Restaurant with Rooms Wilton Lane, Ross-on-Wye, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Elizabethan-era
property with plenty of period touches
Particularly
picturesque setting overlooking River Wye
Within walking
distance of Ross-on-Wye market town
Quaint rooms with historic features and electric kettles
Excellent
traditional English breakfast included
Lovely restaurant with fine dining menus
from local market produce
Cozy library with couches and book-lined shelves
Flat-screen TVs
with DVD players and movie library
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Wi-Fi can be
patchy
Few local public
transport links
Room decor might not be to everyone's taste
No spa or health facilities
The 11-room Wilton Court
Hotel is an upscale, wonderfully quaint property dating back to the 16th century that has a
particularly picturesque and peaceful riverfront setting. This secluded country
retreat is walkable from historic Ross-on-Wye market town and within driving
distance of some beautiful Herefordshire countryside. While rooms might be a
little whimsical or print-filled for some tastes, they're well-presented and inviting with some fine original features including fireplaces. All rooms have electric kettles and small flat-screen TVs; some have river views. Dining in the bright, lovely restaurant is certainly a highlight -- especially the traditional English
breakfasts -- though there's little else on-site. The nearby Orles Barn is less expensive, but for a reason, as it lacks the lovely river views found here and is showing some wear.
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Scene
Charming, upscale 16th-century property with idyllic riverside setting
With its quaint
red stone facade adorned with sculpted shrubbery, creeping foliage, and washes
of colorful flowers, there is something instantly attractive about the four-pearl Wilton
Court Hotel. Once the magistrates court and dating back to 1510, this
Elizabethan-era property exudes plenty of historical charm with pretty
mullioned windows, medieval-looking wooden doors, and ancient timber beams --
as well as numerous curios from the Far East. Having worked in some of the
world's finest hotels, owners Helen and Roger bring an expert level of service
and hospitality while the property's peaceful riverfront setting -- complete
with passing swans and the occasional otter -- provides the finishing touch of
a particularly idyllic scene. While the hotel does host the odd corporate booking,
guests are mainly touring and weekending couples, as well as birdwatchers and amateur painters drawn by the wildlife and
attractive surrounds.
Location
Set in small Herefordshire village 15 minutes' walk from Ross-on-Wye
The hotel is
located down a tiny road in the small Herefordshire village of Wilton
overlooking the River Wye. The surrounds are particular serene and picturesque
while a 15-minute walk across a stone bridge takes visitors to the attractive market
town of Ross-on-Wye -- considered the birthplace of the British tourist
industry. There's also plenty of pretty countryside to explore by car such as
the Malvern Hills and Brecon Beacons National Park (both around an hour's drive),
while easy access to the A40 highway means easy road links throughout the area.
Public transport links, however, are limited to nonexistent.
Rooms
Quaint rooms with large beds and period touches; some have river views
The hotel has
just 11 traditionally styled rooms with plenty of
floral-patterned fabrics and wallpaper (William Morris or Sanderson design). The decor is complemented by original period features such as beamed ceiling and original
fireplaces (not available in every room; the one we saw in the River View Super King Room had an electric insert in the original hearth). Most of the rooms have king-size beds and all provide
pretty views over the gardens or river. Amenities include free (though patchy)
Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players -- free
movie loans are available from the library. Clean and fairly modern bathrooms provide heated towel rails and
Gilchrist & Soames toiletries while waffle-towel kimono-style robes and
extra fluffy towels are also provided.
Features
Excellent traditional English breakfast, alfresco terrace, fine dining, and cozy library
There's a real focus on dining at the Wilton
Court Hotel, which describes itself as a "restaurant with rooms." The bright and fresh Mulberry Restaurant serves a hearty breakfast with options such as a cooked full English, kippers, and porridge; it's included in
the rate and can be enjoyed overlooking the garden. A weekly changing market
menu of British cooking is also available for lunch and dinner as well as
traditional Sunday lunches in the lovely space with flower-topped tables. There's also a pleasant bar -- though not as snug
as it might be -- as well as plenty of outside seating for alfresco drinking
and nibbles. A cozy library provides couches, book-lined shelves, and DVDs to borrow and bring back to your room. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but can be patchy at times.
