The Middleton Lodge Estate

The good life just gets better at this tranquil retreat in 200 acres of Georgian parkland, with rooms in the coach house and beautifully styled hideaways. James and Rebecca Allison are creating an evolving arcadia around their Palladian mansion. ‘It’s a very special place,’ says a devotee. Sensitively restored outbuildings are the acme of rustic chic. The Doghouse, in the orchard, overlooking a wild-flower meadow, has French doors to a patio. The Head Gardener’s Cottage, with timber-panelled walls, super-king bed and wood-burning stove, opens on to the vast, prolific kitchen garden. Dairy hot-tub rooms have a private garden, a bath and walk-in shower, Roberts radio and espresso machine. In the restaurant and outside, an estate-to-plate menu features dishes from land, sea and garden, with inventive plant-based options. Our reader enjoyed ‘delicious bramble mocktails; a beautiful crab starter, full of intense flavours, helped along by a bowl of fries; gorgeous chocolate mousse’. Gourmet restaurant, Forge, with new head chef, Jake Jones, and head pastry chef, Antony Johnson, serves a nine-course tasting-menu with optional wine pairing, Thursday to Sunday evenings. Vegan and vegetarian menus are available on request. The Forest Spa is being restored, and Middleton Lodge is available for private hire. (P and PT)