Lainston House

Picture-perfect country house in historic Winchester.

Sweeping into the courtyard of Lainston House is a visual treat. Flower-filled archways and loggias frame the entrance of this elegant 17 century country house hotel, set in 63 acres of rolling Hampshire parkland.

From Our Guestbook

More from our Guestbook »

Know It All

Hit the spot
On the outskirts of historic Winchester.

Come here for...
• A taste of the Hampshire high life. • Champagne afternoon teas – on the terrace or in the drawing room. • Walks in the beautiful 63 acre grounds.

Amenities
There are two tennis courts and a gym, plus bicycles at your disposal to pedal through the grounds. You'll also find a croquet lawn and selection of board games. The Cedar bar is the place for cocktails, while the Avenue restaurant looks over the hotel's avenue of lime trees.

Good to know
Weddings are held here most weekends, but they are held in the barn and should not disturb you.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms
27 rooms and 23 suites.

Special features
Rooms are individually styled and come with a pillow menu to ensure softest slumbers. Many suites have four poster beds, together with either rolltop or infinity baths and walk-in rainfall showers.

Pillow Talk
Junior suites combine the best in luxe and affordability – many come with an infinity bath, tile TV or jacuzzi tub for two. Plump for one of the suites if your plastic will take the strain  We loved Wolvsey, with its fabulous views and steam room shower, and Delft, with its triple windows framing the grand avenue of lime trees.

Eat & Drink

Dining in
Look forward to a seasonally influenced menu of British food with a contemporary twist at Lainston House’s Avenue restaurant, showcasing the talents of award-winning chef Andy Mackenzie. Signature dishes include belly of pork served with pressed beetroot, chard puree and cider sauce, while delicious desserts include Lainston honeycomb parfait served with a lemon and rosemary Madeleine. 

Lainston’s kitchen garden is bursting with fresh produce and trees laden with damsons, figs and apricots. You can enjoy al fresco summer dining on a sheltered terrace overlooking the lime tree avenue.

Lainston House serves fabulous afternoon teas (complete with champagne), and the picnic hamper menu is just as tempting. Staff will pack you a de-lish hamper packed with goodies (and a bottle of champagne, of course) and even provide deckchairs for you to languish undert the trees on a warm summer's afternoon.

Breakfast
Served until 10:00.

Room service
Available 24 hours.

Activities

See & Do
Play croquet or boules on the lawn, and pick up a walking trail map or mountain bike from reception to explore the grounds. Have a game of tennis or simply watch rabbits at play in the grounds.

The heritage cathedral city of Winchester, with its antique shops and pubs, is just down the road. The New Forest lies within easy reach, and you can rattle through the Hampshire countryside on a steam train from the nearby Georgian town of Alresford.

Spa
There’s a gym for working out, and in-room spa treatments can be arranged on request.

Diary dates
June/July
Enjoy some summertime music at the Grange Park Opera in nearby Alresford.

September
Splash into all things nautical at the Southampton Boat Show.