History
History of Hambleton Hall
Hambleton Hall was built in 1881 as a hunting box by Walter Marshall. Marshall’s fortune was derived from a brewery business of the same name, but he came to Rutland to enjoy the fox hunting.
Tim and Stefa Hart bought Hambleton Hall in 1979 and opened as a hotel and restaurant in July 1980. Tim had spent 10 years in finance after taking a philosophy degree at Cambridge University. The move to Rutland enabled him to indulge his enthusiasms for food, wine, gardens, country living and hospitality.
Tim and Stefa
Tim is still closely involved with the hotel. His wife Stefa practices as an interior designer but in 1980 was too busy with small children to undertake the Hambleton project, and instead asked her friend Nina Campbell to take charge. Nina’s schemes still survive in the bar and private dining room. Elsewhere Stefa’s touch is evident throughout.
Noël Coward
Some time ago Tim Hart had the good fortune to receive, on loan, Walter Marshall’s scrap book. This document consists of a compilation of clippings mostly of a scandalous or scurrilous kind reflecting his interest in gossip, scandalous divorces, demi-mondaine girls (some revealing their arms and ankles) and spicy tales from the ‘pink-un’.
Marshall remained a bachelor and when he died seems best remembered locally for the excellence of his table and cellar, and the convivial if slightly ‘racey’ company he kept.
He left his house to his younger sister Eva Astley Paston Cooper. Although Eva started life as a keen devotee of the chase, from the age of 50 onwards she presided over a salon of bright young things including Noël Coward, Malcolm Sargent and Charles Scott Moncrieff.
In his autobiography ‘Present Indicative’ Noël Coward describes Mrs. Astley Paston Cooper in the following terms: “Mrs Cooper was gay company. Her principle pleasure was to lie flat on her back upon a mattress in front of the fire and shoot off witticisms in a sort of petulant wail.”
Mrs Astley Patson Cooper’s granddaughter has suggested that Noël Coward’s rather uncharitable remarks about his benefactor were somewhat influenced by the fact that the young Noël was made to spend most of his waking hours here chopping down trees for the good of his health!
After Mrs Cooper’s death Lord Trent, Dr. Brockbank and Major and Mrs Hoare enjoyed the house in their turn until the 1970s brought two big surprises. The creation of Rutland Water in 1976 (to provide water for the inhabitants of Peterborough and Northampton) transformed the outside environment, while Tim and Stefa Hart transformed the inside in 1979/80.
The house has come full circle. As a small hotel and restaurant for discriminating diners and travellers, the house has returned to a very similar convivial use to that for which it was built.
Amazing crop of apples this year, harvest time in the kitchen garden, delicious fresh picked juicy apples.
#homegrown #kitchengarden #localproduce #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux
Dogs are very welcome to stay with you when you visit Hambleton and enjoy the stunning walks which surround the hotel 🐶
Take a look at our FAQ section on our website about our Canine Residents.
We look forward to welcoming you and your dog soon.
#dogfriendlyhotel #petfriendlyaccommodation #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux #discoverrutland #rutlandwater
Memorable occasions are always worth celebrating, birthdays, anniversaries or any special date, let us help you enjoy the day at Hambleton.
Search, 'Celebrate a Special Occasion' 🔗 under Special Offers in our bio.
#hambletonevents #memorableoccasions #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux #discoverrutland
We are thrilled to announce that Hambleton Hall has been awarded a Two Key distinction by @michelinguide
This new MICHELIN Guide award recognises the most outstanding hotels in the UK and Ireland, each vetted by hotel experts and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; value for the price; and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.
We are delighted to be amongst the hotels awarded two keys, for an exceptional stay, a huge thank you to all the team at Hambleton and continued support from our guests.
#michelinguide #michelinkeys #michelinkeyawards #luxuryhotel #hambletonhall
The first signs of Autumn, as the leaves begin to change colour and the log fires are burning once again.
Hambleton's location on the peninsula above Rutland Water offers wonderful walks to enjoy the Autumnal colours. Please do ask at reception for a copy of Tim Hart's map of walks in the area🍁
#hambletonpeninsula #rutlandwater #autumnwalks #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux
Golden Chocolate, with passion fruit & banana, tastes divine.
Get ahead and book a table online this Autumn 🍁
#dessertlovers #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux #michelinstar
The perfect start to any trip to Hambleton, a 'Bloody Mary', take the opportunity when you next visit to order your favourite cocktail 🍸
#hambletoncocktails #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux #michelinstar
'Fern' bedroom has a huge bay window to enjoy the magnificent view of Hambleton's garden and Rutland Water. Decorated in a beautiful green and white chintz, the walls were specially stencilled for us with bamboos and fern-decorated ceramics.
To browse all 17 individually designed bedrooms search 'Stay with us' in our bio 🔗
#baywindowview #interiordesign #rutlandwaterview #hambletonhall #pobhotels #relaischateaux