It was late in the evening and the sun had set hours before, now the sky was inky black and the only source of light was from the moon. I drove through sleepy villages and winding country roads until I reached the gates of Dragonwood Boat House. I immediately knew that it would be extraordinary.
Hundreds of glowing white fairy lights illuminated the drive way like fireflies. I instantly felt as though I had been transported into a fairytale. The Dragonwood Boat House is a hidden gem, nestled in 15 acres of luscious private grounds just outside of Oakham, Rutland.
Oakham is the idyllic country dream. It lies to the west of Rutland Water, one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe. There is much to see and do, such as; wildlife tours, romantic cycle rides and various country estate activities, including; archery, shooting and fishing.
The boathouse itself has been built in the grand Victorian-style and is the perfect romantic bolthole for two. The interior of Dragonwood is a whimsical contrast to the traditional façade yet nonetheless spectacular. Inside it is a marriage of vibrant colour and contemporary fixtures. The interiors are typical of Harlequin design and boast a rainbow of jewel-like hues carefully sourced from Milan.
There is a fully equipped open plan kitchen with everything you could wish for and more, such as; a lime green fridge, Nespresso coffee machine, electric cooker, hob, microwave and dishwasher. It is perfect place to make use of the fresh farm produce that Rutland is so famous for. Whether it is at the famed Hambleton Bakery or seasonal fruit and vegetables, there is something for everyone. For those that would rather skip the cooking, a marvellous in-house chef is available via La Belle Assiette is who is available to prepare a delicious meal for two and then clean up afterwards.
The master suite offers sprawling views of the incredible grounds from vast floor-to-ceiling windows. The crown jewel of the suite is an opulent handcrafted Italian suede super king-size bed, adorned with the finest crisp French linens. There is an en-suite wet room with a spacious rain shower and sparkling walls that are studied with a mosaic of gems.
It is so peaceful that the only sound emitted is from the roaring fire that crackles in the living room. There is also underfloor heating, so you couldn’t ask for a cosier haven that feels a million miles away from the outside world. On the coffee table, there was a luxurious wicker hamper, with an array of goodies, including; gourmet chocolate, fine red wine and hazelnut shortbread.
After the most luxuriously uninterrupted sleep, I woke early and eagerly drew the curtains. Golden sunlight flooded the room and I was met with the most magnificent view of rolling emerald fields and woodlands. The sky was powder blue and cloudless and the warm sun reflected off of the calm waters of the private lake.
It was too beautiful to resist, so I took a hot mug of tea and a warm croissant and ate outside with only the company of the butterflies and the birds that were singing softly in the trees. It was the most magical of mornings, I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.
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