Boys Hall

Stay at Boys Hall in Kent and you won’t forget it. That’s because this elegant restaurant with rooms offers something for all of your senses. For starters, the sight of this Grade II-listed mansion house is pleasing. Its symmetrical gabled front facade is covered in wisteria which in season smells delicious. Step inside and there’s another aroma – a signature scent that’s diffused through every room. The sound is similarly ever-present – chilled music quietly playing from vintage-style Robert’s radios. There are tactile surfaces everywhere: velveteen upholstery, bannisters worn smooth over centuries and gnarly beams over your head. And the taste? Well, that’s from the restaurant downstairs. It’s seasonal, local and fresh.

There are just nine guest bedrooms in this Jacobean house, which dates from 1616 and has been renovated in a way that’s made sure history has been honoured, not lost. Bathrooms are as modern and light as you could wish for, yet many of the bedrooms and communal spaces feature antiques and artwork that reference the age of the place. You feel that most in the master suite, the Bishop’s Quarter, where you’ll find ornate panelling on the walls and leaded mullion windows looking out to the garden. It also has a generously proportioned bathroom with a statement rolltop bathtub and generous walk-in shower.

For centuries, this place was the family home to the Boys family. Charles I and Samuel Pepys are said to be among those who stayed there. It’s only just started welcoming paying overnight guests. As such, Boys Hall provides a level of style and hospitality that's perfectly in keeping with present-day expectations. Alongside the retained period features, there are plump cushions, modern fabrics, and walls painted in pewter greens and dusky pinks. There are plants in every room and subtle lighting in hallways as well as bedrooms. Notably, there are no TVs. This is a place to read a book, sink into a bath and enjoy conversation. Tea, coffee and toiletries are lovely and locally sourced – which means they were made in Kent.

You’ll find Boys Hall, its rooms, restaurant and pub (yes – it has its own watering hole!) in Ashford – a handy location if you’re on the way to the Continent via the Eurostar. But it's also a terrific place for a weekend stay out of London, about an hour away by road or rail. It’s also a central spot if you want to explore Kent’s vineyards, castles and coast. But of course, you could just simply stay and enjoy the sounds, scents and unmistakable style of Boys Hall.