Talbooth House & Spa

The Talbooth House & Spa is an agreeable country house in 'Constable Country'', overlooking a lovely rolling green landscape punctured by spires and red roofs. Just outside the lovely village of Dedham, it's an all oh-so English and very definitely on the intimate, boutique side of things, with just 12 gorgeously styled guest rooms, each deliberately different and named after a renowned poet. in all, and including 2 suites with private terraces, 5 deluxe rooms (2 of which have private terraces) and 4 superior rooms and 6 dog friendly bedrooms. Shakespeare and Keats are the main suites (his-and-hers sunken bath in Shakespeare, separate bunk-and-gaming room for the kids in Keats), while the other mix of superior and deluxe rooms come in various styles and sizes – Masefield probably the largest, with its own private terrace. All come with excellent beds, and with bathrooms supplied out with Elemis toiletries, and a range of other goodies and expected services such as complimentary soft drinks and snacks, satellite HD TVs and free wifi.

There's a deliberately homely vibe throughout, with an informal flagstoned reception area and a lounge that leads through to a Garden Room and outdoor terrace looking out over manicured lawns and gardens. Beyond here, things get nice and chilled – maybe some tennis or a plunge in the outdoor heated pool (usable in winter too) and hot tub, or down time in the pool house with its satellite TV, honesty bar, robes and open fire. When the time comes for dinner, their nearby fine dining restaurant, Le Talbooth is just two minutes away, and has a lovely location by the River Stour and a fab terrace to enjoy it from during summer. Otherwise, it's breakfast, lunch and dinner at the excellent all-day restaurant of their nearby sister hotel, Milsoms.

Talbooth Spa specialises in an array of spa treatments and therapies, and offers brilliant spa packages too, such as whole day, half day or after-hours. The complex appears to have a micro climate of its own, so feel free to use the pool, indulge and relax on the sun loungers any month of the year.

Finally it's worth knowing that you can rent the entire hotel for a night or two if you so desire. It makes a great place for a celebratory house party or big family get-together, and you don't just get exclusive use of the house and its 12 bedrooms but all the facilities too, plus drinks in the lounge and breakfast and dinner so you don't have to worry about the washing-up! Or, if you want a self-catered waterside cottage a short distance from luxury hotel facilities, check out their Idle Waters cottage.