Rutland Pride SEPT 206.qxp 29/07/2019 13:54 Page 59
FOOD & DRINK
ORTON HALL LOSE YOUR HEAD OVER QUALITY DINING AT
You can dine like a king or queen this month at Huntly Restaurant in Orton Hall, located in the Peterborough suburb of Orton Longueville. Elegant, beautifully situated and close to some stunning walks and scenery, it’s a perfect Autumn recommendation... Words & Images: Rob Davis.
meet the CHEF
Mary, Queen of Scots, lost her head at Oundle’s Fotheringhay Castle. Part of that building was ‘reclaimed’ (pilfered) to create the fabric of Orton Hall in the leafy, posh suburb of the city of Peterborough’s Orton Longueville. The arched stone doorway that Mary walked through prior to joining the great majority is pretty low and now has a sign above saying, without irony, ‘mind your head,’ proving conclusively that sometimes it’s a good idea to take good advice… so in that very same spirit, we’ve some good advice for you. Visit this month’s wonderful restaurant. Located in one of Peterborough’s six Orton villages, the hotel is one of a trio in the Abacus Hotel group, alongside Knights Hill in Kings Lynn and the enigmatically named Le Strange Arms in the North Norfolk town of Old Hunstanton. It’s set in 20 acres of mature and lovely parkland, and dates back to the 17th century,
“THE HUNTLY RESTAURANT CONCENTRATES ON SMART DINING IN AN EQUALLY SMART ENVIRONMENT...”
with later additions in 1835. It remained in the family of the Marquess of Huntly, George Gordon – synonymous with the Gordon’s Gin brand – until financial whoopsies in the 1880s, rambling estates elsewhere in the UK and the usual trials and tribulations of familial succession meant it was less beloved by the family, who offloaded it in 1954, whereupon it became a girls’ school.
Abacus Hotels purchased it back in 1990, refurbished it and subsequently opened for business in 1991. The country house hotel now has 70 bedrooms, eight conference or private dining rooms, a spa and an adjacent pub, the Ramblewood Inn. The latter is open day and night, offering steaks; burgers; sausage ‘n’ mash et al. That leaves the Huntly Restaurant in the hotel itself to concentrate on smarter, >>
KEVIN WOOD HEAD CHEF ORTON HALL
Food History: From Hull, and having worked across the UK, Kevin settled at Orton Hall 20 years ago. Food Philosophy: “Good honest food that’s also beautifully presented.” Food Heaven: “I enjoy fish. The fresher the better, it’s just so versatile!” Food Hell: “Marmite. They do say you love it or hate it!” n
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