The Tempus at Charlton Hall Estate

We had a lovely birthday meal at The Tempus while staying nearby. The mocktail selection was good, and the food tasted fabulous, arrived quickly and was excellent quality. Portions were generous enough that we could have three courses. I’d happily visit again, especially for the sweet potato katsu curry and the Tempus Bomb.

The grounds are nice and the rooms look modern, with decoration that feels very Instagram-friendly. But we didn’t feel much luxury during the stay, and the room wasn’t very clean: stained bedsheets, spiderwebs, dusty skirtings and toothpaste on the mirrors. The loft-like upstairs room also never got warm enough, and on our second night the heating ran out along with the hot water. After a couple of hours, we were offered another room, but it was late, so we left in the morning. Since we weren’t staying the last night, the hotel refunded us for that night and the night without hot water. Nobody called to discuss it; the money just came back through booking.com. We couldn’t believe the menu prices. Higher prices are understandable in a rural location, but £10 for ice cream, £17 for a chocolate dessert and mains in the £30s and above felt like too much. After eating, we didn’t think the food was worth it. We’ve never left a place early before. The photos suggest lots of long walks, several bars and plenty going on, but we didn’t find that. I think the hotel would benefit greatly from adding a spa area and rebranding as a retreat.

Dinner was brilliant, and the maître d’ was such a good host that they lifted the whole experience. The staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful throughout. Our room had everything we needed and more, including White Company products, a dressing gown and slippers, coffee pods and a fridge tucked into the wardrobe. The décor was amazing, the grounds beautiful, and the bed incredibly comfortable. The bathroom was stunning, with a large shower, double sink and freestanding bath. Breakfast was included and the full English was excellent, though other choices cost extra. With checkout at 10am, it could feel a little rushed, and that seemed slightly early for a luxury hotel. We’ll definitely stay again and would highly recommend it.

The grounds were beautiful and the room was amazing. Everything felt perfect, and it was the best hotel of our trip, with excellent value for money. You can request a dental kit free of charge, while slippers and bathrobes are already provided in the room.