Last weekend, my boyfriend and I hopped on a train to Knutsford with our dog in tow for one night at the beautiful, historic Courthouse Hotel.
The Courthouse, part of the Flat Cap Hotels group, has reopened its imposing yet welcoming doors after shutting up shop for an extensive 12 month renovation. The Grade II listed building, based in Cheshire, has been entirely reimagined and we were invited to try it out and see how the transformation measures up in the flesh.
There's no denying The Courthouse's beauty; it's a traditional building steeped in history, though it's been finished with classically styled yet contemporary features and facilities. It's immediately visible from Knutsford train station and only a few minute's walk from there - ideal if, like me, you can't drive - but it's also easily accessible by car.
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The reception is relatively small, dominated by a large staircase, but it does offer sneak peeks at the impressive bar and restaurant area, and the beautiful function room. Unsurprisingly, given its name, it used to be the region's courthouse and this has been factored into the design.
The beautiful, modern bar is complemented by the striking, historic domed skylight. Extraordinary features, like the judge's dock, have also been incorporated in the bar area, bringing the past into the present day.
The hotel boasts nine spacious bedrooms, each featuring floor to ceiling canopy beds, original fireplaces, and rainforest showers. Here's how we got on during our stay:
The location
I'd never been to Knutsford before and was immediately enthralled by the beautiful, narrow streets packed with independent shops, bars and restaurants. There's an array of incredibly pretty and quaint houses, and both my boyfriend and I felt instantly relaxed and at ease in the town.
Knutsford still has plenty of necessities and chain stores, as well as a decent selection of swanky and upmarket bars mixed with cosy, traditional pubs, so seems to be a place that would suit many. It's a beautiful, peaceful town with plenty of green space and lots of cute and quirky venues to wander in and out of.
Liverpool is an exciting, fast-paced city and I love living here, but I can't deny Knutsford's quiet appeal and charm. It's well worth visiting for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle without losing any of the amenities of modern life.
The interiors
I adore the design and style of The Courthouse. There's definite nods to the building's history, while modern touches have been seamlessly incorporated throughout. We stayed in one of the Executive King rooms, complete with a traditional fireplace and chunky four-poster bed. When we opened the door to the room, we actually said: "Wow".
There were dog bowls and a blanket provided for our dog, as well as some "doggy wine" and "doggy beer" which we both felt was a lovely touch. It's hard planning a staycation with a dog as so many places don't allow pets, so it felt especially brilliant to not only be allowed to take him along with us but to also have treats and special measures put in place to make us feel so welcome with him in tow.
I loved the décor throughout the hotel, but especially our room's forest-green walls and cosy touches. It's a decadent, sumptuous space that, while vast, still manages to be cosy and intimate.
The bathroom was truly stunning - and a stark contrast to what we have at home. The bathroom in our tiny two-bedroom terrace looks as though it was last updated in the 80s and we're slowly, slowly saving to get it redone. Now, I am determined to create something similar to The Courthouse's luxurious space.
It's kitted out with a beautiful roll top bathtub with claw feet (the dream!), a waterfall shower and a double sink - so no pushing or shoving for space while brushing your teeth.
The floor tiles are modern and stylish, though perfectly in keeping with the retro design of the bathroom furnishings. It's sleek but classy, and clean without appearing cold or clinical. I had a hot bath and honestly didn't want to get out.
The only reason I eventually pulled myself out of the tub was because of the relentless shrieking of the child staying next door, which was piercingly loud in the bathroom. The rooms have some sound-proofing, but it's not very effective.
We could hear music blasting from a function taking place downstairs but, as it was turned off by midnight, it wasn't an issue for us. If you're a light sleeper who's early to bed, you may struggle, but it was perfectly fine for us.
We couldn't hear our neighbours unless we were in the bathroom or out in the hallway, so it was still possible to relax and indulge in an evening of escapism.
The food
We dined in the restaurant, which is also dog friendly, and were treated to three courses of high quality, delicious food. The decor in the trendy bar and restaurant is as impressive as the rooms, with beautiful olive trees perfectly paired with industrial touches for a modern yet classic feel.
The in-house restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with its current menu offering a satisfying selection of small plates, sides and Sunday roasts for good measure. Dishes are made using the finest local produce.
We sampled a few dishes - a flat bread to start; with sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic drizzle, which was delicious. I normally find sun-dried tomatoes to be a little too acidic, but The Courthouse's were flavoursome without being too tangy.
For our main courses, I opted for creamed goat's cheese with roasted vegetables and a side of thick cut chips, while my boyfriend chose a hefty vegan steak. Both dishes were delicious - though mine was very small and light, so I would recommend ordering sides to ensure you're full.
The steak was rich and juicy, though a jarring experience as neither of us could ascertain what it was actually made of. It was moist and textured and though it isn't anything like the real deal (much to my vegetarian delight), it was a tasty, well cooked dish that's well worth trying.
To finish, we chose cheesecake with raspberry coulis. It was creamy and sweet, with the coulis adding a satisfyingly sharp and slightly sour twist.
The next morning, we ventured down for breakfast. The breakfast menu is small, though there's a breakfast bar offering cereals, juices, yoghurts, croissants and fruit. We opted for a menu item - 'The Most Talked About' - which comprises diced avocado, sautéed tomato, spinach, Flat Cap mushroom and (optional) chilli flakes on a chunky slab of sourdough toast.
After finishing, my boyfriend said: "This was truly phenomenal." I'd have to agree; it was light, fresh and packed with flavour.
Our stay at The Courthouse Hotel was wonderful. It's a beautiful building, with gorgeous rooms that have been restored stylishly and sympathetically. The fact it's dog friendly adds to the welcoming atmosphere, while the staff couldn't have been more attentive or friendly. We will definitely be back.
The Courthouse Hotel is based on Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PB. You can make a booking here.
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