Grim's Dyke Hotel

Angella

Historic Hotel - home of operetta writer Gilbert 22nd September 2009

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A leafy, winding road leads along the old Grim's Dyke, a fortification against the Romans, to a Victorian house with a blue plaque for not just one but three famous historical figures. The architect Shaw built it in a style which combined gabled Victorian with gothic arches. Operetta writer Gilbert was a local hero for being a magistrate and establishing the golf course, as well as national and worldwide favourite for the words to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas (I've got a little list ...)
You can walk around the grounds, admiring the trees and flowers, have tea overlooking the lawn, or go into the bar for a drink. When you've got time and money I suggest you have a gourmet dinner - or cheaper set lunch in the Gilbert room. They also have weddings about three times a week in summer, grand bedrooms with four posters in the main house at prices up to £300 in high season for the huge Sullivan room, and cheaper rooms from as little as £60 a night for a single in the motel block where the better rooms can sleep up to four in a gorgeous red room with a spa bath.
I've reviewed the Gilbert's restaurant separately.

Angella

Grim's Dyke Hotel Restaurant & Bar 14th April 2008

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Why go there?
A friend who sings in amateur and semi-professional choirs and musicals thought a drink here was a must. This grand historic country house hotel, only ten miles from central London, is a music lover's delight.

History
Sir William Gilbert who wrote the clever words of the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas lived here. He also died here, collapsing after the anxiety of rushing to rescue a damsel in distress in his swimming pool.

Getting There
Brown signposts on nearby roads make the secluded house easy to find. The entrance is opposite a clifftop public car park which on a fine day or summer evening gives views over London.

A sweep drive leads through leaning trees and rhododendrons to the massive and romantic gabled house. A historic plaque is on the outside wall.

The restaurant alongside the car park has a self-playing piano with keys jumping up and down as if played by a jolly ghost.

On a Sunday night last orders were 9 pm and we wanted something less rushed so we just went to the bar (next entrance) for a drink.

In the hall the notice board has brochures on the hotel and leaflets for the Gilbert and Sullivan dinners, meal and entertainment at £65 per person. To me £130 for an evening out for two sounds a lot, but my friend reckoned it was good value. So I hope he or somebody else will take me there.

The bar is a grand drawing room with two sofas and bookcases. The cocktail I hummed over was £6. My favourite kir was not on the menu but the barman was able to make it. I still don't know what it cost. The guest is not supposed to know prices in restaurants. But frankly I'd rather know.

(I went all round Finland ordering steak instead of venison which I wanted, but I assumed it would be dearer as in England. After running up a huge bill for my hosts I discovered that in Finland venison is cheap but steak is dear.) It's a legal requirement that you show drinks prices. Yet so often in restaurants, bars and hotels a whole range of drinks is offered, with no indication of prices except for half a dozen items.

The bar menu includes a couple of cocktails. If you ask for the restaurant menu, as the bar menu suggests, you can find a wider selection of drinks by the glass.

The staff were really obliging. A couple at the bar ordered their restaurant meal from the bar, to get the order in to the chef, whilst they sat chatting and drinking.

My kir was slightly dry for my taste, not thrilling. But the atmosphere was lovely.

Spotlessly clean. Yet really old. As it would have been when it was new in Victorian times. Romantic mock medieval.

The hotel has 40 rooms. They also offer morning coffee, lunch of afternoon tea - with guided tours for groups. In summer you can sit outdoors under a giant umbrella taking tea and admiring the gardens. The perfect place for those who like glamour or history, whether you are all British or entertaining foreigners.

Bar Food
Near Christmas 2008 on a Friday evening they were busy with lots of guests in cocktail wear and evening gowns so you are not likely to feel overdressed if you look glamorous. The bar still had seating but was not serving any food - not hot soup - not even a sandwich, because of the huge numbers of guests in the restaurant or a huge private party. So we had to divert over the road to the pub for food.



Parking
Went back Dec 2008. Of the three car parks the lower one near the residents block had signs warning you not to leave valuables in your car.