Coming from a family that always love a hearty meal, we decided to head to The Grove Hotel for lunch for Mum’s birthday.
The Grove was the former home of the Earl of Clarendon and is set in an impressive 300 acres of country estate. The 18th century mansion mixes contemporary interior design against the original periodic architecture.
As it was such a sunny day we decided to go for the lunch buffet located in the glasshouse, which overlooks the grounds full of flowers, water features and sculptures.
After being shown to our seats we were told about all the possible choices to eat.
We started with a mixture of fresh fishy delights; sushi, mussels, prawns, seafood and salad.
Whenever my family are all together we can’t help but break into tales of embarrassing stories until we are dying of laughter at each other. That’s what families are for right? And it served as a great break from courses.
Next up we dived into a gigantic portion of roast dinner with both beef and lamb. And a Yorkshire pudding practically the same size as my head!
I headed over to the Asian station, where you select fresh ingredients of your choice and the chef throws them into a piping hot wok and cooks the sizzling dish right in front of you. I tried a prawn stir fried dish and a small helping of rich Thai red lamb curry.
Next up Lauren dragged me kicking and screaming over to the display of puddings. In an attempt not to disappoint my sweet toothed sister we piled our plates with almost every dish we could squeeze on.
The treats were cheesecake, peach tart, bread and butter pudding, apple crumble, apple slice, chocolate roll all smothered with a huge dollop of cream.
Lastly but not least we enjoyed cheese, crackers and coffees.
We relaxed in our seats some of us greedier ones barely able to move. The staff happily left us to recover and brought mum a mini little birthday treat.
In agreement that the grounds had to be explored we went on a stroll. We admired the various sculptures and perfectly trimmed surroundings.
The formal garden surrounds the entire country estate, with a walled garden at the north section of the property.
Naturally we messed about and tried to push Lauren in the pond.
Throughout the 300 acres of the property various sculptures and unusual installations form an eclectic mix of art.
Dotted across the gardens sculptures of pears, apples and walnuts can be found by Gregory Ryan.
The landscape elements play on the original 18th and 19th century symmetrical layouts.
The Grade II listed mansion was refurbished and a new extension was built. The chic contemporary interior design was by Fox Linton Associates. The space is cocooned in moody opulent velvet upholstered seating with blue murano glass chandeliers dangling from above and delicate drapes hanging.
There are some fascinating sculptures by Nathalie Decoster, with a contrasting approach between tiny and giant figures merged into one. I wouldn’t say no to those legs.
A perfect celebration for Mum’s birthday we headed home hyped on sugar.
