Having spent far too long at home recently, we’re dreaming of a simple night away, where we can indulge in good food and feel truly cosseted. And we’ve found just the place – as soon as restrictions allow. This month sees the planned opening of the latest inn in Sam and Georgie Pearman’s Country Creatures collection, The Double Red Duke. An Arts and Crafts lover’s dream, the 17th century wisteria-clad, Cotswold-stone coaching inn is located east of Oxford and only minutes from Kelmscott, the village where William Morris lived.
Food is at the heart of the Country Creatures concept, and the menu here will be overseen by Richard Turner, who trained under the Roux brothers, Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White. Having made a name for himself at Hawksmoor and Pitt Cue, Richard’s menu will centre around cooking over fire, with an open grill in the centre of the kitchen. Befitting the homely setting, guests can opt to eat wherever they choose – be that fireside in the snug, with family and friends in the feasting room, or in the bar with a bottle of something good. And for those who love theatre with their food, a 14-seater kitchen counter will allow guests to watch the chefs cooking.
After dinner, they need only slink upstairs to one of the 19 comfortable bedrooms that have been designed in Georgie’s signature style, featuring bespoke pieces created by British craftsmen mixed with carefully sourced antiques. Sounds heavenly.
Room rates from £120 (countrycreatures.com)
