Near the manor born: eating "local" in the English countryside

"Eat local." It's a delicious idea and there's a bushel of reasons why: the food's fresher and more flavourful; you can give back to your community's economy; and you can be kind to the environment, since less energy is required to transport the food. But for on-the-go city dwellers, the reality of eating local often means grabbing a street dog between meetings or a pizza slice on the way home.


Imagine taking a holiday from processed food of unknown origin and truly living off the land. Now there is a place you could savour gooey cheeses, crisp salad leaves and tender pork sourced less than 50 miles from your plate. On the rolling estate of Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, just an hour from London, eating local is a culinary way of life.


In the village of Mapledurwell, just seven miles away, verdant watercress fills the fields — and eventually your bowl, in the Hotel's signature Watercress Soup. Double-cream butter is churned specially for Four Seasons a mere 46 miles away. And as for rich meats, beef and lamb are raised on the property itself; it doesn't get much more local than that.


The celebrated Seasons restaurant has even created a Farmers' Market Brunch to showcase the most delectable local produce. The meal's ingredients — from the eggs to the marmalade — have travelled a total of no more than 500 miles to reach the Hotel's kitchen, a short trip compared to the 35,000 miles logged by the average Sunday lunch in the UK.


So if you're salivating for a taste of what "home cooking" really means, take a peek at all that Seasons has to offer.


Seasons
Seasons offers inspired menu selections and a thoughtfully chosen wine list of popular vintages. This elegant restaurant features a French/European menu, executed with contemporary style and complemented by outstanding service. The interior design takes full advantage of the abundant natural daylight cascading through the French windows, which frame the beautiful grounds of Dogmersfield Park. An outdoor terrace is also available seasonally for breakfast and lunch. Seats 100.

Seasons benefits from an adjacent private dining room. Seasons Salon Privé is an ideal location for groups or parties of up to 24. Menus can be individually catered for each event, and à la carte restaurant menus are also available.