When picking a place to live there are a number of things that house buyers often look for. Good schools, low crime rates and lots of green space all regularly come at the top of the wish list.
But another consideration for foodies who also enjoy a tipple is making sure there are great places to eat and drink. Hampton in Arden is one such place. Not only is it a stunning little rural village, but tucked away in one of its country houses – now a five star hotel – is Michelin starred restaurant Grace & Savour.
Indeed the acclaimed eaterie clinched the top spot for places to eat in the UK in 2023 according to SquareMeal’s Top 100 Restaurants.
Other places to dine in the village include quaint country pub The White Lion Inn – where you can also stay over if you so fancy – and gastropub Soho Tavern.
Living in the cute village doesn’t come cheap – and properties in Hampton had an overall average price of £489,262 over the last year. This compares to an overall UK average of £284,950.
Lifestyle blogger, Hero Brown, is a fan of the picture perfect village – saying that a main plus point is it’s a rural idyll but within easy reach of the bustling city of Birmingham, which takes just 13 minutes on the train from its very own station.
She said: “Want a slice of village life? You can’t go far wrong with Hampton, packed full of rural character despite being a hop, skip and a jump to the city via train, making it a popular option for commuters who crave a little pastoral idyll.
“The 12th century church, imposing Hampton Manor (once home to Sir Robert Peel, now a primo foodie destination) and mediaeval packhorse bridge all give Hampton a historical air.”
Hampton in Arden is located in the Forest of Arden in the Solihull area of the West Midlands and is nestled in the Meriden Gap – an area of countryside between Solihull and Coventry.
In 1968 the central part of the village was designated a Conservation Area which means there are special protections in place to make sure that its special character and appearance are preserved.
Those who have treated themselves to a meal at Grace & Savour have been taking to trip review site TripAdvisor to talk about their experience – and it seems many have been impressed.
One said: “Had the 15 course taster menu for our anniversary. Every bite was incredible, packed with flavour, innovative and exciting.”
Another agreed with the five star verdict.
They said: “Great service, remarkable food and a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere. What’s not to like?”
“We’re delighted to see Grace and Savour go from strength to strength,” they added.
