Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/the-falcon-hotel-castle-ashby-northamptonshire.jpeg" alt="The Falcon Castle Ashby Northamptonshire boutique hotel and wellness retreat" class="wp-image-44029" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/EYAS-AT-THE-FLACON-001.jpg" alt="Eyas Restaurant at The Falcon Castle Ashby Northampton" class="wp-image-44190" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://thefalcon-castleashby.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Falcon</a> is a place to escape from the demands of everyday life, where mindfully curated space, food, drink and wellness are on hand to cradle and nurture so you emerge feeling like a shiny new pin from this haven for health and heritage. Reimagined by owners Lord and Lady Northampton back in 2017, this 400 year old coaching inn re-opened its doors in 2021 as a retreat for rest and renewal and is fast becoming the hot ticket for next level dining, whether it&#8217;s a post yoga light bite or a celebration tasting menu. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/THE-FALCON-CA-LBB-006.jpeg" alt="The Falcon Castle Ashby Northampton former coaching inn" class="wp-image-43319" /></figure>



<p>Set in Castle Ashby village at the heart of Northamptonshire, part of the Castle Ashby estate that is the family seat of the 7th Earl of Northampton, Spencer (Spenny) Compton, The Falcon embodies an elevated and super stylish yet welcoming vibe. Fine dining restaurant Eyas, headed up by multi-award winning chef Russell Bateman, offers a sophisticated and cosy atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and evening dining. The interiors throughout The Falcon have been carefully put together by designer Jackie Blakey with the aim of creating a tranquil and relaxing space using natural materials and textures (wood, wool, stone) to reflect the surrounding countryside and allow guests to feel immersed in the comfort of their surroundings. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/falcon-hotel-christmas.jpeg" alt="The Falcon Castle Ashby Northampton christmas tree" class="wp-image-43116" /></figure>



<p>One of the aims here is to offer exceptional quality without stuffiness, so guests are welcome to dine in their finery or show up in yoga gear and, if you really want to go easy on the formality, head to the East Wing Lounge for light meals or afternoon tea. Every little pocket of this place is like a gorgeous cocoon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



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<p>Head Chef Russell Bateman, who was Head Chef under Gordon Ramsey for several years at Pétrus in Knightsbridge, channels his passion for local and seasonal ingredients into every dish (read more about Russell in our recent interview <a href="https://northants.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/whats-cooking-russell-bateman-of-eyas-at-the-falcon-castle-ashby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). This philosophy, revolving around the importance of landscape and our connection to the food we eat, combined with The Falcon&#8217;s emphasis on nutritional health and wellness, has inspired the new <em>à la carte</em> menu at Eyas restaurant. Officially, it launches on 10 Jan 2024, but we&#8217;ve had a sneak preview.</p>



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<p>We started with a glass of Wild Idol&#8217;s alcohol-free sparkling white wine. Of course, you can order alcoholic drinks at The Falcon and there is a fantastically well-stocked bar, make no mistake, but there is every opportunity to enjoy really top level alcohol-free alternatives &#8211; particularly helpful of you&#8217;ve just rounded off an afternoon of yoga and sound-baths and are keeping a level head and staying hydrated. As we sipped, we tucked into some tasty nibbles including Russell&#8217;s homemade Sally Sourdough bread with light-as-a-feather whipped salted butter, salt baked beetroots with cashew nut hummus and dill oil, and puff pastry and parmesan crisps with a yeast emulsion. </p>



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<p>I chose diver caught Orkney scallops to start, served with butternut squash, sage and burnt orange sauce. I&#8217;m kind of obsessed with scallops anyway, but these blew me away, the combination of flavours delightfully unusual and wintry, comfort food taken to the next level. My dinner companion opted for an organic delicia pumpkin soup with almond cream, pumpkin oil and seeds; hearty, warming and health-conscious. Extra brownie points for Mr Muddy. There&#8217;s nothing too heavy on the menu, just great flavours chosen to celebrate high quality ingredients. Even the Castle Ashby Estate venison looked perfectly delicate.</p>



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<p>On to the mains and I chose the Cornish day boat fish, which was a delicate salmon fillet, with fennel choux croute, carrot, tarragon and a deliciously rich matelote sauce, accompanied by delicious seasonal sprouts and glass of Wild Idol&#8217;s sparkling rosé. </p>



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<p>Mr M went for hand cut macaroni with brown shrimp, turnip, walnut and parsley, which was satisfyingly unusual with a slightly sweet flavour, he declared he&#8217;d never tried any dish quite like it. Compliments to the chef.</p>



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<p>Finally, we rounded off the meal with Firetree organic chocolate mousse served with gingerbread chai latte ice cream and crystallized cacao and an apple tart tatin to share, which is made with apples from the Castle Ashby orchard and served with with Tahitian vanilla ice cream.</p>



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<p>Dining at Eyas is all about attention to detail without a hint of anything being too much trouble. There is plenty of choice in terms of plant-based and gluten free options, with each dish being meticulously thought through, and the atmosphere is warm, relaxed and unhurried. We spent a good two or three hours at the table enjoying our food and conversation, but it seemed to whizz by in flash. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/THE-FALCON-CA-LBB-005.jpeg" alt="Room 5 The Falcon Castle Ashby" class="wp-image-43318" /></figure>



