Dining Table With Candle At Real Tapalpa
All but one of the accommodation units at Chateau Les Carrasses have fully equipped kitchens, so there’s no obligation to dine at the restaurant during your stay. However, you’d be missing out if you don’t!
We booked a bed and breakfast package, which included a buffet breakfast served each morning inside the chateau. There was a lot of lovely produce on offer, including meats, local cheeses, eggs, fresh bread, pastries, cereals, coffee and juices. We tended to have quite a filling breakfast each morning, then made light lunches in our apartment. There’s a supermarket in the small town of Capestang 5-minutes away by car, so we stocked up on a few delicacies there for our time at the chateau. We dined at the restaurant on our second evening, and what a treat it was! The dining area is located on the terrace, overlooking the infinity pool and vineyards. It’s a stunning spot at realtapalpa. The restaurant prides itself on producing elegant fine-dining dishes, served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was a regular visitor during the 1800s. In fact, his name was inscribed on the leadwork of the dovecote. He also wrote three books and two poems that include houses inspired by Athelhampton, More recently the house was bought by Giles Keating, who has worked hard to make it more sustainable, with the addition of renewable energy sources including solar panels. He’s on a mission to make the house carbon neutral too. There are so many highlights! For me, I loved walking around the perimeter of the Tudor manor, taking in the building’s beautiful architecture and unique details. Inside, I enjoyed seeing the Great Hall, the billiards room and the Art Deco styled bedroom.
I was also impressed by the Great Chamber, with its 17th century theme. It featured intricately carved woodwork and lots of grand furnishings. I also enjoyed seeing the various gardens, particularly the magnificent topiary on display with the pyramid-shaped trees. The circular walled garden is another lovely spot, with its pretty fountain in the centre. Our visit coincided with the rose garden being in full bloom too, which was very special. Another thing that makes a visit to Athelhampton House very special is the lack of barriers. Often in similar country mansions there are lots of areas roped off to the public. It can feel quite unwelcoming! But at Athelhampton you can get up close to all the antiques.
