Set within ten acres of Warwickshire countryside, Mallory Court Hotel & Spa is the kind of country house hotel that makes leaving London feel effortless. I visited in autumn with my French Bulldog, Charlotte, staying in one of the hotel’s dog-friendly Manor House Master Rooms, complete with a private terrace overlooking the gardens.
The weather was rather moody for much of our visit, with grey skies and steady rain, but autumn has its own quiet theatre. As the sun dipped at golden hour, a beautiful rainbow appeared over the grounds, followed by a glowing, rose-gold sunrise the next morning. With its traditional interiors, beautifully kept gardens and an excellent dinner at The Warwick, it made for a lovely countryside escape.
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A Brief History of Mallory Court
Mallory Court has a fascinating history that adds to its appeal. Designed by architect Percy Morley Horder for James Thomas Holt, the house was built between 1914 and 1916, drawing inspiration from the vernacular architecture of the seventeenth century.
Its distinctive features include steeply pitched tiled roofs, leaded mullion windows and tall brick chimneys, all contributing to its quintessential English country house aesthetic. The house is Grade II listed, while its formal gardens, also designed by Horder, are Grade II registered by Historic England.
Over the years, the property has passed through several hands before being transformed into a country house hotel in 1976. Today, it retains much of its architectural heritage while offering the comforts of a luxury hotel, with Elan Spa adding another dimension to the experience.
The gardens are equally lovely, featuring formal landscaped areas, a rose garden, croquet lawn and walled kitchen garden. There is plenty to explore, and the grounds provide a beautiful backdrop to the hotel.
Our Manor House Master Room: Kiftsgate
We stayed in Kiftsgate, one of the hotel’s Manor House Master Rooms, where traditional country house character meets the comforts of a luxury hotel. The interiors felt perfectly in keeping with the property, with classic furnishings and decorative details. I particularly loved the wallpaper, which gave the room plenty of character, alongside the beautiful views across the gardens.
One of the highlights was having our own private door leading directly out onto a terrace overlooking the gardens. It was a lovely feature, particularly when travelling with Charlotte, as we could step straight outside without having to pass through the hotel. It also provided a lovely spot to take in the surroundings, especially during those fleeting moments of sunshine.
Despite the rather grey and rainy weather, we were lucky enough to catch a beautiful rainbow stretching across the grounds during golden hour, followed by a glowing sunrise the following morning. Having such lovely views from our room made these little moments all the more special.
Inside, the room featured a comfortable king-size bed, a dining table positioned by the window overlooking the gardens, and a desk tucked neatly into the corner. There was also a selection of complimentary teas and coffee, alongside a Nespresso machine.
The en-suite bathroom was equally lovely, featuring both a bath and a separate walk-in shower. I particularly liked the green tiles, which added a beautiful touch of colour and complemented the traditional styling of the room.
Staying at Mallory Court with a Dog
As a dog-friendly hotel in Warwickshire, Mallory Court makes an effort to ensure its four-legged guests feel welcome. Charlotte had her own dog bed, bowls, poo bags and a few treats waiting for her on arrival, which was a lovely touch.
The direct garden access from our room was particularly convenient, making it easy to take Charlotte outside during our stay. Dogs are also welcome to explore the hotel grounds, although they aren’t permitted in the main restaurant or spa.
Dog-friendly accommodation is available in selected Manor House bedrooms for an additional £25 per dog, per night, with a maximum of one dog per room.
Dinner at The Warwick
During our stay, I enjoyed dinner at The Warwick, Mallory Court’s restaurant, which showcases seasonal ingredients, with much of the produce sourced from the hotel’s own kitchen garden.
Although dogs aren’t permitted in the main restaurant, the team kindly arranged for me to dine in The Garden, one of the hotel’s private dining rooms overlooking the grounds, so Charlotte could join me. It was a thoughtful alternative and a lovely setting for the evening.
I enjoyed the Three Course À La Carte Menu, which began with a couple of amuse-bouches, followed by freshly baked milk bread. Wonderfully soft and fluffy, it was a lovely start to the meal.
For my starter, I chose the lobster raviolo, served with bisque, Granny Smith apple and salty fingers. This was followed by Highland Wagyu, accompanied by black garlic purée, maitake mushrooms and tender short rib. To finish, I had the baked Alaska, which made for a lovely end to the meal.
Elan Spa at Mallory Court
Set amongst the trees within the hotel grounds, Elan Spa offers a welcome opportunity to unwind during a countryside stay. I popped over to make use of the indoor hydrotherapy pool, although it was quite busy during my visit, so I didn’t get the opportunity to explore the facilities as much as I’d have liked.
The spa also features an indoor salt sauna and steam room, alongside an outdoor glass-fronted sauna and vitality pool, with views across the surrounding countryside. It’s a lovely additional amenity for those looking to incorporate a little relaxation into their stay.
Getting There
Mallory Court is easily accessible from London by train, with services to Leamington Spa taking under an hour and a half. From the station, it’s a short taxi journey to the hotel, making it a straightforward countryside escape without needing to drive.
Final Thoughts
With its beautiful architecture, generous gardens, charming accommodation and excellent dining, Mallory Court makes for a lovely luxury countryside retreat within easy reach of London.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly country house hotel where you can enjoy a little luxury, peaceful surroundings and a change of pace without leaving your four-legged companion behind, Mallory Court is certainly worth considering.
If you’re planning a wider UK stay with your dog, I’ve also rounded up my favourite stays in this guide to the best dog-friendly hotels across the UK.
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