The Pheasant Hotel

We had our wedding here a week ago and it was the most fabulous day! If you are thinking of getting married here, I would highly recommend it. Nicola, Liam and the team were fabulous from the planning to the day itself. Beautiful venue, food and rooms are stunning. It’s a day we will never forget! Thankyou for making it so so special!

Our first stay at The Pheasant and we weren't disappointed. A lovely room in a fabulous appointed hotel in a quiet village overlooking a duck pond. The room was spotless, well equipped and finished to a high standard. The staff were were very friendly and accommodating. The standard of food was very high, superb Yorkshire breakfast and fantastic tasting menu in the evening. A fantastic hotel to stay in a lovely part of the country.

My rating is for the restaurant, only 2 stars from me. I didn’t stay in the hotel on this occasion. Under new management, it’s become yet another pretentious, micro-portion, Michelin-chasing wannabe. In France, where Michelin started, good restaurants serve generous portions of wholesome food. In the UK, at least in this restaurant, chasing for Michelin status seems to be synonymous with serving up portions of food that requires the customer to bring along a magnifying glass to be able to locate the food on their plate. That said, the spoonful (slight exaggeration) of venison carpaccio starter that was eventually discovered on my plate, melted away in my mouth, leaving a delicious and surprisingly delicate flavours. Why oh why can’t they serve a standard portion size. It was literally smaller than an “amuse bouche” served in France. Next came the main course. I quickly found it due to my increasing confidence in handling a magnifying glass; a speck of lamb sold as a slow cooked lamb. I was expecting a hearty, stomach-filling leg of lamb, but there wasn’t enough meat served to be the equivalent in amount to a spring lamb chop. It was barely the size of a starter. Not only that, it was dry and rather chewy. A speck, the size of my little finger fingernail, of pumpkin purée accompanied it as well as a tiny puddle of sauce. A huge and total disappointment. I didn’t send it back because I was literally stunned and disoriented at what had happened. I complained to the waiter later and he passed on my message to the kitchen. No communication came back from the chef; that’s a sign of arrogance in my book. In contrast the 5 cheese platter was enjoyable, and accompanied by a delicious pickle, a standard portion size not requiring the use of a magnifying glass. Hard to get slices of cheese wrong. The wine list was extensive, but the majority of wines were grossly overpriced, even compared to restaurants which have won a Michelin star. The saving grace were the waiting staff, especially the Irish man who worked very hard and diligently. Others in my group had a better experience, they all chose fish / seafood dishes which they really enjoyed and the portion sizes were a little larger. My rating is for my meal and experience. I last ate at this restaurant ten years ago and was really looking forward to eating here again, but this recent experience under new ownership was a huge disappointment. Two stars from me. I doubt I’ll be returning. I will spend my hard earned, self-employed money, at restaurants that can deliver both delicious AND generous food as well as a being unpretentious.

Stayed for 2 nights. Room very warm but remedied by turning bathroom radiator off. Room was a little tired but very comfortable bed. Noisey fridge but I unplugged it at night as I had no ear plugs. Excellent choice of food for breakfast & dinner. Sandwich I had was a well filled doorstep.

Visited last week for a big birthday the room amazing food fantastic. The team could not do enough for us and service of such a high standard. Thankyou to the lovely lady on reception who encourage me to go for 2 swims which I am now taking up again. Can’t Waite to come back. Regards Helen and Michael You should be proud of such a special place.