There may be very few positives to come out of the past year-and-a-bit that we’ve spent under yo-yoing lockdowns – but one of those few positives is the Mediterranean approach that our hospitality sector has taken to COVID-safe dining. It begs the question, why didn’t we think of this sooner?
I mean, sure, our tiny island is plagued with torrential rain and gloomy skies on a pretty frequent basis, but you know what we’re like up North. A little bit of grey weather is no bother to us, which is exactly why the dreaminess of it all outweighs the rainy logistics.
Enter, Grantley Hall’s brand new al fresco dining experience, aptly named ‘The Orchard’ thanks to its Italian-meets-British summer garden decor. The new outdoor terrace is set within a stunning sailcloth marquee – providing a bright, airy and laid back place for guests to unwind.
And if you’ve been lucky enough to visit the hotel already, you’ll know that Grantley Hall doesn’t do things by halves.
Located on their West Terrace and overlooking their beautifully manicured lawns, The Orchard flows with an indoor-outdoor feel thanks to the cosy armchairs and large marquee – which provides shelter from both the afternoon sun and any light showers that might try to rain on our parade.
But it’s the decor that really brings a special air to the place, boasting a number of orange trees which are dotted throughout, and finished off with soft cream furnishings and brass tables which add the luxury feel to the terrace.
Offering both all-day drinking and dining, The Orchard serves up a curated menu in keeping with the summery vibes – featuring classic cocktails such as the Negroni, Pina Colada and Daiquiris, as well as plates such as sirloin steak, grilled lobster and smoked salmon.
If that wasn’t tempting enough already, the terrace is also home to a vintage Airstream – which has been brought in as a striking centrepiece to the place. Told you they didn’t do anything by halves.
The introduction of The Orchard follows the major success seen last year with the Norton Courtyard and The EightyEight Terrace – which gave varied backdrops and experiences for guests to enjoy throughout the estate.
Where The EightyEight Terrace soaks up the estate’s Japanese Garden and the Norton Courtyard complements the hall’s British bistro, the new Orchard elevates its formal gardens – providing a whole new atmosphere that can’t be found elsewhere on the premises.
Open daily from 12pm til 9pm, bookings are not essential for those who fancy a couple of G&T’s while they relax, however, for those looking to eat, you can find the booking system here.
The five-star Grantley Hall has been blessed with not only new developments on their estate this year but also a Michelin Star – which was awarded to the Shaun Rankin restaurant that resides inside the hotel. To find out more about the accolade-collecting hotel, head to their website here.
[Featured image: Grantley Hall]
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