Admittedly, the sun is shining. Spring lambs are scampering about and we’re aware that others have loved Callow Hall. But a gilded popularity doesn’t at all times help. Heightened expectations could be dangerous. But not here.
Callow Hall, on the sting of the Peak District in Derbyshire, is a trendy but not stylised hotel where everyone can feel welcome. All-inclusive within the strict sense; bang on trend from an interiors perspective (Penny Morrison fabrics, Robert Kime wallpaper, Fermoie lampshades) and firing on all its latest (it opened last yr) cylinders.
The home dates back to the 1850s (and the cedar tree near the front door is 800 years old).
Callow Hall (pictured), on the sting of the Peak District in Derbyshire, is a trendy but not stylised hotel where everyone can feel welcome, the Inspector writes
The room above, arrange for personal dining, encompasses a mural of the countryside depicted in 18th century style
The 15 rooms on the hotel are available in three categories: Fabulous, lovely and cosy (pictured). The Inspector stays in a ‘cosy’ room and describes it as ‘fabulous and wonderful in its teeny-weeny way’
It’s now the primary project of an organization called Wildhive, run by a few public schoolboys who managed to boost some £7 million to rework not only the Grade II-listed house but additionally the encompassing woodland, where you may stay in treehouses and ‘hives’ built on stilts. Halfway down the drive is the Coach House, which is now the spa.
There’s yoga, a gym, map room and you may hire bikes (some electric) to explore the Peak District National park.
The 15 rooms are available in three categories: Fabulous, lovely and cosy. I can’t speak for ‘fabulous’ or ‘lovely’, but our cosy is each fabulous and wonderful in its teeny-weeny way.
The Inspector writes: ‘The massive reveal is the glass box housing the restaurant and bar (pictured)’
The restaurant and bar, the Inspector says, ‘is a superb space broken up by 4 huge olive trees – they’re fake, but you’ll never know’
‘To wander around the bottom floor before dinner, accompanied by a big Negroni, is a joy,’ says the Inspector. Above is considered one of the hotel’s communal areas
Callow Hall is the primary project of an organization called Wildhive, run by two public schoolboys who raised £7 million to rework the Grade II-listed house and the encompassing woodland. Pictured is a ‘fabulous’ room
It has red ticking wallpaper, Chelsea textiles bedside tables, supremely comfortable duvet and pillows, natty little shower room and a view of the cedar tree.
To wander around the bottom floor before dinner, accompanied by a big Negroni, is a joy.
One room, arrange for personal dining, encompasses a mural of the countryside depicted in 18th century style; one other serves because the library, where a family has gathered for drinks.
You’ll be able to stay in treehouses and ‘hives’ (reminiscent of the one pictured) built on stilts in the woodland that surrounds Callow Hall
The hotel encompasses a gym, map room and you may hire bikes (some electric) to explore the Peak District National park. Pictured here’s a room in considered one of the woodland ‘hives’
‘Callow Hall has had rave reviews. They’re justified on all fronts,’ the Inspector declares
This mesmerising picture shows the woodland treehouses and the rolling countryside beyond them
‘Everyone behaving themselves?’ I ask in a sergeant-major form of way.
‘Yes, and that’s the issue,’ barks back the oldest member of the group, well into his 70s.
The massive reveal is the glass box housing the restaurant and bar. It’s a superb space broken up by 4 huge olive trees. They’re fake, but you’ll never know.
We flit between the Better of April and a la carte menu. All the things is delicious and we like how some Greek and Portuguese wines are sold by the glass. Callow Hall has had rave reviews. They’re justified on all fronts.
TRAVEL FACTS
Callow Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2AA.
Doubles are priced from £159, room only. For more information call 01335 300900 or visit wildhive.uk.
Rating: 
