Spontaneous lunches are always a fabulous idea in my book. After an hour in the gym, Hubby and I were suitably famished so set off in search of local food.

Hogarths is situated just outside Solihull, West Midlands and sits in 30 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and woodlands (it even has a secret private island for weddings!)

When you arrive, after following the long driveway to the entrance, you are greeted by Mr Gilroy. This steel sculpture by Ray Lonsdale is breathtakingly beautiful and placed as a stark reminder of how the horrors of war changed young people forever. I’m told it’s one of Hogarths most photographed features.

Mr Gilroy isn’t Hogarths only sculpture; in fact there are many contemporary pieces of art throughout the hotel and grounds. I noticed that apples are a common theme, with each piece as individual as the next.

The staff are welcoming and quietly attentive giving the whole place a relaxed, yet proficient atmosphere.

The hotel itself has a fresh, vibrant feel to it with a bright colour scheme incorporating purples, pinks and lime green. Trust me – it works.

The restaurant (Bar8 brasserie) and hotel have won a number of awards over the years including Good Hotel in 2015 and Midlands winner of hotel restaurant of the year.

We sat in the champagne bar, with fabulous lighting (which was needed as it was a grey and miserable wet day) and started with a coffee.

The restaurant has a full A la Carte menu whilst the bar boasts a great selection of sandwiches, hot things, light bites and afternoon teas. Hubby and I both settled for a fish finger with tartar sauce sandwich…

…and the most amazing triple cooked, not to mention enormous chips that were perfectly crispy on the outside whilst light and fluffy inside.

I can recommend Hogarths if you’re in the neighbourhood –  we fully enjoyed our impromptu lunch and have even been back in the last week to partake of the fish fingers again!

Hogarths

Four Ashes Road
Dorridge, Solihull
West Midlands
B93 8QE

This meal was not complimentary and I did not receive any reward for this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own and all photographs were taken by me unless otherwise stated.