Set in acres of lush green Burleigh Court is in a pretty perfect location; just a couple of miles from Stroud, 10 miles from Cirencester and a 20 minute walk to Minchinhampton Common (and the nearest pub).

We visited in-between lockdowns and stayed in Room 9, where the first thing we did was to just make a cup of tea and sit in the double bay windows so that we could look out at the view of grazing sheep and green hills (while enjoying the fact that the view was so different to what we’d been used to at home). Our room blended with the outdoors with its forest green stripe walls making it feel cosy and warm from the chilly Autumn breeze.

The owners, Corinna and James, bought Burleigh Court in April 2019 having packed up their corporate jobs for a new serene, bucolic lifestyle. Looking to find a country house hotel within a two-hour drive of London they found the property and have been renovating ever-since.

With lockdown arriving in March 2020 the couple took to utilising the time to make improvements to the communal areas of the 18 room property (including revealing the 200 year-old wooden floor) while also providing fruit and veg boxes for local neighbours, along with much-needed socially distanced outdoor pizza nights around the fire pit.

Burleigh Court is currently in a transition phase but Corinna is keen to use her first passion of design to bring the hotel screaming into the 21st century. Hoping it will become a “home away from home that people appreciate and want to come back to” they have employed the services of Country house interior designer Maggie Colvin.

“A lot of love and labour has been poured in to the place” says Corinna, who tells us about the pains the couple have gone to to reupholster furniture with new fabrics that blend traditional styles with up-to-date modern touches. The pretty hand-painted wallpaper in the lounge is produced by a local firm and the furniture has been shipped from James’s family home in Italy, to introduce their love of Tuscan chic into the house.

Food alone at Burleigh Court is a great reason to visit. The menu, designed by chef Shaun Jones, is locally sourced (within a 30-mile radius) with sustainable food at the heart of his choices, while supporting local suppliers and, of course, being mindful of keeping a low carbon footprint.

Sitting at the window of the oak panelled dining room you will get a beautiful view of the valley, and a good idea of where some of that fine food comes from. Their own beehive provides the honey and the kitchen garden is ideal for foraging. The farm to fork concept is key, with a local family butcher providing the meat and the quality of food is testament to its 2 AA Rosette status.

We chose the pork and marinated prune terrine and the seared pigeon breast with roasted beetroot, goats cheese mousse and pickled blackberries for our starters. Then we both couldn’t resist the sound of the liquorice braised ox cheek served with truffled mash, Jerusalem artichoke, baby carrots and Forestier sauce.  Having got our way through those two delicious dishes we shared the duo of dark chocolate which was perfectly bitter. Relaxing back in the lounge for a post-dinner glass of red next to the open fire was the ideal way to round off the meal.

Breakfasts are equally hearty and delicious. Shaun’s version of the ‘Full English’ is spot on and there are healthier salmon and scrambled eggs or smashed avocado to choose from but if you are going to tackle the steep valley’s of Stroud trust us, you’ll need the Full English. If you are unsure of how to spend your time make sure you bring your walking shoes because the staff (who are all lovely and helpful) will share their local knowledge of pretty villages, good walks and pleasant drives in the area.

If you are looking for a treat in 2021 (and let’s face it – who isn’t?) then Burleigh’s soon-to-come new rooms with hot tubs might be a way to go, and if you want to get out and about then a walk with Alpacas, e-biking, wine tasting or fishing for trout and then cooking your catch with the chef, could all be something wonderful to look forward to.

Corinna has plans for a truly friendly, informal vibe to the hotel with pre-dinner drinks get-togethers outside so that guests can meet and chat around the fire pits. And for those that prefer casual dining she also has plans for Summer Pizza and BBQ nights to enjoy the stunning valley views.

The details:

Rooms at Burleigh come in five categories: Classic, Cosy, Superior, Noteworthy and Romantic. There are 11 rooms in the main Manor House and 7 in the adjacent Coach House, of which 2 are dog-friendly.

– Classic Room price (lead-in rate) for B&B stays Sunday-Thursday nights inclusive is now from £139 for stays in May & June (Fri/Sat night rates are slightly higher at £159)
– Classic Room price (lead-in rate) for B&B stays Sunday-Thursday nights inclusive is now from £149 for stays in July/August/Sept (Fri/Sat night rates are slightly higher at £169)

Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2PF

https://www.burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk

All images courtesy of Burleigh Court