Goldstone Hall

A vast, prolific kitchen garden is the perennial glory of John and Sue Cushing’s red brick Georgian manor house in flower-filled acres amid gentle countryside. But there is much more to admire, not least ‘very comfortable rooms and excellent food’. The bedrooms, one with an antique four-poster, have a classic feel but modern furnishings. Each has a deep bath and separate power shower, a fridge with fresh milk, and home-baked biscuits. Garden rooms have views of the walled garden, an old acacia tree, and rose beds. In the restaurant, Liam Philbin’s menus sing of home-grown produce – fermented gooseberries with grilled mackerel; carrot and coriander rösti and fennel pollen yogurt with pigeon breast; pumpkin blackcurrant leaf ice cream, blueberry and violet Alaska. Breakfast in the orangery brings real orange juice, good muesli, great vegetarian options and fresh fruit from the gardens. The latter are open to the public from March to October under the Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden scheme; several other gardens are in the area. (K and LB)