While The Wharf House Restaurant on the edge of Gloucester has been a favourite haunt for fans of modern British cuisine for a few years now, the SoGlos.com team were not alone in eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the brand new accommodation side of the charity-run organisation.

So, when word finally came this spring that The Wharf House Accommodation was alive and kicking – with rooms already being snapped up for Cheltenham Festival and other prestigious events in the county – we didn’t delay in booking our stay to give it the SoGlos.com scrutiny.

Greeted by a smiling young member of staff and escorted up the wooden staircase to our king-sized room – named after the local village of Maisemore – first impressions surpassed expectations from the moment the stripped-wood door swung open.

Despite being freshly furnished, decorated and finished, the room exuded an old world character and charm you wouldn’t expect from a ‘new build’, with tasteful touches making it an instant success.

From the chunky oak bed, side tables and diminutive dressing table – all Wiltshire-sourced and bespoke to The Wharf House – to the rich red colour-coordinated throws, cushions and ceramic lamp stand, precise positioning had been combined with relaxed style with aplomb. And the home-made flapjacks tied up with a bow were a nice touch too.

We were delighted to see that no expense had been spared in the technological stakes either, so while I lounged on the burgundy leather sofa to catch up on Tweets via the complimentary Wi-Fi, the other half could be found channel-hopping on the widescreen television whilst enjoying a coke from the mini bar.

The lavish indulgences didn’t stop there, as we discovered the compact en-suite bathroom was dominated by a swish two-person spa bath with monsoon shower – completed with invigorating ginger root, black pepper seed and walnut bath wash for an indulgent evening soak.

Rewind a few hours, however, and we had taken advantage of a walk along the newly restored canal basin leading up to The Wharf House – complete with wild waterside flowers, lily pads and even the occasional fish or two. It also turned out to be the date for a Gloucester and District Model Boat Club meeting, providing the chance to sit alongside the canal and watch an array of intricate, life-like boats and yachts shimmy across the water at the command of their respective masters.

We had also taken the time to enjoy a relaxed dinner in The Wharf House Restaurant, devouring Herefordshire beef and lamb dishes alongside a ripe Strawberry Hill merlot rosé from nearby Newent, before retiring for a great night’s sleep.

The icing on the cake, then, was a superb full English breakfast taking advantage of more local produce – sage infused sausages, salty bacon, eggs, fried bread and the most sublime button mushrooms known to man, fresh from the Tibberton farm just a few miles away.

Hopping in the car and heading home, relaxed and a little pampered, The Wharf House Accommodation had gone above and beyond our hopes for the new luxury bed and breakfast accommodation. Following the same path as the restaurant in drawing upon quality regional produce – and with profits once again going to restore the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal – this unique new addition to the historic city will no doubt become a firm favourite for tourism and business travellers to the area alike.

The Wharf House Accommodation prices start from £85 per room, including a full English breakfast. For more information and to book your stay call (01452) 332900, email thewharfhouse@yahoo.co.uk or visit thewharfhouse.co.uk directly.

James Fryer
26 July 2010