Guest Comments

Though we have only been here for four years, people are beginning to return again and again, for the kindness, good food, lovely food and all the many things to see and do in these parts. Here are some of their comments.

Comments: Uplands House is a box of treats. Our overnight stop has been the best start to the holiday we could imagine. We arrived after a horrendous Christmas journey of about three hours up the M40 on December 23rd. We should have been there for tea, but when we finally arrived it was nearly time for dinner. We were crotchety and exhausted. But Poppy, our beaming hostess, arrived to greet us. “Would you like a glass of Champagne?” she asked. Would we! All tempers dissipated as if by magic. We were shown to the most comfortable of rooms, had a long relaxing bath with lovely Duchy Original toiletries, and then came down to sit beside a roaring fire, where further glasses were proffered, and nuts and dips and crisps. When everybody was gathered, (about 8 of us, including two people we knew, and their 6 month old baby) we were ushered into the dining room. There a feast awaited us. First we had a lovely dish of smoked salmon and salad and prawns, and then a most fabulous joint of rare beef, with organic leeks, carrots and potatoes just that afternoon dug up from the garden. The wine to go with it was a Ducru Beaucaillou 1988. A beautiful fruit salad came next, and home made vanilla ice cream, with a dessert wine - Lafaurie Peraguey 1996. This was followed by English cheeses – so splendid we had to try everything. Then we returned to the fireside for coffee, chocolates and home made sloe gin. This had all been rather unexpectedly special. In the morning we had the most delicious breakfast cooked by Graham, and following a vigorous game of football on the lawn with nephews and nieces, we were persuaded to stay for lunch. We enjoyed yet another superb meal, joined by in-laws and out-laws and all sorts, and we felt we had entered the heart of a very welcoming family, and come to the heaven of the bon viveur for 24 hours. We continued our journey in excellent spirits. What a beautiful hostess, what a house, what style, what finesse! Fabulous! Charlotte and Ben 24 December.

Comments: This is just a brief thank you to Poppy and Graham for their generous attitude and most charming manner during our recent stay. In the course of my 45 odd years at work I stayed in dozens if not hundreds of hotels and guest houses etc. I can honestly say that our time at Uplands was a unique experience putting all other such establishments into a very distant second place.. The ambience that Poppy and Graham create is simply a one off and unrivalled resulting in a remarkably enjoyable experience. Their expertise in putting all guests of different backgrounds and nationalities at ease with one another is a remarkable gift which is to be prized. From the moment we arrived we were as one of the family. We were immediately made to relaxin a most pleasantly disarming way and soon discovered that nothing was too much trouble. The house is charming and spotlessly clean containing a labyrinth of interesting artefax. It is to our regret that as we were visiting in order to attend the British Grand Prix we were unable to spend more time in their fascinating company. Hopefully there will be another opportunity before too long. Kind Regards from Julie and Mick

Comments: The perfect weekend. You looked after us so well, everything was just great - our every comfort provided for, wonderful food, drink and company. Thank you for letting us bring the dogs. Sue and Geoff. North London

Comments: Arrived in grand style in ancient car. Champagne went straight to our heads. In spite of this we managed to draw at Croquet. After that it was all a blur, but dancing to ‘Greatest Hits’ by Queen, great food and company - a marvellous evening. Nick & Olwen Bell.Oxford.

Comments: I took so many pictures for our Magazine “Mr Partner” in Japan because your house, your food, and you are so wonderful. Lovely! The rooms are decorated with many interesting items collected from around the world, by several generations. England offers a very mature vegetable garden culture. If you want delicious high class vegetables Poppy creates the most exquisite dishes both in taste and smell from what we gathered that evening. Her very fresh organic produce doesn’t need much flavouring, beyond a little salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. I must say the rosemary and garlic from the garden are very superior to what can be bought. At breakfast try the excellent selection of jams and marmalade, home made of course. I strongly recommend this place. Naoki Numahath, Tokyo.

Comments: My ‘Garden Therapy’ weekend started with a glass of Champagne! It has been a fabulous time and I am very proud of my achievements and look forward to consuming the produce on my next visit. I enjoyed my master class on making hot raspberry soufflé, and will never forget all your many kindnesses. Thank you so much for everything. If happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast in the garden, watching chaffinches, greenfinches and a greater spotted woodpecker at the nuts, then my stay at Uplands was sublime! G.T.London

Comments: Although our visit was ‘official’ we were made to quickly to feel at home with lively discussion and wonderful food and wine – that we leave refreshed and invigorated as from a memorable holiday. Our thanks to Poppy and Graham for their hospitality and meticulous attention to detail... Liz Harmer and Peter Chester. Wolsey Lodges, Norfolk.

