Short stay: Sedgebrook Hall, Chapel Brampton, Northamptonshire, UK

Set in Northamptonshire countryside and just 5 miles from Northampton, Sedgebrook Hall is a Victorian country house, set in 13 acres of grounds, that has been extended into a conference hotel (and part of the Principal Hayley group), catering largely for conferences, events and weddings. The welcome We arrived quite late after a long journey so were appreciative of a quick check-in before being directed to our rooms. We had travelled with a trailer carrying three boats so also took comfort from the electronic security on arrival which detected our numberplate on entry into the grounds. It was quite a long walk to the room from reception – this perhaps shouldn’t have come as a surprise since the hotel has around 100 guest rooms, but if mobility is an issue for you, you might want to mention this in advance. The room We had two standard rooms next door to each other – one double and one twin. Both were rather compact with just enough room for a desk and a single comfy chair. Had we been spending any length of time in the room, it would have been nice to have a little more space but we were out all day throughout our stay so this wasn’t really an issue for us. The beds were very comfortable with thick, soft mattress toppers that assured us of a good night’s sleep each night. We had been given codes (one per device) for free wireless internet access, and this worked fine from all areas of the hotel that we tried, including our rooms. The bathroom The bathroom was quite small also but included a WC, basin and a bath with a shower over it. Complimentary Eco Boutique brand toiletries (Aloe Leaf & Green Tea) were provided. The facilities The hotel is particularly well equipped for conferences – with more than 20 meeting and event rooms – and weddings. There’s a gym, tennis court and putting green, as well as indoor pool, hot tub and sauna. The Tempus Bar & Restaurant are a focal point within the hotel where you can relax, have a drink and an evening meal. We dined in on one of the evenings and were pleasantly surprised by the food. My pressed ham hock and pea terrine came with black pudding croutons, spiced apple puree, pickled carrots and pea and popcorn shoots. My wife’s ‘superfood salad’ consisted of a colourful ensemble of broccoli, baby spinach, red quinoa, baby kale, avocado, pomegranate seeds, roasted squash and raw shredded beetroot. One of our sons had the Italian stuffed tomatoes (from the specials menu) with Parmesan and dressed leaves drizzled with herb oil which also looked to be a very appealing option. For my main course, I had the rump of lamb marinated in Moroccan spices (and served pink as per my request) with a very tasty combination of cracked freekeh, apricots, pistachios, raita and coriander cress. My wife meanwhile had the smoked haddock with garlic mashed potatoes and a grain mustard sauce. Between us, we sampled two desserts: a chocolate and orange ganache tart with a pecan brittle and crème fraiche… …as well as a raspberry and pistachio slice served with clotted cream ice cream. Breakfast is served at the same restaurant each morning and offered on a buffet basis, with hot and cold options available. Cost Rates start from £125 per room per night, including breakfast. The best bit For us, the best bit about the hotel – and the reason we chose it – was the location. Not only is it situated in peaceful Northamptonshire countryside but it is also just 2 miles from Northampton Sailing Club, located on the western shore of Pitsford Water, a reservoir where we were attending a sailing event. The final verdict The hotel was fine for our needs but, in my opinion, probably excels best with the market that it’s primarily set out to cater for – namely, conferences and weddings – rather than leisure breaks. Its size, layout and provision of meeting rooms mean it has a conference ‘feel’ to it, and this is probably where the hotel’s forte lies. Disclosure: My stay was courtesy of Sedgebrook Hall.