At Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, dining is not simply an experience, it is a carefully considered journey shaped by seasonality, sustainability and a deep respect for provenance. At the heart of this philosophy sits The Dining Room, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where modern British cuisine is elevated through precision, creativity and a strong connection to the land that surrounds it.

Set within the elegant surroundings of the manor, The Dining Room offers a calm, refined space where the focus remains firmly on the food. The atmosphere is understated yet luxurious, allowing each course to take centre stage, while attentive, knowledgeable service ensures the experience feels both seamless and deeply personal.

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A menu rooted in seasonality and sustainability

Sustainability is not a passing trend at Whatley Manor, it is embedded in every aspect of the kitchen’s approach. Much of the produce is sourced locally, with ingredients often grown in the hotel’s own kitchen garden or foraged from the surrounding countryside. This close relationship with nature allows the menus to evolve constantly, reflecting what is at its very best at any given moment.

The result is a style of cooking that feels both contemporary and grounded, where flavour, texture and origin are given equal importance. It is an approach that not only reduces environmental impact, but also creates a more meaningful and connected dining experience.

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The new tasting menus

The latest menus at The Dining Room continue this philosophy, offering a choice of beautifully curated tasting experiences. The nine-course menu is a journey through both land and sea, beginning with delicate combinations such as cheese & onion and Sturia caviar, before moving through dishes including Brixham crab, foraged mushroom and Orkney scallop, and culminating in “beef from the manor”, a clear nod to the estate’s own produce

From there, the experience transitions into a thoughtful finish, with truffled Tunworth cheese, followed by desserts such as honey with preserved plum, and a light, elegant conclusion of sheep’s yoghurt & tulip, ice cream sandwich and citrus tea

A shorter six-course menu offers a more concise version of this journey, retaining the same focus on quality and seasonality while allowing for a slightly lighter experience

In addition, alternative menus ensure inclusivity without compromise. The pescatarian menu introduces dishes such as Cornish lobster alongside the signature elements of the main menu, while the vegetarian and plant-based menus showcase the kitchen’s creativity with ingredients like salt baked celeriac, Jerusalem artichoke and BBQ cauliflower, demonstrating that plant-led dining can be just as complex, indulgent and satisfying

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Dining with purpose

What truly sets The Dining Room apart is the sense of purpose behind every plate. The emphasis on sustainable sourcing, reduced waste and thoughtful ingredient selection is not just about responsibility, it enhances the dining experience itself. Each dish tells a story, not only of flavour, but of place, season and careful stewardship.

At Whatley Manor, luxury and sustainability exist in perfect balance. The Dining Room is a reflection of this ethos, a space where exceptional cuisine, environmental awareness and genuine hospitality come together to create something quietly remarkable.

For those looking for a dining experience that feels both refined and forward-thinking, The Dining Room offers a compelling and memorable destination in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside.

April 2026 ∙ The Feathered Nest in Nether Westcote introduces a fresh highlight in its culinary calendar, launching its first chef collaboration of the year with a special one-night-only dining experience. Taking place on Tuesday 14 April at 7pm, the evening brings together two exceptional chefs for a truly memorable occasion.

Head Chef James will be joined in the kitchen by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens of Muse in London, a restaurant celebrated for its elegant, contemporary approach to modern cuisine.

A meeting of creativity and skill
For this exclusive event, the two chefs will work side by side to create a menu that reflects their shared commitment to quality ingredients, creativity and refined technique. The result is set to be a carefully composed dining experience, where two individual styles come together seamlessly on one menu.

Guests can look forward to dishes that balance innovation with precision, offering a rare opportunity to experience the work of both chefs in an intimate and thoughtfully curated setting.

A seasonal, ingredient-led menu
The evening begins with a selection of bread and snacks, including roosterkoek with chicken and cèpe butter, celeriac chawanmushi with pine and Oscietra caviar, and chicken liver parfait paired with a hazelnut hobnob. The menu then moves through a series of seasonal dishes, from ricotta with blood orange and bitter leaves to a Cornish crab muffin with Cape Malay butter, fermented fennel and sea herbs.

Further courses celebrate the best of the season, including white asparagus with morel and horseradish, followed by monkfish with elderflower and lemon. A standout main features Welsh hogget served as roast loin, crisp belly and glazed faggot with wild garlic, artichokes and sunflower seeds. To finish, a Westcote honey tart is served with chamomile and crème fraîche.

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Something new is stirring beneath the arches in Leamington Spa, as Warwickshire Gin Company introduces an exciting after-hours experience designed to bring guests closer to the craft of distilling.

Launching this season, Alchemy After Hours invites visitors to step behind the scenes for a relaxed and immersive 90-minute session where creativity takes centre stage. More than a tasting, it is an opportunity to help shape what comes next.

Hosted by founder and distiller Dave Blick, the evening begins with a welcome drink before guests are guided through a curated selection of experimental gins, alongside the distillery’s distinctive honey rum. Each spirit has its own story, inspiration and flavour profile, offering a deeper insight into the thinking behind the brand.

What makes this experience particularly unique is its interactive element. Guests are invited to explore a further selection of experimental flavours, from inventive combinations such as rhubarb, mint and blackcurrant to more unexpected profiles like green valley tea. These small-batch creations exist only within the distillery, and feedback from the evening will help influence which flavours could one day make it into full production.

It is a concept that reflects the spirit of Warwickshire Gin Company itself. Each of its existing gins is rooted in local history, from Leamington on Parade, inspired by a 19th-century circus elephant trainer, to The Kingmaker, Peeping Tom, Pelota Dry Gin and The Philosopher’s Daughter, all drawing on stories that have shaped the region.

Alongside Alchemy After Hours, the distillery continues to offer a range of well-loved experiences, including guided gin tastings, cocktail sessions and its popular Afternoon Gin & Tea, as well as curated gift bundles for those looking to take a piece of the experience home.

With over 170 five-star reviews and recognition among the top-rated attractions globally, Warwickshire Gin Company has firmly established itself as one of the region’s standout craft distilleries.

For those looking for something a little different, Alchemy After Hours offers a rare chance to not only taste something new, but to be part of its story.

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