If you’re in need of a change of scenery and fancy swapping the chaos of the capital for the calm of the countryside, allow me to point you in the dreamy direction of the Candover Valley. Because that, my friends, is where you’ll find the Woolpack Inn. This idyllic 18th-century inn is situated slap-bang in the middle of Totford (a teeny-tiny hamlet that’s thought to be the smallest in England), and serves as a pretty perfect little slice of peace and tranquility for us stressed-out Londoners.
The Woolpack Inn
This gorgeous Grade I listed locale dates all the way back to the 18th century when it was built to provide food and shelter to those travelling through the area. The flint and brick building recently underwent a rather mighty multi-million pound makeover and reopened last year. The Woolpack Inn now seamlessly blends historic charm with all of the contemporary comforts you’d want and need for a weekend retreat from London – and most certainly deserves a place on your that ever-lengthening must-visit list of yours.
Boasting eight beautifully-decorated boutique bedrooms (each of which is named after a local game bird), a night spent at the Woolpack Inn feels warm and cosy but in a very elegant and luxurious way, with thoughtful touches at every turn. It feels a bit like you’re staying with an old friend. Well, an old friends who happens to have impeccable taste and a huge house in the countryside, you know?
A real jewel in the Woolpack Inn’s crown comes in the form of its restaurant, in which head chef, Luke Stradling, cooks up a storm. The menu evolves with the seasons and each and every ingredient is sourced within a 50-mile radius. The Woolpack Inn has its own market garden which provides 95% of the vegetables used in the kitchen. And the dishes certainly feel a step up from your average pub grub.
Surrounded by sweeping landscapes and rolling hills, this idyllic inn is perfectly located for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital city and inhale some actual fresh air for the first time in months. There are plenty of wonderful walking routes nearby, but if you’d prefer to explore the area on board a steam train, then fear not. Because the historic Watercress Line steam railway is just a stone’s throw from the Woolpack Inn in the picture-perfect village of Arlesford.
Getting to the Woolpack Inn from London
The Woolpack Inn is approximately a 90 minute drive from London and there is free parking available on site. Non-drivers can hop on a train from Clapham Junction to Basingstoke and hop on a local onwards bus or take a short taxi ride from there to the Woolpack Inn.
Find out more about the Woolpack Inn and plan your visit here.
