Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<p>10/10. <a href="https://www.downhamhall.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downham Hall</a> appears to be in the middle of nowhere and yet it&#8217;s less than ten minutes&#8217; away from the centre of Basildon, with its bustling high street and easy to reach train station. Overlooked by a pretty hilltop church and surrounded by rolling hills and crop fields, the whole scene looks like something Constable might have painted if he’d got tired of dabbing canvases in Dedham.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bought in 2017 by husband and wife team Christina and Andrew Metcalfe, the couple saw the potential and took five years to transform the country pile into a smart boutique getaway with a <em>very</em> special restaurant.  &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe-nbsp">THE VIBE&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="520" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.37.33.png" alt="Downham Hall Gardens" class="wp-image-17600" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.37.33.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.37.33-800x416.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.37.33-768x399.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Quintessentially English. From the lavender-lined front path to the red brick Georgian facade and peel of bells as I arrived (it’s bell-ringing practice at St Margaret&#8217;s church on Thursday nights!), turning up at Downham Hall feels like stepping into a Jane Austen novel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet inside things are more <em>Elle Deco</em> than Austen, with stylish sofas, eye-catching wallpapers, Farrow and Ball-esque paint colours and tasteful art work. The overall effect is country chic, the sort of place you might dress up for dinner, but then kick off your heels and curl up in a chair with a hot chocolate (or Baileys) later in the evening.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Extensive gardens, dominated by a towering eucalyptus tree, are a big draw and include a large terrace scattered with outdoor sofas and tables, tree swing, kids area and even pétanque &#8211; this place definitely works for a family escape as well as a romantic getaway, and I intend to return with my kids in tow. Beyond the formal gardens you’ll find chickens, vegetable patches and even a small lake, popular as a backdrop for wedding photos (more of which later). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk-nbsp">PILLOW TALK&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="746" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.18.16.png" alt="Bedroom at Downham Hall in Essex " class="wp-image-17597" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.18.16.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.18.16-800x597.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.18.16-768x573.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There are just five rooms and they’re all dreamy, with countryside views and calming hues. My room overlooked the front garden, neighbouring farm and hilltop church, not a bad vista to wake up to.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I got a peaceful night&#8217;s sleep thanks to the lack of noise pollution, king-sized bed swathed in soft linen and heavy gold curtains which kept light out at the crack of dawn (note to self, must invest in thicker curtains at home). As someone who finds it hard to start the day without caffeine, I appreciated the Nespresso machine and tray of tea-making facilities so I could have a cuppa in bed (and a biscuit to nibble). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="951" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.29.59-951x1000.png" alt="Bedroom at Downham Hall " class="wp-image-17599" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.29.59-951x1000.png 951w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.29.59-761x800.png 761w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.29.59-768x807.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-15.29.59.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 951px) 100vw, 951px" /></figure>



<p>Other rooms include a pretty Garden Suite (often used as the Bridal Suite), with floral wallpaper, spacious bathroom and garden views, but my favourite room sat at the corner of the house and boasted soft blue walls, a chandelier and two large sash windows flooding the room with sunshine. A hobbit-sized door off the landing caught my eye, on investigation it led to a dressing room where brides can get ready and is also used for spa treatments. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff-nbsp">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0004-750x1000.jpg" alt="North Wing Restaurant at Downham Hall " class="wp-image-17603" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0004-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0004-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0004-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0004.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>Downham Hall’s rooms are delightful, but its crowning glory is undoubtedly its North Wing Restaurant. Set in a light-filled Orangery at the rear of the house, my first impression was &#8216;wow&#8217; as I was led to a cosy corner table by fields that looked close enough to touch. Unique wallpaper depicting a country scene of oaks, farmland and deer covers an entire wall and is perfectly in keeping with the setting (apparently it’s Christina&#8217;s pride and joy, and I’m not surprised, it&#8217;s stunning).&nbsp;</p>



<p>As dusk approached, a central chandelier cast a cosy glow over the tables and the ambiance was relaxed elegance as my thoughts turned to food. Menus change almost daily at Downham due to the chef&#8217;s commitment to fresh, seasonal produce. Consequently, the list of dishes on offer is small and mouth-watering. I found it refreshing not to have to wade through pages and pages of food options, far better to have quality rather than quantity as all the best chefs know. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0007-750x1000.jpg" alt="seared tuna on Asian salad at Downham Hall " class="wp-image-17605" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0007-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0007-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0007-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0007.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>I started with Asian-style salad and seared tuna, an attractive-looking dish with a &#8216;slaw packing plenty of punch topped with perfectly cooked slices of fish. Next was a large fillet of flakey sea bream, served with rocket, samphire and new potatoes, which was so fresh and healthy I almost didn&#8217;t eat a side of truffle fries. I said almost.   </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0000.jpg" alt="Sea bream at Downham Hall " class="wp-image-17606" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0000-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/IMG-20240628-WA0000-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The dessert selection&#8217;s short and sweet and included a lemon panna cotta and selection of Brit and French cheeses, crackers and chutney. Unfortunately, I couldn&#8217;t squeeze in anything more after all those potato treats, so settled for a calming mint tea, though I can report that the desserts I saw heading to the tables of other diners looked delectable. </p>



<p>Next morning, I headed down to breakfast also served (7.30-10.30am) in The Orangery and, as I sipped a glass of fresh orange juice and looked out over the fields, I felt like I&#8217;d landed in a little pocket of paradise from another era. Tempting as the full English breakfast sounded, I couldn’t resist the smashed avocado and poached eggs courtesy of the hotel&#8217;s hens, which produced the kind of rich yellow yolk you just know comes from hand-reared chickens. </p>



<p>Don&#8217;t want to make a weekend of it? There&#8217;s always the option to treat yourself to lunch, afternoon tea or Sunday lunch with family and friends. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weddings-amp-events-nbsp">WEDDINGS &amp; EVENTS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Unknown.jpeg" alt="Wedding at Downham Hall " class="wp-image-17601" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Unknown.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Unknown-800x480.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Unknown-768x461.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As you can imagine, weddings are popular at this exclusive-use venue.  If you&#8217;re looking for a larger venue than the main house, there’s a marquee in the grounds available for hire (a peek inside revealed a smart interior with bar, dance floor and round tables), and al fresco ceremonies can cater for up to 110 guests. </p>



<p>The Orangery and a private dining room can also be hired out for events, such as recent birthday celebration &#8211; I could just imagine the doors flung open to allow guests to enjoy a glass of bubbly on the terrace before tucking into a delicious organic feast. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>If you like hidden away places with an in-the-know vibe, you’ll love Downham Hall. It makes an idyllic break in the heart of the Essex countryside, with scenic surroundings and high quality nosh, guaranteed.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>If you want urban cool, best head for the bright lights of the city and bypass the cornfields and chickens.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>The damage:&nbsp;</strong>Rooms from £99pn. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.downhamhall.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downham Hall</a>, Castledon Road,&nbsp;Downham,&nbsp;Essex, CM11 1LG. The hotel&#8217;s next <a href="https://www.downhamhall.com/weddings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wedding open day</a> takes place on 27 July, 2024. </em></p>


Muddy stays: Downham Hall, Essex

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