Beech House & Olive Branch
Swing off the A1 down a tree-lined lane to this award-garlanded village gastropub, with rooms in a Georgian house opposite. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
Swing off the A1 down a tree-lined lane to this award-garlanded village gastropub, with rooms in a Georgian house opposite. Host Ben Jones has an impressive CV which includes stints at Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead; Hambleton Hall, Hambleton; and as launch manager at Hart’s, Nottingham (see entries). In 1999 he and two friends bought the defunct Olive Branch, refurbished it and revived its fortunes. Chef Luke Holland creates innovative, daily-changing, seasonal menus, but fish and chips is a staple. You can eat indoors by the fire, or in a garden gazebo. ‘The food was fab,’ writes a reader. ‘A steak tartare starter was especially good, bread possibly the best I ever had, guinea hen tender and tasty.’ He did, though, crave more of the vegetables grown in the paddock. In Beech House, bedrooms are individually styled, with a Roberts radio and smart TV. Most have a coffee machine. Double Cream has a freestanding roll-top bath and walk-in shower. Accessible, dog-friendly Chocolate has two bedrooms, a lounge, wet room and patio. ‘Staff were friendly and efficient.’ A great, locally sourced breakfast is served only on days when the pub is open. (Peter Anderson, DW, MM-D)
Hotel details
Address
Main Street
Clipsham
Rutland
LE15 7SH
England
Telephone
01780 410355
Bedrooms
6. 2 on ground floor, family room (suitable for disabled) in annexe.
Open
all year, closed Sun evening, Mon, Tues, lunch only on 25 Dec, 1 Jan.
Facilities
bar, dining room, breakfast room, in-room TV, garden, paddock, public rooms wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Background music
classical/jazz in pub.
Children
all ages welcomed, cot £10, extra bed £30.
Dogs
allowed by prior consent in ground-floor bedrooms (£10 per night, with bed, bowl), bar, in paddock on lead.
Credit cards
MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £205, singles from £120. Set-price dinner £37.50–£45 (2/3 courses), tasting menu (7 courses) £80.
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