Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">What? Where?</h2>



<p>What started life as a Manor House,&nbsp;built by the Earl of Warwick as a hunting lodge in the 13th century is now&nbsp;<a href="https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/newhall">New Hall Hotel &amp; Spa</a>, in the centre of pretty Sutton Coldfield. The 800-year-old medieval building is England’s oldest listed inhabited moated house with stunning historical features set in 26 acres of luscious gardens.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-296-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-296-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-296-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-296-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">The Vibe</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for the full fairytale experience then call off the search, you can&#8217;t find more Disney-esque than this gorgeous historic building complete with towers, mullioned windows and its own drawbridge.&nbsp;It&#8217;s romantic, dripping in history and feels away from it all while having great links to Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. </p>



<p>In the beautiful, manicured gardens you&#8217;ll fine New Hall Spa, complete with treatment rooms, swimming and spa pools, sauna, steam rooms and gym. For outdoorsy types there’s the tennis courts and pitch and putt.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-307-1.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel spa" class="wp-image-57093" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-307-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-307-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-307-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s the magnificent oak-clad Bridge 2AA Rosette restaurant giving Tudor vibes with low-hung chandeliers and dark leather chairs and serving up regional and seasonal dishes along with afternoon teas.&nbsp;For a slightly more laid back bite to eat (where you can take the pooch too) then check out&nbsp;The Terrace Bar &amp; Lounge&nbsp;with gorgeous views over the grounds.&nbsp;If you’re feeling a bit extra there’s rooms for private dining and parties too in rooms such as the Great Chamber.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-572.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-572.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-572-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-572-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bridge Restaurant</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">Scoff &amp; Quaff</h2>



<p>Waiters are hugely knowledgeable when it comes to the food and the wine, and were quick to recommend us a bottle of rose from the hotel&#8217;s Tuscan vineyard <em>Villa Saletta</em>. </p>



<p>We tucked into a light bite of pastries with whipped goats cheese, before enjoying some deliciously soft homemade red pesto bread with homemade butters. </p>



<p>To start I went with Scottish scallops, perfectly cooked with boudin noir (black pud to you and me!), apple and radish. Mr Muddy went with the smoked duck breast with fresh figs, prosciutto and Grand Padano dressing which was equally as delicious.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-324-2.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel scallops" class="wp-image-57094" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-324-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-324-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-324-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The menu is small but with something for everyone, from curries to pan-fried bass. We both went for the fillet steak, but there&#8217;s chateaubriand too and a mushroom &#8216;rib eye&#8217; as a vegan option. They were cooked just how we ordered, and served with a creamy yet sharp peppercorn sauce with crispy triple-cooked chips, stuffed beef tomato with mushroom duxelles, crispy onions and watercress. On a pretty bleak night in May (what is going on with this weather!) it was just what we wanted. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-315-2.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel fillet steak" class="wp-image-57096" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-315-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-315-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-315-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We were both stuffed (especially Mr Muddy who tucked into a second portion of bread with his starter!) but after a little break ordered a cheese board and pud to share &#8211; would be rude not to, no? The cheese board was huge, and brimming with cheddar, brie, blue stilton, Red Leicester, Wensleydale and everything from fruit crackers to quince jelly and some delicious chutneys. The lemon tart we also shared was a refreshing option, with lemon meringue ice cream and plenty of fresh fruit to cut through the feast we had just enjoyed. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-329-1.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel dessert" class="wp-image-57097" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-329-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-329-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-329-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">Stay</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s 60 bedrooms from luxury suites to rooms which formerly belonged to the lord and lady of the manor. Think four-poster beds, designer sofas and even dog-friendly rooms if you’re taking the pooch too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-614.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel bedroom" class="wp-image-56814" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-614.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-614-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-614-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Views over the gardens are peaceful and you can sleep with the window wide open and wake to birdsong. We slept in the &#8216;Dawn&#8217; suite, stuffed to the brim with period features and a whopping bed which promised and delivered on a refreshing night&#8217;s sleep. There were two armchairs perfect for enjoying a glass of something cold from the fridge before dinner, and a large bath and fluffy robes for relaxing at the end of the night or for lazy mornings.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-602.jpg" alt="New Hall Hotel bathroom" class="wp-image-56815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-602.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-602-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/Untitled-design-602-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">Dog friendly</h2>



<p>It’s super dog friendly – and your pooch is going to love it here. There’s dog-friendly rooms with easy access outside to expansive lawns or courtyards, so walkies are just on your doorstep. There’s lounges and terraces where dogs are allowed too so you don’t even have to leave them in the room while you enjoy dinner and drinks. It’s £20 per dog per day, and £10 per second dog per day for the first three days of your stay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">Accessibility</h2>



<p>There’s accessible parking areas, and the building is wheelchair friendly. One bedroom is accessible and pretty much your whole stay can be tailored in advance by speaking to the team.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">Out &amp; About</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/09/Untitled-design-2186.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/09/Untitled-design-2186.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/09/Untitled-design-2186-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/09/Untitled-design-2186-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/09/Untitled-design-2186-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council</figcaption></figure>



<p>First of all you need to check out <a href="https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/9136/new_hall_valley_country_park">New Hall Valley Country Park</a>, just next door with 200 acres to explore. For more walks visit Sutton Park, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/405/sutton_park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Nature Reserve</a>&nbsp;boasting not one, but two children’s playgrounds, as well as a donkey sanctuary, sailing and canoe clubs, fishing, and refreshments. Also nearby is&nbsp;<a href="https://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/kingsburywaterpark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingsbury Water Park</a>, which is made up of a whopping 15 lakes over 600 acres. Head there for excellent dog walks, as well as sailing, jet bikes, horse riding, a miniature railway, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broomeycroftfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broomey Croft Children’s Farm</a>. There are also more golf courses nearby than you can shake an argyle vest at: try&nbsp;<a href="http://www.boldmeregolfclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boldmere Golf Club</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.littleastongolf.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Aston Golf Club</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.astonwoodgolfclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Wood Golf Club</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leamarstonhotel.co.uk/golf/marston-lakes-golf-course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marston Lakes Golf Course</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Good news for parents (or bad, depending on your predisposition for rollercoasters): theme park&nbsp;<a href="https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/">Drayton Manor</a>&nbsp;is just a 20-minute drive away, which means you’re a hop and a jump from over a hundred rides and attractions including a Vikings Area, Adventure Cove and Europe’s only Thomas Land – as well as a 15-acre zoo.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-331-1.jpg" alt="Drayton Manor" class="wp-image-57098" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-331-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-331-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-331-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">The Muddy Verdict</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> It&#8217;s super romantic so perfect for a break away with your other half, but equally great for dog-owners, families and groups of friends.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>If you want heaps to do without having to use the car then this probably isn&#8217;t the place, but for some serious R&#8217;n&#8217;R with everything you need on site then you&#8217;ve found the spot. </p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Rooms start from around £200 a night.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/newhall">New Hall Hotel &amp; Spa</a>, Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B76 1QX. Tel: 0121 3782442</em></strong></p>


Review: New Hall Hotel & Spa, Sutton Coldfield

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