Restaurants in Rutland: The Barnsdale
A return visit to an old favourite to celebrate The Barnsdale’s second anniversary under the custodianship of The Signet Collection, who have treated the country house hotel to a comprehensive makeover and present their spring/summer menus for 2025
It has been two years exactly since The Signet Collection took over The Barnsdale, and we’re thrilled to report that whilst the place is updated, and whilst it’s now looking very smart indeed, the heart and soul of the place remains.
When I met the company’s owner, Hector Ross, at the reopening event, I remarked that the reinvention of the hotel was akin to the replacement of the old Land Rover Defender to the new, rebooted and very impressive model.
In its old iteration, the Land Rover was an icon, and it had a classless quality, beloved by everyone from working folk going about their business in the countryside, to Queen Elizabeth II. Similarly, The Barnsdale’s charm has always been the fact that standing next to the smartly-dressed couple at the bar, there’s usually a chap in a wax jacket and cap with a labrador sitting by his lathered up boots, enjoying a post dog walk pint.
The reinvention of The Barnsdale, much like the reinvention of the old Defender into a newer and more up-to-date proposition, was a risky undertaking, the responsibility of taking an old favourite into a new era.
Fundamentally it was one that demanded the retention of that welcome, that sense of being the heart and soul of Rutland. And happily, everything that locals and guests loved about the place is retained, with fresh interiors and a smart redesign of its communal areas and 45 bedrooms. Plus, its new restaurant – much like the new Defender – is more comfortable, and just as capable, without sacrificing its original character.
This was an observation that went down rather well with Hector… I had no idea at the time but he’s a fan of classic Land Rovers, so the comparison went down well.
Everyone is welcome, and The Barnsdale is as popular with locals for morning coffee, lunch and evening dining as it is for weddings and meetings or those from out of the area seeking a base from which to explore Rutland offering country house hotel charm. The place itself dates back to 1760, and now that date now forms the name of its brasserie, which is open seven days a week from noon until 3pm, and from 6pm-9pm. There’s also a brunch menu, Sunday lunch menu and afternoon tea menu as well as The Rod Room’s light lunch menu with small plate offerings and some lunchtime-oriented dishes like a quality burger and poached chicken sandwich.
À la carte dining during lunchtime and evening service offers a choice of eight starters, four main courses and four grill options plus a couple of sharing dishes and eight puddings including a British artisan cheese option, ice creams and sorbets.
Since Signet Collection arrived at The Barnsdale, the old smaller entrance and anterooms have been opened up, with a larger more welcoming reception area that leads into the orangery, with its lounge area and restaurant each overlooking the courtyard garden, also available to diners too when the Great British climate permits al fresco dining.
Two private dining rooms are also available and the events barn – refurbished about this time last year – ensures The Barnsdale can accommodate anything from eight diners to functions for 180. Another new addition is the addition of the Signet Spa, with its nordic-inspired wellness facilities including lodge-style treatment rooms, sauna and a (heated!) outdoor pool.
Head Chef Steve Finch and his brigade of six chefs and front of house led by Joseph Wright, head of Food & Beverage have created an impressive menu which should offer broad appeal, from a satisfying rustic Pâté de Campagne plus Grilled Scallops or Beef Tartare.
A pepper-crusted Hampshire venison dish is served with soused blackberries and buttered Savoy cabbage, whilst seafood fans might opt for a line-caught Atlantic Cod with clams, samphire and vermouth. My choice, though, would be the 32-day aged Hampshire Rib-Eye Steak with big chips and its optional Café de Paris butter.
It does appear that the philosophy behind the menu’s creation is to allow one halo ingredient to come to the fore, with nice presentation, no fuss, and robust flavours.
If there’s a single dish I can suggest though that underpins The Barnsdale’s place in the market as offering rustic posh comfort it’s the sharing dish of Hampshire 32-day aged Beef Fillet Wellington with buttery mash, silken-glazed Chantenay carrots and a red wine gravy.
Desserts are a more creative interpretation of favourites, including a Crème Brûlée Cheesecake with cassis sorbet, Affogato and a chocolate dish enhanced with toasted hazelnuts and blackberry compote.
To accompany your meal, local drinks producers are well represented at The Barnsdale too with Grainstore ale, and local gin from names like Multum Gin Parvo and Mallard Point.
Accommodation is stylish too, right up to the flagship Fort Henry Suite with its roll-top copper bath, restful sage colour scheme and views over the Rutland countryside.
The Barnsdale has been a hotel since Thomas Noel’s original conversion of the former hunting lodge and farmhouse in 1989. Signet Collection’s purchase and transformation
has been the next most significant milestone in the hotel’s life. Happily, it has been just as successful too, with the tasteful deployment of classic interior design providing a backdrop for modern, innovative dining.
And best of all… the spirit of The Barnsdale hasn’t been lost along the way. It’s still welcoming, friendly, and classless, offering an experience that’s really quite superb.
The Barnsdale, The Avenue, Exton, Rutland, LE15 8AH. Call 01572 724678 or see www.barnsdalerutland.com.
To see our full feature read the May edition of Rutland Pride magazine at https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/rutland/view-magazines?magazine=May-2025