The credentials:
Dewsall Court is a 17th century, grade II listed building, tucked away among acres of lush greenery, five miles from Hereford. On arrival, the late afternoon sun gently illuminated the house’s Gothic-style, ivy-clad walls, and the labyrinthine gardens instantly brought to mind Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. With the Black Mountains looming majestically in the distance, the scene was set for what promised to be a magical stay.
The house dates back to 1644, when the Pearle family lived there. It was also the birthplace of the first Duke of Chandos, a wealthy patron of the Arts. When Chandos eventually went bankrupt, he sold Dewsall to Guy’s Hospital, who owned the property for over 300 years.
Today, Dewsall Court is owned by the Robinson family. The property was falling apart when Joe and Jane bought it in 1989, but they lovingly restored it and their children enjoyed an idyllic childhood there. Sadly, Joe died in 2007 but his legacy lives on; the family decided to move out and run Dewsall as an exclusive venue for house parties, celebrations and weddings.
The church at the bottom of the garden is licensed for weddings and the recently refurbished Wainhouse Barn, with its woodburning stove and medieval candle chandeliers, can host up to 140 people for large parties and receptions. There are two kitchens in the main house, one for large-scale catering and a smaller rustic-style one. Guests can choose in-house catering, to self-cater, or a combination of the two.
What makes Dewsall so unique is that it encourages an intimate, homely atmosphere. The idea is to feel as though you’re staying not in a hotel, but in someone’s country home—albeit a rather wonderful one, with original wooden beams, historic art, antique furniture and other quirky touches including Roman busts, ornate ceramics and stuffed animal heads. There is also a large billiards room that houses an impressive collection of archived Punch magazines.
Dine:
The evening kicked off with pre-dinner drinks in the enchanting garden at the front of the house. I was there with a friend for one of Dewsall’s legendary dinner parties; these are held regularly throughout the year and feature leading chefs, who prepare a bespoke four-course menu accompanied by specially selected wines. Our Indian themed meal was put together by TV chef Ravinder Bhogal.
After one of the most delicious cocktails I’ve ever tasted—the Dewsall Martini, a sublime mix of Chase Gin, blackcurrant liqueur and blanc vermouth—we made our way to dinner in the Orangery-style conservatory. The long table was set with white linen tablecloths and candelabras. Some of the 40-odd guests were local, others had travelled from further afield. We didn’t know anyone, but it wasn’t long before we were chatting around the candlelit table like long lost friends. The Robinsons are superb hosts, introducing and looking after everyone and generally being fantastic fun.
Ravinder created an astounding selection of dishes. I started with a soft shell crab pakora in nut and tamarind sauce (there was also a vegetarian aubergine option). This was followed by mussels and vermicelli, in a spicy coconut broth, flavoured with curry leaf, mustard seed and hing (Indian garlic).
Next on the menu was the keema pav, a spicy minced lamb burger in a soft bun, before the meal rounded off with a mouthwatering mango, passion fruit and tapioca trifle, candied orange and fennel Madeleines, coffee and fresh mint tea. After dinner, a few of us headed to the ‘bar’, a small wood-paneled room, for a nightcap.
Sleep:
Ready for bed after our feast, we made our way to the magnificent Dewsall Suite on the first floor. The main bedroom has an enormous ‘emperor’ sized bed, fireplace, antique table and chairs.
I chose the smaller bedroom, which is more compact and overlooks one of the gardens. This too has a sizeable—and, as I was about to discover—extremely comfortable bed. In the bathroom there was a standing bath and toiletries by Aromatherapy Associates.
There are ten bedrooms and suites in all. These can accommodate up to 24 people, but smaller groups are equally welcome. All the rooms are very different, with names inspired by their interiors, such as ‘The Four Poster’, ‘The Mahogany Suite’, ‘The Tapestry’, ‘The Damask’ and ‘The Chateau’. There are also two suites—‘The Skirrid’ and ‘The Haybluff’—named after the Black Mountain peaks visible in the distance.
Who goes there?
Dewsall Court is a popular destination for professional, family-friendly Londoners, particularly from the Notting Hill and Shoreditch areas. But visitors also come to stay from places as far-flung as the States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and even Uruguay, among others. The property lends itself to almost any kind of celebration or special event—weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, family get-togethers, or simply for groups of friends who want to chill out, enjoy good food and relax.
The house also has its fair share of celebrity regulars, being a firm favourite with actresses Sarah Parish and Rosamund Pike. Other luminaries who have stayed there include David Bailey, Mark Strong and Lily Allen, and songstress Ellie Goulding threw her last New Year’s Eve party at Dewsall.
Out & about:
Dewsall Court is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area. Situated in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside, there are endless opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, fishing, canoeing and exploring the local market towns.
The historic city of Hereford is only five miles away; other places worth a visit include Ludlow, with its castle and medieval and Georgian architecture, and the old market town of Ledbury. Ross on Wye and Goodrich Castle are also only a short drive away. Or you can take a trip to the Malvern Hills, famous for their mineral water and outstanding natural beauty.
The worst thing:
Having to draw the curtains in the smaller Dewsall Suite bedroom every time I wanted to change. The room is encircled by windows and while the views onto the gardens were beautiful, there was always the slight fear that passing guests below could look up and see me semi-dressed. I would also have preferred the glass-paned bathroom door to be more opaque.
The best thing:
Going for an early morning walk through the sun-dappled gardens, breathing in the fresh country air and feeling calm and relaxed. Lingering over breakfast in the conservatory and enjoying home-made bread, organic eggs and local herb sausages was another highlight. If only I could have stayed for another few days!
