Sudbury House

Celebrating a birthday is fun, but celebrating it at a gorgeous hotel on the edge of the Cotswolds is even better! Vale Life’s editor celebrated her recent birthday at the four star Sudbury House, just half an hour’s drive from Oxford.

Location, location…
Nestling on the edge of the Cotswolds between Oxford and Swindon, Sudbury House is in a good location within easy access of the M4 and M40. Having been completely refurbished and renovated in 2015, the hotel now offers four star accommodation and facilities with 49 en-suite bedrooms, all with complimentary Wi-Fi and car parking. The hotel is home to two restaurants and a lounge bar and is located on the edge of the Cotswolds in the picturesque market town of Faringdon.

Steeped in history…
Located in a Grade II listed building now adjoined to Sudbury House Hotel is Restaurant 56. The building, originally a distinguished Georgian house previously owned by Sir William Glock (BBC Controller of Music) is now a fine dining 28 cover restaurant and bar.

The hotel offers a relaxed informal environment and the Magnolia Brasserie is open daily serving a selection of traditional British and European dishes.

What about the food?
Sudbury House has two restaurants; the Magnolia Brasserie and the ne dining restaurant which is located in the Grade II listed building and has been transformed through sensitive refurbishment and redecoration. It has antique furniture, sculptures and stunning artwork. At the helm is award- winning chef, Andrew Scott.

Choose from a la carte or the Chef ’s Tasting Menu. We enjoyed starters of stuffed Wooley Park quail and Scotch egg and charred and cured llet of Cornish mackerel, followed by pan fried llet of Cornish brill and roast breast of Creedy carver duck.

For dessert we chose the plum and garden lavender panna cotta and Valrhona Dulcey and pear delice. The food, presentation and service were impeccable. Don’t just take our word for it, check out the review on TripAdvisor for more.

And when you’re not eating and drinking…
A short walk from the hotel is Folly Hill featuring the Faringdon Folly. Lord Berners was a larger-than-life gentleman and built the tower to tease his neighbours. At the time he insisted it would be entirely useless but today the views from the tower are remarkable and well worth the 104 steps. Throughout Folly Hill, and indeed the town of Faringdon, visitors may spot brightly coloured doves, these follow the eccentric behaviour of Lord Berners who himself dyed his ock of doves in colours of the rainbow.

What is there to see and do around Faringdon?
As well as the Folly Tower, you could visit the Old Town Hall, All Saint’s Church, Great Coxwell Barn, White Horse Hill and Badbury Clump to name but a few. If you’re a shopper (like me!) then a visit to the Designer Outlet Shopping Village in Bicester is a must!

To sum up…
This is a lovely hotel. Spotlessly clean with great food in a picturesque location and combines the classic and contemporary effortlessly. We must mention the staff – all of which were attentive and friendly and couldn’t do enough for us.