Berkshire

THE LOWDOWN



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant.jpeg" alt="Hurley-House-Restaurant" class="wp-image-42161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-Restaurant-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Hurley House is a chic boutique bolthole&nbsp;a smidge outside the picturesque riverside village of Hurley. It&#8217;s luxurious yet laidback, with 9 stunning bedrooms, a swish restaurant and stylish bar. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign.jpg" alt="Hurley House Maidenhead berkshire" class="wp-image-42163" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Hurley-House-sign-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Hurley House&nbsp;is&nbsp;nestled between&nbsp;Marlow and Henley with the Chiltern Hills just to the north. It&#8217;s really&nbsp;pretty and the Thames path provides lots of great walks (occasionally muddy ones) plus&nbsp;you&#8217;re close to Ascot Racecourse, Stonor Park, Windsor Castle and the gastronomic haven of Bray.&nbsp;But the biggest draw is&nbsp;the exquisite food,&nbsp;featuring incredible dishes with&nbsp;flavours that pack a punch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1.jpg" alt="Hurley House Hotel restaurant 1000x666" class="wp-image-41062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hurley-House-Hotel-restaurant-1000x666-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You&#8217;re not going to find&nbsp;a rich history here, but there&#8217;s plenty of character in the bar and restaurant areas. Every detail&#8217;s been thought of to create a&nbsp;feeling of being cocooned in a&nbsp;country inn. If the history nerds get restless, pack them off&nbsp;into the village to get their&nbsp;Time Team fix at the 11th-century priory. I love a crumbling wreck, but my head&#8217;s been turned by modern rustic loveliness and, until I check out, all eyes are on the drinks, food and divine décor.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2836" height="1762" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1.jpg" alt="Hurley House Hotel Berkshire beamed bar stone floor industrial lights" class="wp-image-26099" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1.jpg 2836w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1-150x93.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1-300x186.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1-768x477.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/01/Hurley-House-Bar-1-720x447.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 2836px) 100vw, 2836px" /></figure>



The first thing you notice? The place is spotless. I challenge you to find anything from a speck of dust to a dirty mark on the wall. Inside you&#8217;ll find a stylish bar area full of comfy sofas and wingback chairs arranged around a toasty wood burner. There&#8217;s loads of exposed brick, a mix of industrial and art deco style lighting and a dimly-lit dining room with green banquettes.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2.jpg" alt="Hurley House Hotel Exterior topiary Hs" class="wp-image-25958" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Hurley-House-Hotel-Exterior-2-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The&nbsp;garden is perfect for the summer months,&nbsp;with plenty of seating&nbsp;and an outside bar area to encourage yet more loafing when the weather warms up.&nbsp;The proximity of a fairly busy main road is the only downer, but you don&#8217;t notice any passing traffic&nbsp;once inside. And by the time you realise you&#8217;ll probably be on your third gin anyway *hic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10.png" alt="HURLEY HOUSE KITCHEN WINDOW" class="wp-image-42173" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-10-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



If you’re looking for a fab rural hangout that’s big on comfort, relaxation, and lush food, this is it. In fact, the restaurant is a destination in its own right, serving International dishes and superb sushi. Our last visit was a Sunday lunchtime, so the menu is a bit different to the weekday. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10.png" alt="Tempura Prawn Hurley House Berkshire" class="wp-image-42175" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-10-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There is a seasonal roast on the menu. Just one. A bold and courageous move, but shows confidence and probably sets it apart from local pubs. Roast haters will be in clover. The menu has an international, family friendly with a good selection of classics, pizzas and the Japanese menu. You can mix and match to your heart&#8217;s desire. 



I&#8217;m a ride or die roast lover (30-day aged beef right now). The rest of my family, not so much. So having so much flexibility was a game changer. We dipped out toe into the Japanese menu to start with Tempura Prawns (£12) and sea salted Edamame (£5) for ealy grazing. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8.png" alt="Hurley House Hotel Bekrshire Roast Beef" class="wp-image-42164" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-8-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Onto the mains, Roast beef sirloin (£34), served with not one but two Yorkshire Puddings and A pretty plate of root veg (top ups available if you&#8217;re up for the challenge). The bone marrow gravy was truly stunning, and the other diners were luck we didn&#8217;t start drinking it from the job. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9.png" alt="HURLEY HOUSE MAIDENeAD BERKSHIRE PIZZA" class="wp-image-42165" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/2-9-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



My youngest, opted for pizza (£15) – what kid wouldn&#8217;t? The same love was put into the humble dish. He might not have noticed, but I did. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8.png" alt="HURLEY HOUSE CREME BRULEE" class="wp-image-42166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/3-8-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Anyone for pud? *Raises hand. While we taking a culinary tour or the UK, Japan and Italy, I went for a classic Tiramisu and the other half did a puddling fly by to France with a classic Créme Brulée with a cheeky sprinkling of fresh berries to cut through thIS, beautifully caramelised creamy custard. It&#8217;s their bestseller and for good reason. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-42168" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/5-9-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Word of warning: the Tiramisu is pretty big and very rich. It&#8217;s creamy, gives you that caffeine hit, with a hit of booziness. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9.png" alt="HURLEY HOUSEW CHOCOLATES AND DRY ICE" class="wp-image-42167" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/4-9-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Just when we thought we had finished, a bowl of chocolate truffles we delivered to the table in a fog of dry ice like they were performing on Star In Your Eyes. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10.png" alt="Wine cupboard Hurley House Maidenhead Berkshire" class="wp-image-42171" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/6-10-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s worth noting that Hurley House has a very good wine list. The Pinot Noir by the glass was very good and the alcohol-free bubbles on arrival a nice touch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9.png" alt="Hurley House Maidenhead Berkshire" class="wp-image-42176" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/1-9-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Special occasions for families, couples and groups of friends. Foodies and lovers of a little luxe in their lives. Not all good restaurants cater for kids so it&#8217;s nice to see that the whole family is welcome here without having to make awkward requests.



Not for:&nbsp;Those on a tight budget. You pay a premium for quality food and finishes.



£££: Fancy restaurant prices, NOT local pub prices (unless it holds a Michelin star). But for the overall quality, it&#8217;s worth the extra.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hurley House (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hurleyhouse.co.uk/https://hurleyhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hurley House</a>, Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire SL6 5LH; tel&nbsp;01628 568500

Review: Hurley House, Hurley

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