Rooms with a view

Look out your bedroom at the vineyards in this country house with warm and comforting hospitality

WHEN the name of a place contains a certain word, it’s gratifying when that thing actually exists; The Vineyard Country House in Montagu delivers exactly what it promises – a view of the vineyards (and orchards) among which it is set.

The property comprises five exquisitely and individually decorated spacious en-suite rooms which open onto deep, shaded verandas.

To the best of my observational skills, all have outside showers (with varying levels of modesty) which will be incredibly welcome when the summer temperatures climb into the 40s. There’s also a pretty pool in which to cool down; we braved it for a bracing first dip of the season.

Owned and run by Louise Smith and Lauren Zarges – ably assisted by the roly-poly pugs Isabella and Basil and friendly kitty Neville-Anne (named thus because when she arrived her gender had not yet been determined) – this place has a sincere feeling of being in someone’s private home where you are being put up in one of the spare bedrooms.

After dropping our bags in the room and oohing and aahing over all the prettiness, we plumped ourselves down in the communal lounge area, which is filled with books, board games and, to my delight, a turntable and records. And what a wonderful collection too – Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Led Zeppelin.

We were told we could do whatever made us happy. It turns out playing music and drinking gin and tonic while Louise and Lauren cooked dinner did exactly that.

We were invited to dine with our hosts and their friends on the first evening and were treated to a magnificent three-course meal, displayed as gorgeously as any good restaurant in the big city could.

“Pork belly or lamb?” Louise had asked ahead of our arrival. We chose the pork belly and were not disappointed.

Breakfasts are also three-course affairs and vary according to what’s best on the day. Louise’s omelettes are the lightest and fluffiest I have encountered (which is saying a lot because I almost always have an omelette for breakfast on my travels).

Suitably fortified with a hearty brekkie, you can sally forth to explore the cute little town. If you’re there over a weekend, there’s a market every Saturday morning next door to the church. I’ve been there twice in the past couple of months and both times found excellent second-hand books and pretty jewellery.

When the hunger pangs kick in again, you can choose from eateries in the town, or head down to the local supermarket to pick up something.

Our stay was wonderfully relaxing and the personal touch of being sent on our way with a handpicked bunch of flowers and herbs from the garden was the perfect finalé.

“If you find yourself drawn to an event against all logic, go. The universe is telling you something.” – GLORIA STEINEM

Bianca Coleman VINEYARDS outside the writer’s room.