Situated in the historic quarter of Lincoln lies the fabulous White Hart hotel. This hotel is situated in Uphill Lincoln (Bailgate) and has been standing since the 14th century. The hotel has recently undergone a fabulous refurbishment (with a few small areas remaining nearing completion) but importantly, the hotel still has the stunning qualities and facilities for the perfect weekend getaway or even great for business travellers and families wanting somewhere special to stay where they can checkout the Lincoln area with ease.
I have to say that I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel, from the warmth it offers you when you walk in the doors to the rooms which are equipped with everything you could need for a comfortable and luxurious stay.
There are a total of 49 stunning bedrooms here at the hotel which cater for solo travellers, couples and families or for those wanting that special little extra, you can select from a variety of bedrooms ranging from classic rooms, to deluxe family rooms to the suites (all subject to availablity at the time of booking). The King Edward suite is by far one of the most beautiful and elegant suites in the hotel offering stunning views of the light up Cathedral at night as well as a separate dining/lounge area equipped with a coffee pod machine, minibar and generously sized enough suite bathroom. The toiletries are also oozing style and are Elemis products (which are also available to purchase from reception).
The beds are extremely comfortable and where there is a very homely feel to this hotel. The rooms are very bright, spacious and airy equipped with TV, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities. There were also thoughtful little extras for little guests in the room, in the form of locally produced, tasty and adorable gingerbread men biscuits.
If you fancy a drink during your stay, I would recommend the Gibson bar, it has a very classic feel to it and definitely sets the perfect setting for a few tipples. Should you be after a light bite, snack or a lunch then The Colonnade bar is definitely one to check out.
If you are after a fantastic dinner with friends, colleagues, loved ones or family then The Antlers restaurant should be everything you need. I have to say from the outside of The Antlers restaurant to the inside to the menu and to the staff, I could not fault this in any way. The selection of food on the menu was mouth watering from the get-go but tasting the food sealed every thought I’d already had of the venue. The food was full of taste, it was presented beautifully and there is literally something for everyone.
Starting from the top, there are a handful of exciting and indulgent starters for all tastes, but the Crispy Pork Belly was a huge hit and if there are little ones to feed, rest assured that there is a children’s menu on hand with dishes ranging from chicken goujons, to pasta dishes to traditional fish and chips and more. Again, the sizes are more than plenty and are cooked and presented perfectly.
A few cuisine favourites that I would highly recommend from The Antlers menu would be the 8oz RibEye steak and the Braised Short Rib. These main courses are certainly one’s that leave a fond and lasting memory, not only are they packed with flavours and exciting tastes, but the portion sizes are not like other fine dining restaurants, they are very generous indeed and where they are beautifully presented and prepared with love. All steaks are accompanied by twice cooked chips, cooked vine tomatoes and mushroom. There are a few sauce selections on hand too should you fancy for your steak and a tasty personal favourite is the Truffle Bernaise, a subtle but on point flavour which goes hand in hand with the succulent and juicy rib eye.
The Braised Short Rib literally fell off the bone without the knife even touching it and the roast carrots and chive dumpling was cooked to perfection, overall, a delicious meal and easily one I would order again.
Should you have any room for sweet treats, the Espresso Tiramisu and The Chocolate Melt Tart was a hit for all in the family. Not overly sweet but the right levels to satisfy any sweet lovers.
Breakfast is also served in The Antlers restaurant and there are a few delicious choices to order ranging from the traditional English breakfast (vegan options available) to Eggs Benedict/Eggs Florentine to a few others. There is also a self serve area where you can enjoy cereal, toast and juices.
For those wanting a more lighter and chilled out yet equally stunning venue for food and drinks, The Colonnade Bar, within The White Hart also had a fabulous menu suited for couples, business travellers and families alike. The portions are also very generous and really reasonable priced. Starters range from Scotch Eggs to Beer Battered Cod Cheeks and more. Main courses range from a mouth watering selection of hot and cold sandwiches to main courses including burgers and pizzas and not forgetting the Sharing Platters and Salads, again, catering for all tastes, with a children’s menu also available.
The Colonnade Bar serves the best fish and chips, pizzas and salads along with some flavoursome starters. The scotch egg was a stand out starter for me and where the short rib croquettes also left a lasting impression and these were the favourites, but plenty for everyone of all ages and tastes. The food is beautifully presented and again the portions are more than enough to share. The egg mayonnaise sandwich
was served on the freshest of bread and extremely creamy and tasty, it came accompanied with some salted crisps and a small side salad.
For the meat lovers reading this, the steak sandwich is one for you, it was extremely juicy and cooked to your liking, it was served with a home made coleslaw and perfectly cooked, golden chips.
There is certainly plenty on hand when it comes to food and drinks here and the service of the staff will not disappoint, along with the wonderful ambience and views of a wonderfully designed bar.
If you are lucky, you will catch some of the live music at The Colonnade but this is something to check with the hotel for further details.
The staff were on hand to answer and questions and as like all great hotels, all ingredients are locally sourced and are of the highest of quality. The ambience in the restaurant hits you right away and where it’s a lovely environment for a family meal or just some special time with friends or work colleagues, and with an entrance via the hotel as well as an on street entrance, you cannot miss this restaurant. They also have a separate private dining area if you are looking to book for any special occasions.
As you step out of the hotel, you are very much in the center of some fabulous stores and shops so whether you are into your food, your history or just fancy a walk around, there is plenty to see and do on your very doorstep. You are on the doorstep of the famous and very beautiful Lincoln Cathedral (one of the top 10 largest Cathedrals in the UK) and a stones throw from the famous Lincoln Castle. Further down from these historic spots, leads out onto the sprawling high street and more places to eat and drink. It’s a perfect vibe and a very dog friendly city.
Fun fact time, Hollywood A-Lister Tom Hanks previously stayed at The White Hart hotel whilst he was filming scenes from The Da Vinci Code at Lincoln’s very own Lincoln Cathedral.
Overall, I would say that my stay at the White Hart Hotel was extremely enjoyable and I would certainly recommend this hotel to family friends, infact, anyone looking for and affordable yet luxurious stay. The staff work hard to make you feel very welcome and they are always on hand no matter what you need.
For more on The White Hart hotel, all of it’s offerings and to book your stay, do checkout their website at whitehart-lincoln.co.uk
By Sunny Andrea