Having spent the first half of our Barnsley village staycation in The Village Pub (which you can read about here), we were excited to pop across the road to Barnsley House for the remainder of our trip. This magnificent 17th-century country manor is one of the most beautiful buildings of its type that I have ever visited. It really doesn't have a bad side - it sits proudly atop a gentle incline that overlooks the lawn and sweeping driveway to the front, while the equally attractive rear of the building opens out onto the beautiful gardens created by the revered garden designer (and former owner) Rosemary Verey.
As the gardens are the main attraction at Barnsley House, it seemed only right to choose The Rosemary Verey Suite for our stay. Following a very friendly welcome at reception, we were led through the main garden and down a narrow path to a wooden door that opened into our own private courtyard. The suite is spectacular! Standout features include the ornate, garden-inspired four poster bed in the bedroom, the large free standing bath tub in the spacious ensuite and the elegant sitting room that sits in between. However, the most stunning feature of all is the suite's conservatory, boasting an impressive array of plants and complete with its very own grotto! I highly recommend ordering breakfast to your room and enjoying it in the conservatory as the soft morning light floods in through the glass ceiling.
Speaking of food, you must not miss out on dinner in The Potager restaurant. As you would expect, fresh local ingredients and produce are the main focus, and in fact many are picked the very same day from the Barnsley House kitchen garden. The food was absolutely delicious, the service impeccable and (just like our experience in The Village Pub) we were particularly impressed with the selection of wines. I can usually give or take dessert (if I indulge it's normally to steal a taste from the fiancé - his pet peeve!) but with so many enticing options on the menu, I succumbed and ordered one for myself. This turned out to be an excellent decision and we ended up sharing two very delicious desserts before rolling ourselves back to our room.
I think it would be fair to say that Spring and Summer are the best seasons to visit Barnsley House when the gardens (which are a significant part of the attraction) are in full bloom. Not that I am any sort of horticulturist but even I could appreciate that these gardens are something special. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly and I think I will let the pictures do the talking, but what I can say is that I have never seen quite as much bird, butterfly and bumble bee activity in a garden as I did here. The gardens at Barnsley House felt truly alive in a way that I hadn't experienced before. There are a small number of tables with large umbrellas dotted about the lawn where you enjoy the garden scenes and scents over a drink or a bite to eat. If you are looking for something a little more private, there is the most beautiful little Tuscan temple overlooking a pond that is perfect for a romantic dinner à deux!
Operating a no-young-children policy, Barnsley House is a peaceful haven for couples to relax and unwind. During the day most guests can be found exploring the gardens or lounging in the hotel's outdoor spa, while in the evenings many can be found either enjoying a drink in the bar or in their pj's collecting blankets and DVDs from reception for a private movie night in the hotel's cinema. It is the perfect romantic getaway and one we definitely plan to repeat in the future!
No parting landscape shot from the fiancé this time around, but this wonderful shot that he took of Barnsley House at dusk is one of my favourites from our trip.
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