A 17th century, William & Mary House, set in beautifully landscaped grounds and reached down a mile long avenue of ancient lime trees. Both the hotel and its gourmet restaurant are award winners and the UK's Official Chocolate Master, Mark Tilling, is on staff.
Lainston House Hotel
Sparsholt
Winchester
Hampshire SO21 2LT
England
+44 (0) 1962 776 088
Room and VAT only
This is the place to go for a luxury break. Rooms are traditionally furnished - many with antiques, hand carved or hand painted tester beds and four-posters. The gardens are extensive, lovely and planted to make the most of scented flowers, a fact abundantly clear in the summer. If you can swing it, the suites that over look or open out onto the gardens are especially fragrant.
The restaurant has 3 AA rosettes and is well regarded by visitors and locals. It has a popular, if pricey, six course, gourmant menu on Friday and Saturday.
If you have a sweet tooth, it's worth knowing that Head Pastry Chef Mark Tilling was named the Official British Chocolate Master for 2007 at the Restaurant Live Show at London's Olympia exhibition center. He'll represent Britain in the 2008 World Chocolate Masters event in Paris. Check their website for his occasional Chocolate Master Classes.