<p>The Falcon has 21 rooms in the main building, with separate cottage rooms and suites just adjacent and a range of self-catering cottages for larger groups and families. Each room is individually designed to sit within the Falcon&#8217;s signature style. My room (Room 5) had its own balcony with a bistro table and chairs overlooking the grounds; in the bathroom, a deliciously deep slipper bath with rather divine organic La Eva toiletries and the comfiest king size bed imaginable. A considered collection of wellbeing-related books is a lovely touch too, including the likes of <em>The Secret Code</em> by&nbsp;Priya Hemenway and <em>My Brain Has Too many Tabs Open</em> by Tanya Goodin.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/books-at-the-falcon.jpg" alt="Wellbeing books to read at The Falcon Castle Ashby" class="wp-image-44207" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a newly curated breakfast menu that has moved away from the standard full English and eggs benny fare and towards a more bespoke offering, with dishes including home made gluten free granola with garden fruit compote and chia seed and coconut yoghurt, smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche and dill, vegan sausage with carrot and a course grain mustard glaze, soft scrambled eggs, Portobello mushrooms with a gluten-free herb crumb and Russell&#8217;s trademark Sally Sourdough. One of the things that most appeals is that anyone can visit for breakfast, it&#8217;s not just for hotel guests, so pop in for a morning yoga sesh and then re-fuel in the restaurant for the perfect start to the day. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/EYAS-AT-THE-FALCON-010.jpg" alt="Granola chia seed yoghurt compote breakfast at the falcon castle ashby " class="wp-image-44209" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellness">WELLNESS</h2>



<p>Inner and outer wellbeing really is what The Falcon is all about, whether in terms of the nutritious food, the serene and restorative ambiance or the wonderful range of wellness experiences on offer. Established and accredited Psychotherapist and qualified yoga teacher, Tracy, Lady Northampton alongside Spenny, Lord N (dubbed the Mystic Marquess for his holistic lifestyle), have ensured that wellbeing is at the heart of The Falcon.</p>



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<p>You can take your pick from a variety of classes in the beautiful stone-built wellness studio including Hatha, Hatha Flow, Power Yoga, Restorative Yoga and mat Pilates, as well as sound baths and meditations, nature walks, massage and open water swimming in the Estate&#8217;s private lake, designed by Capability Brown and overlooked by the castle. Taking time to nurture your inner and outer health could not feel more of a well-earned indulgence here. </p>



<p>Insider info: plans are currently underway to convert a former dairy barn into a much larger studio space and wellbeing centre and build on the current offering. Watch this space for more details on what to expect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibilty">ACCESSIBILTY </h2>



<p>The Eyas Restuarant and East Wing Lounge offer accessible dining, whilst there is a specially designed accessible bedroom on the ground floor of the main building, which features plenty of space, a wet room style shower with handrails and supports and storage at a suitable height for maximum convenience. The wellness studio is also accessible and on one level. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>There are a number of dog-friendly bedrooms and the East Wing Lounge offers dog-friendly dining, plus there are plenty of fabulous country walks to enjoy across the castle grounds and wider estate. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/ITALIAN-GARDENS.jpeg" alt="Castle Ashby Gardens" class="wp-image-44214" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Italian Garden at Castle Ashby Gardens</figcaption></figure>



<p>Castle Ashby Gardens are on the doorstep, with an arboretum, orangery, menagerie with meerkats and marmosets, children&#8217;s play area and tea room. Castle Ashby Rural Shopping Yard is well worth a visit, with a delightful café, incredibly well-stocked deli, plus gorgeous gift, interiors and country clothing shops. You may never wish to leave, though should you seek a spot of culture,  the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton is just 8 miles away. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> A deeply relaxing and restorative experience for couples and small groups, The Falcon is perfect for special celebrations or just because. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Larger groups looking for a rowdy night out, look elsewhere. If you&#8217;ve got energetic young children you might want to give the fine dining restaurant a miss, but overall The Falcon is pretty child friendly, with some interconnecting rooms available if you&#8217;re staying overnight.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Much more reasonable than you might expect. Starters from £7, mains from £20 and desserts from £8, with Wild Idol non-alcoholic sparkling wine costing £10 a glass. Rooms start at £112 a night with breakfast for non-guests priced at £30 a head.</p>



<p><strong>Discount klaxon:</strong> from 10 Jan to 29 Feb, The Falcon is offering <strong>20% off</strong> your food bill. Just quote &#8216;<strong>Falcon20</strong>&#8216; when booking or type into the additional requests box. Note: this discount is not applicable on Fridays, Saturdays, and during Valentine&#8217;s weekend (9, 10 &amp; 14 Feb 2024) and applies only to food orders from the à la carte menu in Eyas.</p>



<p><a href="https://thefalcon-castleashby.com/"><em>The Falcon</em></a><em>, Castle Ashby, Northampton, NN7 1LF</em></p>


Review: Eyas at The Falcon, Castle Ashby

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