Comments: What an inspirational two days in the Cotswolds! We arrived in pouring rain, but the weather was soon forgotten with the wonderful welcome, warm blueberry cake and tea by the fire! There were fresh flowers everywhere - peonies, delphiniums, flocks - and a pair of cornucopia on every mantlepiece. Our room, with every comfort we could wish for, overlooked the beautiful parkland with too many sheep to count. The garden was ablaze with colourful borders, scented lavender, climbing roses and honeysuckle, and the music of running water, and we lost count of how many wild birds we saw. Every sort of vegetable and berry seemed ripe for the plucking. Poppy cooked us simply delicious meals with apparently effortless grace, and happily shared the recipies with us. Graham was a most entertaining host, a source of information about a multitude of things, and so attentive to our every need. Our days were planned with a storehouse of local knowledge at our disposal, and nothing was too much trouble. There was a congenial background of gentle teasing banter, and an infectious loving gaiety between our hosts, so that though we came as strangers, when we left, we felt we were lifelong friends. A treat not to be missed. We will be back!" Charles and Rosie Bradley, Paris.

Comments: Warmth, elegance, friendly, fun. We were so comfortable, we didn't want to go! The food was tasty, interesting and very well presented. Thankyou E&S Turceninoff .

Comments: The most fabulous B&B experience we have ever had - many thanks to you both

Comments: What a find! Discreet, up a long tree lined drive, wonderfully hidden away, very warm friendly welcome, yummy cake for tea, a game of badminton on the lawn with our hosts, dinner truly a tour des gourmets with smoked salmon, black pasta with pink prawns and coriander and salad we picked in the vegetable garden, and raspberry fool with an obscene amount of double cream. The Rose Garden room was very romantic, with candles to light in the bathroom, lovely soft towels and bathroom goodies, and we fell asleep to the sounds of the bubbling brook outside. The breakfast was the best we have ever had. Thank you for everything. Diana and Paul.

Comments: lovely comfortable beds, fabulous company and food. We will be back. Thank you Julie & Sean Sutton.

Comments: We enjoyed it so much we had to stay another night! Wonderfully welcoming, perfect hospitality - good conversation, delicious food, gracious hosts, and lovely countryside, really comfortable beds - the perfect break. You are a lovely couple and we look forward to staying with you soon. Lyn & Tom.

Comments: A delightful and beautiful home, lovely views, and the first time we've been served wild strawberries in October! A lovely atmosphere, our baby Mariesole was the first baby to visit here. Truly international conversation at dinner!
Andrea & Cecilie Rome.

Comments: This house is blessed with a personal and warm feel that touches the heart of every visitor. Darren Smith

Comments: Lovely visit - Thanks for the wonderful hospitality and such comfort everywhere. Ron & Ina Hoover Charleston. USA.

Comments: Poppy is the most charming hostess you could ever wish to meet. She treated us as if we were family. Her home is beautiful, conversation enthralling and her cuisine exquisite. Many, many thanks for your hospitality, we will be back.  Alice & Howard Abbott x

Comments: A very pampering relaxing stay in a fabulous location with great hosts. Gorgeous food, toffee cake was delicious. It felt like we were on holiday. Arrived in business mode but left totally unwound. All the little touches were greatly appreciated. You have created a wonderful atmosphere. Natalie and Nathan Shackleton.

Comments: What a magnificent retreat into the Cotswolds this is! The warmth, the beauty, the comforts (bedding that wraps itself round you and makes you feel loved,) the food, the fine wines are all beyond comparison. I searched high and lo for a respite like this, and lo, it found me. Poppy and Graham, I love you both. Thank you for these days. Steve, Lonsdale, USA

Comments: Oh what joy to drop in on "friends" for the weekend. I can honestly say I have never stayed anywhere where I have been treated as one of the family from the word go. And what an evening - typical summer - with croquet, dinner on the terrace and even badminton to finish - all with a fantastic view over the lavender and Ha-Ha to the parkland beyond. Thank you both so much for a wonderful respite from noisy engines! And not forgetting the Polish connection. Philip Methuen, Lymington, Hants,

Comments: Hooray! At last I have found the perfect watering hole! It was a pleasure to stay with you, and thank you for the most excellent dinner. Lord Napier and Ettrick KCVO, Wylie, Wiltshire.

Comments: Had a wonderful time here at Uplands with Poppy and Graham. The lovely welcoming sight and aromas of the kitchen and the Chinese screen as you walk into the hall, the flowing wine and champagne, the making of the runny chocolate pudding together and its consumption, and of course the delightful company made my first New Year away from home an unforgettable experience. Dervilla O’Dwyer. Ireland

Comments: Our New Year’s eve at Uplands was memorable, the hospitality that flowed through the evening was fantastic and the impromptu dinner party was a great success and so very enjoyable. All the cornucopia were filled with flowers from the garden! and I felt especially honoured by being brought breakfast in bed. Your thoughtfulness makes everyone feel special. Acton, London