HAWKWELL HOUSE HOTEL

Oxford

WHERE AND WHY

Just minutes from Oxford’s Mini factory, but a world away from robots and rubber, lies this recently refurbished elegant house hotel.

Nestled in leafy residential streets in the sleepy village of Iffley, it’s based in the 19th-century manor where all-round plucky chap Francis Howard Bickerton – frequent polar explorer, soldier, flyer in both world wars and moviemaker – was born in 1889.

Hawkwell, now cleverly styled in a homage to classic Oxford tailoring (shoe lasts as hooks, lamp shades of buttoned cuffs, brogues everywhere), manages to be both sedate and busy at the same time.

ON THE MENU

Dinner choice ranges from classic beefburger (£13.95) to mushroom risotto with truffle oil (£12.95) and even a breakfast pizza (sausage, bacon, mushroom, fried egg, (£11.50).