Tylney Hall, Hampshire

 

 

Tylney Hall
Rotherwick
Hook, Hampshire
RG27 9AZ
Tel: 01256 764881
www.tylneyhall.com

Tylney Hall is one of the grand places to visit, large, imposing with a wealth of history to match the building and the magnificent grounds close to Hook, Hampshire, less than twenty minutes drive from the heart of Wokingham,

Situated five minutes from the M3 (close to London, Heathrow and the M25), Tylney Hall offers the ideal venue for weekend breaks, conferences meetings and weddings as well a providing guests with an ideal break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, it almost provides a barrier from the pace of modern life when you enter the hotel by means of the tree lined driveway, the peace and tranquillity offer salvation to those who want to really relax in a top of the range four star establishment where the guest is king. What a place to enjoy after a hard week of teaching, a Friday evening experience to savour, appreciate and fully enjoy, a simply stunning start to any weekend of the year.

Each of the beautifully appointed bedrooms has telephone, satellite television, trouser press, hair dryer, modem lines, a selection of Molton Brown toiletries and bottled water. Many of these luxurious rooms and suites have stunning views over the vista, which has the longest uninterrupted view of Hampshire.

Our very large suite gave us a substantial lounge with comfy sofas, a television and coffee table laden with glossy magazines, some on the hotel, others extolling the pleasures of Hampshire properties and restaurants. It was beautifully coordinated with three large windows giving us views over the impressive main entrance. Our bedroom reflected the time the building was completed, more than a hundred years ago, with a four poster bed centre stage. The bathroom, up a few steps, complete the extensive facilities afforded to us for our Friday stay, complete with the fluffiest towels known to man. This was truly a delightful room in which to shower, bath, and make oneself beautiful and to prepare for the delights of the dining room.

The Italian Lounge and Wedgwood-style Drawing Room provides guests with elegant surroundings for those quiet moments of relaxation. Pre-dinner drinks may be taken in the Library Bar or one of the elegant lounges before tasting the gastronomic delights of the Oak Room Restaurant.

With elegant lounges, the Oak Room Restaurant, our venue for our Friday evening dinner, offering a high standard of gourmet cuisine and fine wines supported by attentive and professional service, ideal ingredients in any short break.


The imposing lounges allow time not only to admire the menu but the fine furnishings reflecting the grandeur of Tylney, almost a trip back some considerable years. High ceilings, huge windows, mountains of rich curtain fabrics and open fires, a real trip back to the splendour of a bygone age. Attentive uniformed service adds to the grandeur, with some delicious nibbles to enjoy whilst reading the Traditional Sunday Luncheon menu.

Sue enjoyed the sound of the Prawn, Crab and Avocado Gateau with Dill Dressing, a pleasing combination which worked well, the prawn and crab being perfect partners on the plate, with the smooth texture of the avocado supportive, aided by the excellent dill dressing, one I would like to try at home. I was a little more traditional, enjoying the Smoked Salmon Platter, moist fresh pink salmon, complete with fresh lemon juice with a few turns of the pepper mill to complete the performance. This was smooth to taste, full of flavour with a lemon edge, one of my all time favourites. Fresh bread accompanied both our starters, with a wide choice of rolls on offer, light, freshly cooked and far too tempting!!

Sue had already chosen a Margaret River Red, bursting with fruit, and one of her favourites since she encountered it on a recent wine course. That, together with a bottle of Hildon sparkling water sustained us throughout our evening meal as we watched the dining room fill to capacity with people making the most of their weekend time to enjoy good food in illustrious surroundings with the opportunity to catch up on all the recent gossip. Excited chatter throughout the room at times overcame the gentle sounds of the pianist, playing a medley of familiar favourites from a previous era. Pleasing, at times very enjoyable, and certainly suitable for the surroundings in the Oak Room of Tylney Hall, yet another reminder for those who like a short journey into history.

Sue, broke with tradition and chose the Breast of Chicken served with Creamed tagliatelle and Wild Mushrooms. Plump and tender the chicken was magnificent, although the pasta was a touch inconsistent in parts, the cream a fraction thin. The dish, despite these minor imperfections, was fine and enjoyed with the additional freshly cooked vegetable brought to both of us on a side dish. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and green beans added colour and taste to the plate. I followed the traditional route with Roast Sirloin of Aberdeen Angus Beef, complete with Yorkshire pudding and Horseradish Sauce, as traditional as it gets!

Excellent cuts of beef, well cooked with a pink heart, as requested, together with some roasted and new potatoes and my shared vegetable and my glass of red from Margaret River and I was content. The Yorkshire pudding was light, bright of colour and tasty, one of the very few failings in the culinary repertoire of