The Rectory - Wiltshire

Sunday was disappointing. The waitress was friendly and the conservatory welcoming. However we all found it rather pretentious. The descriptions of the dishes on the menu were quite convoluted and not comprehensive enough, and some were misleading. The starters were mediocre, and The venison was good, but the pork described merely as Heritage Pork, was very fatty with little, if any, edible meat, and resembled pork belly, Both who had this dish were not at all impressed. On being asked by a waiter how the meals were we told him of our disappointment, showed him the large amount of fat meat left, and he assured us that our comments would be passed on to the chef for feedback which has not happened. We were all very disappointed

For starters, we all enjoyed the Devon Crab Linguine with preserved lemon, chilli, and parsley, priced at £17 each. The dish was expertly prepared, with just the right amount of chilli to add a bit of heat without overwhelming the delicate flavors of the fresh crab. Most of us chose the Turbot dulse with shrimp butter, mussels, and jersey royals as our main course, priced at £33. The fish was cooked perfectly, with a firm texture, and the parsley sauce was so delicious that we couldn't resist asking for spoons to savor every last drop. I opted for the Iberico Suckling Pig with fresh borlotti beans, fennel, and artichoke for £32, and it was a culinary triumph. The meat was incredibly tender and moist, with crispy crackling on top. However, the standout dish of the evening was the Rhubarb and custard crumble souffle priced at £10, which truly met Michelin standards. To accompany our meal, we enjoyed a delightful organic Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand priced at £39, as well as a generous glass of Montepulciano red for £10.50. Two aspects of the dining experience that stood out were the complimentary bread basket filled with warm, crusty homemade sourdough and a service charge of just 10%. In conclusion, we were thoroughly impressed with the superb dinner prepared by a chef at the peak of his craft. With a total bill of £327.80, we felt that we received excellent value for the exceptional quality of food and service we enjoyed.

We decided to visit this restaurant based on a recommendation, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a mistake compared to other dining options in the Cotswolds. When we arrived, no one greeted us, giving us a negative first impression. However, we took the opportunity to explore the reception area. Despite there being no sign outside, we realized we were in the right place due to the attractive interior with a modern twist and views of the garden. The Orecciette Venison ragout starter was decent, although the pasta was a bit heavy and the sauce lacked flavor. The Seabass with mussels and Gremolata sauce main dish was disappointing: the plate and oily/buttery broth were too hot, and despite containing the essential Gremolata ingredients, it did not resemble the sauce at all. The dish consisted of overcooked fish and mussels without an option for side dishes. The Creme Brulee dessert with winter fruits was overly sweet and reminiscent of a school cafeteria meal. Additionally, the waitress served our food while wearing a stained apron, which was unappetizing. Despite promising menu descriptions, the food failed to meet our expectations, leaving us feeling dissatisfied.

Well what a find ! This place has very little signage so is well hidden in the village ….even the main entrance has no indication of where you are !!! BUT once inside staff brilliant food excellent and service superb … can’t fault it ….

We had heard so much about The Rectory and being devoid of our youngest decided to revisit parts of Cotswolds South, around Tetbury and Cirencester, where we used to live. The welcome was strange. As others have written, signage is not obvious. Front of house was cold perhaps we were going to get in the way but we didn't feel that welcome. Room appeared nice of which more later. We went for a walk around the grounds adjacent to the church hence the name of the hotel. We did wonder if the hotel had been a school? Some of the layout felt as if the building had been reimagined from another use?? We dressed for dinner other diners were a mix of smart to very casual. Pre dinner drinks were taken in the lounge. The atmosphere was distinctly chilly others commented on this too. But the heating was soon turned on and extra logs added to the fire. Dinner taken in the conservatory was good for carnivores, less good for veggies/vegans. On heading up to bed it was clear that the warning in the hotel bedroom welcome guide as to the old nature of the building was spot on. There is quite a lot of noise given the creaks from old timbers and people moving about above and below. Things did settle down eventually as other guests headed to bed. Breakfast was very good. Overall, not bad but not as super as some other reviewers think. But then again, takes all kinds to make a world go around!!