There are places you return to time and time again, and then there are places that consistently exceed every expectation, no matter how often you visit. Tewkesbury Park firmly sits in the latter category. Having experienced everything from breakfast and brunch to spa days and overnight stays, it remains one of the finest hotels not just in the Cotswolds, but far, far beyond.

The best kind of laidback

And yet, Sunday lunch somehow still managed to surprise. As it always is, that unmistakable balance was there. Service at Tewkesbury Park is always paramount, truly faultless, but what makes it so special is how effortlessly it sits alongside a laidback, relaxed atmosphere. It is polished without ever feeling formal, attentive without ever being intrusive. It is a balance that very few places get right, and Tewkesbury Park does it better than most.

Flavour, flavour, flavour

The common thread running through every culinary experience at Tewkesbury Park has always been flavour, and this Sunday lunch didn’t just deliver, it underlined it in bold. Every element on our plates felt considered, confident, and deeply satisfying.

We opted for the vegetarian and vegan dishes, and they were exceptional. Not an afterthought, not a compromise, and certainly not a second-best option to the traditional roasts. These were dishes in their own right, full of depth, creativity and, above all, fantastic flavour. It is always telling when plant-based options feel just as exciting as anything else on the menu, and at Tewkesbury Park, they always do.

Fabulous starters

The meal began with a pair of starters that immediately set the tone for what was to come, vibrant, seasonal and full of flavour. The spring greens soup, made with broccoli, spinach, watercress and leek, was wonderfully fresh and nourishing, each ingredient bringing its own gentle depth, lifted beautifully by a slice of herby garlic sourdough that added warmth and richness. Alongside it, the “real” onion bhaji was a standout in its own right, a carefully balanced mix of red and spring onion, chive and leek, crisp on the outside and soft within, served with a perfectly tangy tamarind ketchup that brought everything together. It felt like a true celebration of local produce, thoughtfully prepared and full of character, a genuinely impressive start.

Magnificent mains

The mains only built on that promise. The heritage beetroot risotto was exceptional. Beetroot can often be delicate and understated, but here it was transformed into something bold and deeply flavourful, a true flavour bomb. Rich, earthy and beautifully balanced, it showed real skill to coax so much depth from such a subtle ingredient. Alongside it, the vegetarian wild mushroom, spinach and sweet potato masala curry pie was everything a Sunday lunch should be and more. Packed with warming spices and hearty, satisfying textures, it was elevated further by a luxurious truffle and almond korma sauce that added layers of indulgence. Served with all the trimmings, from homegrown roast potatoes crisped to perfection, to honey-glazed carrots, vibrant spring greens and Evesham tenderstem broccoli, every single element on the plate felt considered and full of flavour. Even the Yorkshire pudding held its own, completing a dish that managed to be both comforting and exciting, with each component bringing something special to the table.

And then came pudding

Our puddings were entirely unnecessary… and completely irresistible. Despite having no room whatsoever, we couldn’t say no to a tropical cheesecake and a rhubarb crumble. Both were out of this world A-MA-ZING. The cheesecake was light, vibrant and indulgent all at once, while the crumble delivered that perfect comforting balance of tartness and sweetness. The kind of desserts you remember long after the plates are cleared.

Let’s linger

Tewkesbury Park describes their Sunday lunch as “a Sunday Lunch worth lingering over”, and that couldn’t be more accurate. With sweeping views, beautifully seasonal dishes and that signature warm, easy hospitality, it is exactly the sort of experience that invites you to slow down and stay a little longer.

Whether you are a regular like us or visiting for the first time, Sunday lunch here is something truly special.

∙ BOOK YOUR SUNDAY LUNCH HERE ∙