Eckington Manor

Eckington Manor, nestled in the picturesque Worcestershire countryside near Pershore, stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property offering a luxurious and memorable escape. This 5-star Gold Award establishment, housed within beautifully converted farm buildings, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional culinary offerings, attentive service, and charming blend of historic character with contemporary design.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Eckington Manor is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fabulous" and "exceptional." It boasts a high overall rating, with review scores often reaching 8.9 out of 10, including excellent ratings for cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.5), and staff (9.6). Many reviewers express a strong desire to return, highlighting it as a truly unique experience and a "home away from home."

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Eckington Manor:

• Exceptional Food: The dining experience is a major draw, with many guests equating it to Michelin-star level cuisine, praising the "outstanding" food quality and farm-to-table ethos.
• Personalised Service: The staff are frequently commended for being friendly, helpful, accommodating, and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• Beautiful Design & Ambiance: The property successfully blends charming old features, such as 12th-century beams, with modern, luxurious design. Guests appreciate the spotless cleanliness and tasteful decoration throughout the grounds, restaurant, and rooms.
• Cookery School: The on-site state-of-the-art cookery school is a significant amenity, offering various courses and enhancing the foodie appeal of the manor.
• Rural Setting: Located in the Vale of Evesham within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the tranquil farmland setting is highly valued for its walks and views.

Room Quality

The 16 individually designed bedrooms are spread across four converted farm buildings: Lower End House, The Cyder Mill, The Grain Barn, and The Milking Parlour. Rooms are noted for their comfort, cleanliness, and stylish decor. Features often include:

• Luxurious Touches: Super king-size beds with Egyptian cotton, Siberian goose-down pillows, and White Company toiletries.
• Unique Design: Rooms feature a tasteful mix of refurbished antiques, designer furniture, and fabrics from brands like Mulberry, Designers Guild, and Andrew Martin. Some rooms boast original beamed, sloping ceilings, vaulted ceilings, and even silk wallpaper.
• Amenities: Flatscreen TVs, free bottled water, and tea/coffee making facilities are standard. Many rooms also include modern en-suite shower rooms, some with "Fired Earth" features, or freestanding roll-top baths. Junior Suites offer additional living space with sofas and even mini home cinemas and wood-burning stoves for chilly evenings.

Dining Experience

Food is central to the Eckington Manor experience, with a strong "farm-to-table" ethos utilizing local and home-grown produce, including meat from their own farm. Head Chefs Mark and Sue Stinchcombe are celebrated for their high-quality modern British cuisine, balanced with quirky presentation and generous portions.

• Dinner: The restaurant is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday evenings, offering diverse and imaginative à la carte menus. Dishes are often described as exceptional, with mentions of highlights like rib-eye steaks, Stilton soufflé, and a rhubarb soufflé with gingerbread ice cream.
• Breakfast: Guests consistently praise the "excellent" and "amazing" breakfasts, which include cooked-to-order options like a full English, homemade muesli, bread, preserves, marmalade, apple juice, and award-winning sausages.
• Other Dining: Afternoon tea is available Wednesday to Sunday, and picnic hampers can be arranged. There is also a communal dining room described as warm and homely.

Service & Staff

The service at Eckington Manor is frequently highlighted as a standout feature. Guests consistently report a "fantastic welcome" and describe the staff as "very friendly and helpful," "polite," "accommodating," and "attentive." Many feel the staff are "handpicked for their charm, efficiency and ability to relate to guests' needs." The team, including individuals like Tracy and Jackie, are often given 10/10 ratings.

Location & Accessibility

Eckington Manor is situated in a tranquil part of Worcestershire, specifically the Vale of Evesham, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Surroundings: The manor is set on a working farm, surrounded by rolling fields and is an ideal base for walks in the nearby Bredon or Malvern Hills. The local area is known for arable farming, particularly pears and plums.
• Nearby Attractions: The Georgian market town of Pershore, with its abbey, shops, and theatre, is 4.5 miles away. Cheltenham Spa and Worcester are both approximately 25 minutes away by car, while Cheltenham Racecourse is a 20-minute drive.
• Transport: The hotel is easily accessible by car, located a short distance from the M5 motorway (junction 7 or 9). Pershore train station offers a direct service from London Paddington (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes). Free on-site parking is available.
• Accessibility: Eckington Manor demonstrates a strong focus on accessibility, offering designated accessible parking spaces and a ground floor bedroom specifically designed for guests with mobility impairments, featuring level access. The restaurant, located on the first floor of the converted Dutch Barn, is accessible via a portable ramp and platform lift.

Value & Pricing

Eckington Manor is considered a luxury accommodation. Prices can start from approximately £230 per night. Guests generally perceive it as offering good value for money, scoring 8.5/10 for value. Package deals, such as the "Pure Indulgence Break," often include complimentary drinks, dinner credits, breakfast, and a foodie gift, enhancing the perceived value.

Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, one recurring minor issue noted by guests is the Wi-Fi quality in the bedrooms, which some found to be poor and not ideal for business travel.

Sources

1. eckingtonmanor.co.uk
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5. abouttimemagazine.co.uk
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11. eckingtonmanor.co.uk
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14. eckingtonmanor.co.uk