Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Woodborough-Hall-front.jpg" alt="Woodborough Hall front exterior" class="wp-image-4557" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Woodborough-Hall-front.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Woodborough-Hall-front-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Woodborough-Hall-front-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Woodborough-Hall-front-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s been over a year since I first dined at <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/woodborough-hall-woodborough/">Woodborough Hall</a>, soon after it re-opened following a gorgeous glow-up under an enthusiastic new management team. It’s been a busy year for them with five fabulous revamped bedrooms, an endless stream of weddings and more public events than ever. </p>



<p>Woodborough is easy to access from the city (it’s only seven miles north-east of&nbsp;Nottingham) and the Hall sits at one end of the pretty little village, nestled amid rolling hills and lush green countryside.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu.jpg" alt="autumn tasting menu at woodborough hall notts" class="wp-image-10734" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-menu-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I was here for the Autumnal tasting evening A Taste of Woodborough Hall, a seven-course tasting menu designed to showcase the best of the new Autumn menu (spoiler: it&#8217;s a delicious, comforting triumph of local seasonal produce).</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall.jpg" alt="woodborough hall country house at dusk" class="wp-image-10732" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-woodborough-hall-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>First impressions are lovely. You’ll feel like you’ve arrived at your friend’s contemporary country house for the weekend. There’s a warm welcome from the lovely staff (it’s now a family-run business and it shows in their warmth, passion and enthusiasm) and a calm elegance about the contemporary, fuss-free reception hall. There’s a cool, clubby bar for before-dinner cocktails and we dined upstairs in a cosy, characterful dining room that&#8217;s all dark beams, moody lighting and original features. It&#8217;s a smart seasonal switch-up from the light-filled orangery where summer dining is hosted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-scallop-soup-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="scallop soup" class="wp-image-10745" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-scallop-soup-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-scallop-soup-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-scallop-soup-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-scallop-soup-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>If there&#8217;s one thing you try from the new autumn menu, make it the Scallop and Chive Velouté with micro greens. I only tried a teeny taster and oh my goodness &#8211; it&#8217;s the most delicious thing I&#8217;ve had all year. Rich layers of flavour and oh-so-comforting, it&#8217;s like a cosy hug in a bowl. One of those dishes that halts all conversation because you&#8217;re ooh-ing and aah-ing so much and feels nourishing to boot. A winner.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-tomatoes-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="tomatoes and olives salad" class="wp-image-10746" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-tomatoes-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-tomatoes-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-tomatoes-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autum-tomatoes-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Other highlights included the fabulously fresh and bursting-with-flavour tomatoes, olives, basil, capers and garlic. The Duck Ravioli with cherry is another gorgeous dish. Sweet but not cloying, with lots of lovely textures. The Filet Mignon with shallot and wild mushroom (foraged from the grounds earlier that day)</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-duck-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="duck ravioli" class="wp-image-10747" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-duck-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-duck-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-duck-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Autumn-duck-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Seafood your thing? Try the perfectly moist Halibut with soft, velvety artichoke balanced with a zing of grapefruit. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>Woodborough is a pretty little Nottinghamshire village and there are some lovely walks, both <a href="https://www.woodborough-heritage.org.uk/trailsintroduction.html">starting in the village</a> and further afield at nearby <a href="https://gedlingcountrypark.com/">Gedling Country Park</a> if you fancy working up an appetite first. Charming Southwell is less than 10 minutes away and is home to a host of Muddy Award-winning shops like dreamy jewellers <a href="https://www.lastnightidreamt.co.uk/">Last Night I Dreamt</a>, fashion boutique <a href="https://www.realclothingstore.co.uk/">Real Clothing</a> and cute café <a href="https://www.theoldtheatredeli.co.uk/the-deli-cafe">The Old Theatre Deli</a>.</p>



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



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Intimate autumnal dinners à deux or a sophisticated but cosy celebration with friends.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Book the babysitter &#8211; this is an elegant, grown up place which deserves some serious time taken over it.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> The seven course tasting menu comes in at £75pp. <a href="https://woodborough-hall.co.uk/private-dining/">Dinner</a> is served on Fridays and Saturday evenings. Mains cost from £19 and starters/desserts from £9.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://woodborough-hall.co.uk/">Woodborough Hall</a>, 1 Bank Hill, Woodborough, Nottingham NG14 6EE</em></p>


Muddy reviews: Woodborough Hall, Woodborough

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