“We’re booked into the Bridle Suite” I told Mrs P. “Oooh, The Bridal Suite” she replied with a sparkle in her eye. I think she might have been disappointed that there weren’t sweet, scented confetti scattered across the bed on our arrival at The Hare and Hounds in Newbury had I not first pointed out the difference in the spelling.
Yes, this is equine country and it’s difficult not to notice the horse references around this coaching inn, the heart of which dates back to the 17th century. Although still in a village setting, but no longer surrounded by fields five centuries on, a lot of the the art on the walls here obviously depicts the hunt, albeit in a contemporary stylised way that cleverly links the building’s historical roots to its modern day sympathetically extended persona of what is essentially a boutique hotel. But of course, just four miles down the road is the famous racecourse for which I’m sure The Hare & Hounds would make an excellent base.
Styled to perfection
The accommodation is housed in a selection of converted old outbuildings and stables that surround the Inn; The Stables, The Paddocks, The Hunter’s Lodge and The Coach House. They include ‘King’ rooms – some of which are ‘dog (or should it be hound?) friendly’, others which are thoughtfully designed for disabled use, ‘Deluxe Kings’ and suites. Our ‘Bridle’ Suite is the most luxurious, featuring a super king bed, a rolltop copper bath, separate lounge with bar, and a wet room.
Our ‘Bridle’ Suite is the most luxurious, featuring a super king bed, a rolltop copper bath, separate lounge with bar, and a wet room.
Like the rest of the pub / hotel, the design really impressed such is the attention to detail and little touches; from the panelled walls and complimentary sloe gin, to the clever lighting and hunt scene curtains and soft furnishings. In fact, it was when we went down to dinner a bit later we couldn’t help but notice that the neat Victorianesque illustration emblem of the Hare sitting on a Hound was in evidence throughout the hotel – coasters , napkins, crockery, labels. Apparently, the glass water bottles in the rooms with their etched version of the logo are forever having to be replaced as light fingered guests take a fancy to them. Understandably. Even some of the interiors feature bespoke wallpaper that is bang on-brand.
Much thought and care has obviously gone into the aesthetics here to create an environment that manages to be relaxed and 21st century quirky yet without losing all its coaching inn character. Owners, Grosvenor Pubs & Inns (whose other properties include The Kings Arms, Egham; The Cricketers in Pirbright and The Queens’s Head, East Clandon) deserve much credit.
There are little corners that are traditional English village pub with beams, gorgeous, exposed brickwork and fireplaces. But there is also a wonderfully light, airy, spacious barn extension restaurant and a separate private dining room.
Much thought and care has obviously gone into the aesthetics here to create an environment that manages to be relaxed and 21st century quirky yet without losing all its coaching inn character.
Given that the weather was pleasant during our stay we opted to dine al fresco in the ‘Rose Garden’ – a large, flower fringed terrace with canopies, fairy lights and a menu where they put ‘inventive twists on traditional pub classics’.
Classics done differently
Suitably varied, the starter temptations included baked scallops, bang bang cauliflower and Hampshire watercress & pea soup. My final decision was a handmade ‘Nduja scotch egg which I thought successfully endowed a humble British staple to a new level of flavour and spice, tempered by a dollop of mascarpone and herb oil. I wasn’t sure if the accompanying flakes of filo added anything, but they wouldn’t detract me from ordering this again. Meanwhile across the table, Mrs P’s pleasant meaty crafted rectangle of ham hock terrine was accompanied by a block of Olivier (potato) salad.
A mains menu covered all the bases ‘from the land, sea and garden’ including glazed pork belly, chicken curries, burgers and pies; plant-based patties and herby risottos; Seabass fillets and of course that long-standing pub favourite Haddock & Chips. And while my dining companion tucked into a nicely crafted and presented Salmon & Crayfish Fishcake, minus the usual poached egg (she’s funny about eggs), I selected a Signature Steak Fries from their grill menu. Although slightly less bloody than I would normally like, it was perfectly seasoned and came with a very agreeable peppercorn sauce and crispy beef dripping skin-on fries.
To round things off, savoury biscuits and award-winning cheeses from Carmarthenshire, Canterbury and Kent on one side of the table. And on the other, sweet biscuits (in the form of Biscoff Cheesecake) with suitably subtle vanilla gelato and caramelised banana that was flavoursome without overdoing the sweetness.
At the table, and in fact throughout the inn, we found the staff to be friendly, efficient and accommodating. The short walk from table to suite was hardly going to burn off any of the consumed calories, after which an in-room digestif of sloe gin, a night in that comfortable bed and a hearty breakfast in the morning sun and it was time to bid goodbye.
But one of the highlights of the Newbury race calendar is the Lockinge Stakes in May, coincidently a few days before our wedding anniversary. We keep promising that we really should attend more race meetings, so maybe that could be a perfect excuse to return. That if it’s not already booked – I imagine it’s popular in race season.
Bridle or Bridal; having now experienced it, I know that it would make a suitably romantic escape regardless of which spelling.
The Hare & Hounds is on Bath Road, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 1QY
Tel: 01635 521152
www.hareandhoundsnewbury.co.uk
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