Tucked away in the quaint countryside on the outskirts of Bristol, North the Grange boasts impressive lands which we were nicely invited to come and review for our Travel section.
As newcomers to Bristol we anticipated the options the city had to offer and luckily chose to visit the weekend of the annual Harbour Festival, which offered a fun variety of music, food and beer and attracted revellers in their thousands. With so much going on we were relieved to take shelter at our hotel and relax in the luxury of our 4 star abode.
Read the full review below on the best assets North the Grange has to offer with a full review of the evening menu and standard room style.
AESTHETIC
The grounds truly are something to behold, making a good first impression upon arrival as you weave your way through the leading path, past open hills and emerging trees. Once arriving, the car park is just beside the entrance, allowing further sights of the grounds and opening view to the hotels longest resident, a 200 year old tree.
Said tree inspires decor inside as the restaurant features an impressive plate display painting picture of the tree and functioning as a large wall piece. The rest of the eatery offers large chandelier style lamps hanging from the ceiling, open light space and traditional yet relevant furnishings.
The rest of the hotel sticks to a similar theme, classic armchairs are in ample supply to offer a cosy seat when required and even a Grandfather Clock guards the hallway to encourage further charm to the interior.
ROOM
The standard choice of room offers more than enough room for a party of two to utilise. Boasting a large double bed which you could easily fit a whole family in with room to spare, pillows and throws are in plentiful supply to ensure your slumber needs are met and comfort is guaranteed. The only issue with the bed is you may not want to emerge once settling in.
The particular room sampled was located on the ground floor and benefited from a private door which lead out to the grounds, offering exclusive access to breathe in the fresh country air and take a walk of the vast estate’s grounds at your leisure. Other fittings our room provided were a small living area complete with double seated sofa, 32″ flat screen television, side desk with stationary supplies and the usual amenities by way of kettle, hairdryer and shower.
Decorated to the hotels recurring traditional nature, the room offered a familiar, safe environment, with low lighting provided by a choice of standing and desk lamps. Patterns and colour were balanced with classic wood and magnolia walls, which matched the furniture as provided.
DINING
Offering a varied choice of classic pub dishes and sophisticated takes on traditional favourites, the menu accommodates for the majority. Our starters included Potato and Leek Soup and Chicken Liver Pate, both of which were presented to exceptional standards and matched aesthetic with taste.
The real winner of the menu though is the Sirloin Steak, which we sampled served on a wooden board with thick cut chips and herb butter to accompany. Tender yet taut, the sirloin is prepared exactly to requirements (we opted for medium well). No matter how full, the steak is a dish you will want to finish just to ensure the appetising flavour is not missed out on.
Making room for dessert is also advised as the selection of sweet treats tantalises taste buds in a way you won’t want to miss. Our team tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Three Scoops of Ice Cream, both of which lived up to expectations. For the Ice Cream flavours we tried White Chocolate, Caramelita and Strawberry, which mixed flavours nicely balancing fruity with sweet.
VERDICT
For a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, North the Grange provides exquisite luxury which won’t be forgotten in a hurry. With secluded grounds and so much space, it’s easy to see why this space is such a popular wedding venue choice, ideal for picturesque backdrops.
Book your visit at North the Grange Mercure Bristol.
