The Tawny, Staffordshire - hotel review

Cosy shepherd’s huts and lakeside cabins provide a front row seat for the spectacular Consall Hall Estate gardens
The Tawny

New for summer 2021, The Tawny is billed as a ‘deconstructed hotel’. In reality, this means secluded cabins and picturesque waterfront retreats dotted throughout acres of secret gardens and nature-filled woodlands with all the mod-cons of a big hotel - heated outdoor pool, fine dining restaurant and spa treatments.

Where is it?

In the Staffordshire countryside, twenty minutes outside Stoke-On-Trent, on the Consall Hall Estate. The ‘deconstructed hotel’ is set in 70 acres of exquisite wild gardens, woodland and lakes. Five miles of paths wind through the grounds with hidden follies and fells for hours of solitary exploration (we didn’t see anyone else on our afternoon walk).

A three-hour drive from London makes this easy for a long weekend. Nearby you’ll find Alton Towers, world class British ceramics from Emma Bridgewater, Wedgwood and Burleigh and the endless wonders of the Peak District, including Chatsworth House, are a 45-minute drive away.

James Andrew Photography

Style

The aim here is to provide guests with a front row seat from which to gawp at the beautiful gardens. Fifty-five shepherds huts, treehouses, boathouses, and retreats are dotted throughout the grounds (some are still undergoing construction).

Huts and treehouses feel secluded and hidden under canopies of trees, while the boathouses are lakeside with floor-to-ceiling windows for nature-spotting (you’ll find geese, tufted ducks, moorhens). Interiors are Scandi and cosy with standalone baths and globe-lit outdoor jacuzzi tubs, which are a real treat.

The main building, which one might expect to be a great country manor house, is a striking glass-fronted masterpiece by local firm ctd architects, designed to look like a tawny owl’s eyes. Breakfast, lunch and dinners are enjoyed here at the Plumicorn restaurant - or on the terrace. Again, the centre piece is the view but interiors are funky with tropical-print chairs, vertical garden walls and low hanging globe lights.

Spa treatments take place in a thatched cottage
James Andrew Photography

Extracurricular

The picturesque pool is heated year-round (again with those views), but could benefit from having more sun loungers and a changing room.

A small selection of spa treatments are offered in the on-site thatched cottage, and there are plans to extend the hotel’s wellness offering.

Yoga mats are provided in all rooms and there will be complimentary recycled bikes for guests to use later in the year.

Which room?

Even the smallest shepherd’s huts are spacious with private outdoor decking, a jacuzzi, standalone bath, separate living area with widescreen TV and log burner, plus an en suite. Skylights above the bed are designed for stargazing. Perfect for couples.

Families should opt for one of the waterfront boathouses, some of which sleep four and have standalone tubs, an outside spa bath and shower.

The minibar is complimentary and restocked daily - a rare and extremely welcome touch. All types of accommodation have king-sized beds, bathrobes and slippers, a television and coffee machine.

Boathouse cabin
The Tawny

Food & drink

Dinner at the Plumicorn restaurant comes with five-star prices but we experienced a few teething problems with slow service (the hotel has only been open for a few weeks). Starters of Staffordshire heritage beetroot with Staffordshire goat’s cheese mousse were fresh and zingy, while my guest ordered the Yellowfin tuna tartare twice in a row. The menu is light on vegetarian options (just the one while we were there), but carnivores will be satiated with butter soft local Dunwood Farm beef fillet and lamb as well as Packington pork belly.

Lunch - best had in the sunshine on the terrace with a chilled bottle of rose and that view - was relaxed with tapas sharing plates and stone-baked pizzas.

Breakfast is part continental buffet, part a la carte and included for all guests.

Plumicorn restaurant
The Tawny

Best for...

Couples after a nature fix with frills and active families who will make good use of the heated pool and magical gardens.

Details

A one-night stay at The Tawny starts from £230 in the Wildwood Huts, £360 in the Lookout, £400 in the Boathouses, £420 in the Treehouses based on two sharing and inclusive of bed and breakfast; thetawny.co.uk

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