Langar Hall

Press Reviews

The Telegraph, January 2009
"So how has Langar Hall managed to survive so successfully for 25 years? Probably by being one of that much-vaunted breed: “a destination in its own right”. Not so much a country house hotel as an elegant but homely country house (largely 1830s, painted apricot, lime-lined drive) that effortlessly creates its own little world."

The Telegraph, May 2006
"Langar Hall is Imogen Skirving. The stuccoed, caramel-coloured Georgian house reached by an avenue of limes has been in her family since 1860. When Imogen inherited, she began to take in paying guests to make ends meet. It was a success. She added ensuite bathrooms, then thought she might employ a chef... and gradually transformed her home into a popular, instantly likeable hotel, or – more accurately – restaurant-with-rooms.

The charmingly decorated house still feels like a home, not least because of the amount of guests in the dining room that greet their hostess like a long-lost friend. "She has an eight-foot personality in a five-foot frame," said the man at the next table.

Trotting round the pillared room (white tablecloths in the evening, Indian ones by day), she has a word for everyone, and her key staff echo her warmth, if not her winning eccentricity.

Children are welcome, with a big basket of toys in one of the attractive sitting rooms (there's also a bar and a garden room serving light meals all day) and a play area outside.

Langar's style can best be described as "quirky romantic" with a strong dash of India. She has an eye for design and loves fabric and wallpaper."

Les Routiers Guide
"Thanks to the efforts of Imogen Skirving, the 170-year-old house has the feel of a family home and as such is crammed full of antiques and personal artefacts... Public rooms have a relaxed lived-in style, full of books, plump sofas, open fires and fantastic country views. Bedrooms in the main house vary in size, but come with all sorts of extras such as big towels, and dressing gowns. Courtyard rooms, known as the Church Wing, are more up-to-date, but equal the main house in their appeal... Silver candelabra, fine crystal and fresh flowers decorate tables, which are large and well spaced. Toby Garratt, who has been at Langar since the early 90s, follows local supply lines with his predominantly traditional menus, which feature the likes of seared scallops and cider beurre blanc, organic free-range guinea flowl with citrus sauce, and panna cotta with rhubarb soup. The wine list is particularly good value."

Small Charming Hotels
"... The food is superb and the wine list well judged... The best bedrooms are light and airy, with furniture appropriate to the house which Imogen wanted to save, and enjoy glorious views of the Vale of Belvoir. For exercise, you can play croquet or stroll round the village church just behind the house. Best of all is the friendliness of the hostess and her staff... nothing is too much trouble for the chef or staff."

The Good Hotel Guide
"loved for the 'faded gentility' behind its stuccoed apricot facade: 'Like the comfortable home of a friend.' Other accolades: 'Smiling faces, helpful hands with luggage, a refreshingly simple check-in.' 'I loved the mix of fine furniture, old family pictures and portraits, tasteful colours.' The rooms are themed: Edwards is 'large, full of character with a lovely view over fields'; Barristers resembles an old-fashioned solicitor's office; Bohemia, like an artist's studio, has love poetry inscribed in its bathroom. Barbara Cartland (she often stayed), for honeymooners, overlooks the ancient churchyard... The food is 'very good, cooked with care: light sauces let you appreciate the organic ingredients'."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “We stayed at Langar hall to break our journey from Scotland back to London after Xmas. We arrived to a very warm welcome and immediately felt at home. The house is just amazing and very comfortable. We enjoyed our free glass of wine from I-escape before dinner, and then had a really good meal -as good as anything we have had in London. Again the service was marvellous. We would thoroughly recommend Langar hall and hope to return some time soon.”
  Isabelle, United Kingdom (28.12.11)

• “Very special, yet relaxed and cosy.”
  Manish, United Kingdom (05.12.11)

• “Wonderful hotel with eccentric proprietor and delicious food. Stayed in Agnews which was small but charming and very romantic. A wonderful evening and would definitely return.”
  Alice, United Kingdom (23.10.11)

• “What a lovely Bed & Breakfast! Having driven from London in the August rain (yes, this year has been bad), it was a nice and easy place to reach. The room was nice (Bills) and the bathroom extremely clean with a LCD TV that worked well. But the best is to have dinner in the lovely cosy dinning room - with a good selection of wines at reasonable prices. I opted for the local Langar Hall Lamb shank and minted vegetables - it was sublime and well cooked. Then I hesitated between the Rasberry Souffle with lemon sorbet and a choc hazlenut parfait with passion fruit sorbet. Well, on the recommendation of the staff, I took the souffle.... oh my, delicious and worth the drive to Langar just on that basis....
  Breakfast was great, all excellent ingredients used, and i mean it. Top bacon, top sausage and not greasy in any way.... I cannot wait to go back to Langar Hall!
  Congratulations to the owners - this place is without ANY fault.”
  llewellyn, United Kingdom (07.09.11)