Maison Talbooth

A Victorian country house blessed with a superb position overlooking the Stour river valley and the medieval church of Stratford St Mary, Maison Talbooth is the hotel arm of the renowned Le Talbooth restaurant, which lies just a short distance along the riverbank. The hotel is a charmer, with ten spacious and appealing bedrooms decorated with a real eye for colour and thoughtful touches that emphasise the Milsom family's dedication to guests' comfort. A courtesy car is on hand to whisk guests between the hotel and restaurant at lunch and dinner; breakfast and light meals are available at the hotel. Le Talbooth itself occupies a delightful 16th-century timber-frame house with a riverside terrace that is transformed into a glorious outdoor dining room in summer. A gourmet pilgrimage of note, Le Talbooth's other claim to fame is that the building is featured in John Constable's famous painting of Dedham Vale. There is another artistic connection at Sudbury, where the great portraitist Gainsborough's family home can be visited - and it's conveniently close to the old wool towns and antiques centres of Lavenham and Long Melford. For special occasions the hotel is also available for exclusive-use house parties.