Rhinefield House a New Forest jewel (From Hampshire Society)

Rhinefield House a New Forest jewel

4:04pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009

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When it comes to escaping it all, I’m one of those people who immediately think of long plane journeys and sunnier climes.

Being able to switch off from the normal day to day and completely relax can surely only come with at least one week abroad where the climate, and the language, is different?

Not so, it seems, as I found out after just one night away – a mere ten miles from my front door.

Our trip to the New Forest’s Rhinefield House was the first night my friend had spent away from home since the birth of her baby boy. And it’s fair to say the prospect of exchanging the daily chores – including the washing, cooking and dirty nappies – was greeted with much excitement.

Eager to begin the 24-hour break for freedom, we set off on our journey at lunchtime and took in a country pub on the way so we could start our girlie mini-break in style.

Fed, watered and refreshed, we were back in the car for just a matter of minutes before we took the turning deep into the New Forest National Park where, nestled between towering conifers and pine trees, was the spectacular country house we were to call home that night.

Steeped in history, during the latter half of the last century, Rhinefield was used as a school before being sold to a hotel chain in the early 1980s. It has since changed hands a couple of times and the four-star retreat, which was built in 1887, now thrives as one of a small number of idyllic hotels for the Hand Picked Hotels group.

The grand building is set in some of the most breathtaking surroundings, which we were later to explore on foot.

Our walking boots and raincoats (precautionary, but unnecessary) on, we set about tackling a tiny patch of the 40 acres of woodland that surrounds Rhinefield before returning for a dip in the pool and spa to unwind aching muscles.

Having savoured a refreshing G&T in our room – one of 50 individually named after a bird – as we looked out on the squirrels darting about in the trees, we headed to one of the hotel’s plushest restaurants, the Armada, for dinner.

Part of the beauty of Rhinefield is its passion for fabulous food, where chef David Kinners and his team endeavour to use local produce to create signature dishes to die for.

Presented beautifully, we both opted for the same main course – the finest beef with the most decadent of sauces – and shared a selection of desserts, including a delicious lavender ice cream.

The wine list was one of the most accomplished I’ve seen, which without the personal recommendations of our waiter who expertly produced a bottle tailor made for our meals, would have been a minefield.

We finished our evening with a cocktail each in the Lounge Bar, selected and created by our waiter for whom they were personal favourites.

When you wake up in the morning feeling truly relaxed – and not wanting to leave – you know you’ve found a good place.

Rhinefield House proved to me you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to escape the every day – you just need to know what’s on your doorstep.

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