Whatley Manor

Dinner at the Greys was delicious, and the service was exceptional. The building and grounds are beautiful, and the whole place smelled delightful. Our room was clean and well stocked. My partner would have preferred a firmer pillow, and the laid-out breakfast looked like it had been sitting for a while. The fruit was starting to turn and the cheese had begun to go hard, though the cooked breakfast we ordered was scrumptious.

The start of the evening was frustrating. The signage was terrible, we couldn’t figure out how to drive in, parking wasn’t clear, and there was no sign for reception. An email with instructions would have helped. Once inside, the service and atmosphere were good, and the seven-course tasting menu was great. I’d requested a birthday candle in my husband’s dessert and was promised one, but it never appeared, which was disappointing. Even with those hiccups, it was a lovely evening, and the grounds were very nice.

On our way back to the car park, we had a map that let us enjoy the gardens. Finding the courtyard doors took a bit of effort, though. The outdoor signs for non-residents were so discreet we eventually spotted the little button to open them. We had a superb afternoon tea in front of the fire at 1330 on 29 October 2025. The team member serving us was confident, well trained, and very welcoming. The tea was probably the best we’ve had anywhere we’ve travelled. As a birthday gift, the whole experience was superb.

The setting is idyllic, the food was sublime, and every team member gave me the best service I’ve ever had. Wow, what an amazing hotel! I definitely want to come back. In fact, I don’t want to leave!