The Admiral Hornblower — Restaurant in England

Didn't know whether I should write a review as we didn't complain whilst we were there but in hindsight I decided to. Previously, we have been coming here for years mainly as a Sunday lunch customer, and the food has always been brilliant, well worth the drive from Peterborough to Oakham and we have always recommended to friends and family you must go and try it! However we came here for Sunday lunch a few months ago and it wasn't really up to the normal standard, we thought, oh well, must have been an off day and put it down to that. Last Sunday, we decided to go again and treat one of my daughters and our grandson, we all chose the carvery, well the food had sunk to an all time low, the new potatoes were soggy and overcooked, the roasties were cremated, the carrots and cabbage was not cooked at all, couldn't even get a fork in them they were so tough, yorkshire puddings so dried up you go to cut and shoots off the plate like a biscuit and so on, the beef was also too well done, the turkey was however ok. I don't know what has changed there, whether it's the ownership of the place or management or just the chef's, but at one time unless you booked in advance for Sunday lunch, it was so popular, you wouldn't get in, now, when I rang up to book giving only 1 hrs notice I was told just come in, no need to book, and when we did get there the restaurant only had a few in it compared to normal, maybe, this is saying something??! Sadly, we don't think we will ever dine there again. Summary, pleasant staff, terrible food! we all went home with almost empty stomachs. Come on Admiral Hornblower,...

Third wonderful stay Jan 2019

Thank you for making our stay so marvellous. Made very welcome by every member of staff from the moment we entered. Nothing we asked for was too much trouble.

Our room was warm. Bed comfortable and clean with crisp white sheets and bedding. Extra heater and cool fan in the room. Bathroom immaculate with toiletries. Tea and coffee making facilities excellent with selection of teas, instant coffee, hot chocolate and a lovely touch of fresh coffee and a cafetière. Even though in the courtyard there was limited noise from cars.

The food was excellent. We ate from the lunch menu of burger and fries, olives and feta, and a beautiful wookeyhole cheddar cob. The evening was was superb having the beef with buttery potatoe cake. The chocolate torte with blood orange sorbet is mouthwatering. Breakfast was a good choice of cereals, fruit, juices and afterwards a full menu all cooked fresh. English breakfast cooked perfectly with the best poached eggs I’ve been served in a long time.

The Hornblower itself is decorated lovely and has various rooms and snugs to be sociable or quiet. The JHB was beautiful and went down easy. Whisky selection good for a nightcap. There is a good selection of ales.

Everyone worked really hard and I was impressed by the level of service and care. Staff were happy with a good sense of humour and easy to talk to. All in all I wouldn’t change a thing other than I would have liked another...

Oakham Our second visit this summer (room 4) and it was just as good. A beautiful traditional Inn/hotel in the centre of town with a small, rather complicated parking reach by going down past Tesco’s and under an arch through what appears to be private houses, but it’s there. Promise! Very friendly staff. Everyone says hello as they pass. Our room is at the front with a very comfortable four poster. Rather small tv but tea/coffee facilities and a high back chair. Large bathroom with an excellent shower. If you like it very it quiet ask for a room at the back. There are a couple of charming, ultra modern rooms, ground floor, across the car park. No lift in the hotel. The road can be noisy and it’s a busy restaurant/pub, so don’t moan - and the floors creak like mad (yours and the floor above) but it’s still lovely Breakfast menu is extensive but, although it offers cereals and fruit at a buffet, no fruit this time or last. However, the food, breakfast and dinner, is fabulous with lovely, friendly service. There is a lovely garden area with heaters and rugs for the chilly evenings, unfortunately out of bounds for a chronic asthmatic as it is overrun with smokers, as is the area out front 😢 Otherwise a perfect spot with lovely walks and interesting shops....