with double and single sofa beds for the children.

There are two TVs and all the luxury touch points, from Nespresso machines, fluffy white robes, Molton Brown toiletries and complimentary chocolates and fruit on arrival.

We reluctantly check out, and are chuffed to learn that we can still use the pool until 1pm. Only our dignity prevents us from hiding in the bushes to prolong our stay at this stunning masterclass in relaxed, country house luxury.

Tynley Hall, Ridge Ln, Rotherwick, Hook RG27 9AZ