The Ethicurean’s final summer before closure

On warmer days, guests can look over the sun-drenched Victorian walled garden whilst basking in the beautifully bright converted greenhouse that is the restaurant itself.

At The Ethicurean, your experience starts from the moment you walk through the front gates. With much of it kept a secret, diners are kept tantalised and surprised throughout their meal.

The restaurant, bar and terrace menus use produce from the entire site, including the gardens and orchard, making it one of the most magical places in the country to enjoy a warm, sunny day.

Menus change frequently with seasonal produce, nearly everything grown on the grounds themselves. Anything that’s brought in comes from a small radius.

In fact, 80-90% of all the fruit, veg and herbs come from the Victorian walled garden and orchard, which the restaurant overlooks, as well as produce sourced and foraged locally. The Ethicurean stays true to its ethos of British seasonality and cultivation, using the very best of its own natural larder to make truly beautiful, exciting and delicious dishes.

Everything is made in-house from homemade miso to vinegars to replace citrus. Even the crockery is made by local potters!

Mark, who did much of his professional training at the great River Cottage, meets with the Head Gardener multiple times a week in order to ensure the menus align perfectly with what is growing around them.

Although we don’t want to give too much away in terms of what’s on the summer menu – after all, it would spoil the element of surprise – diners can expect beautifully presented dishes such as Mushroom Broth and Lovage Oil; Onion, Whey, Blackcurrant Wood; Lamb, Asparagus and Nettle; and Koji Madeleine.

It’s not only the food that pays homage to the surroundings of The Ethicurean, the Libations menu is a celebration of the natural landscape, too. Great care is taken in the drinks pairings that not only compliment, but elevate the dishes served.

Showcasing a mix of the best natural and biodynamic wines, cocktails and the “no & low” drinks pairings, diners can look forward to hyper seasonal cocktails such as Fig and Oak Old Fashioned; Sea Buckthorne Margarita; and Marigold Negroni.

The growers and producers are of the upmost importance to Mark, Matthew and the rest of their team, and they have held incredibly close relationships with these local artisans for years – from Head Gardener Mark Cox to the local cheese makers. The meat and fish showcased on the menu is sourced from the very best sustainable suppliers around the UK and the fish is predominantly killed ‘ikejime’ (a Japanese method that maintains the quality of the meat), giving them the best possible quality of produce to celebrate.

After 13 superb years, the team has decided the time is right for them to bow out in October and move onto pastures new. Book your table via the button below this summer for one of the most memorable dining experiences of your life.

The Ethicurean is located around 30 minutes drive from Bristol city centre, so if you’re seeking somewhere close by to stay the night – The Ethicurean dining experience is around four hours – then consider Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House. Located on Frost Hill, it’s only an 11 minute drive from the restaurant.

Set in six acres of landscapaed gardens, it’s also just a short drive from Bristol Airport. This luxury hotel also features an on-site spa, which offers over 80 treatments as well as a sauna and indoor pool.

The hotel boasts 132 unique bedrooms consisting of two Executive Loft Suites, one Panoramic Suite and three Junior Suites. There are 12 Double Family Rooms and an additional 16 Family Deluxe Rooms. There are 12 Twin Bedrooms and an additional 7 Deluxe Twin bedrooms. There are 14 Double bedrooms, 32 King bedrooms and 27 Deluxe King bedrooms.

Our tip, book a suite: The Panoramic Suite for example consists of a private balcony, a football table, a Peloton bike, an open plan bathroom fitted with a double mirror and double sink, a fridge filled with complimentary goodies, and a coffee machine!

Cadbury House effortlessly combines old and new, with the traditional country house and the elegant boutique-style hotel.