A BEAUTIFUL RELAXING LEICESTERSHIRE STAY AT SYSONBY KNOLL,

Last Updated on 27th February 2026 by Bejal

About a 50 minutes drive from Leicester, there s a beautiful cute rural retreat by the name of Sysonby Knoll. Located in Melton Mowbray, known as the capital of rural food, notably for its pork pies and stilton cheese, this makes for a great weekend break base.

Beautifully classic rooms, delicious food and drinks, afternoon tea, stunning views to teh rear of the property and outstanding service makes Sysonby Knoll a great place to recharge and unwind in peaceful surroundings.

Full Disclosure: The stay at Stapleford Park was sponsored as part of a press stay . All opinions and views are our own and together with the photography remain a copyright of be-lavie.

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Sysonby Knoll Hotel: A Short History

Sysonby Knoll Hotel is located a short, forty minute drive form Leicester City Centre and is situated in the town made famous by Stilton and of course the world renown Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. More on Melton in another post though!

The Hotel is located just off Asfordby Road opposite the horse fields and is three quarters of a mile from the old market town of Melton. As you turn into the property, you are met with a stunning ivy-fronted façade with pretty blooms and a brick fronted entrance way to the car park.

The original house known as Sysonby Knoll was erected in 1911 by Mr Thurman for his second wife. He actually resided in a farm down the road but like any true gent didn’t wish his second wife to live in the house his first wife previously lived in!

Let’s fast forward to 1965, when Richard and Stella bought the house as a family home. The Russell’s hadn’t realised that upon purchase they had acquired some sitting tenants, who were lodgers from PERA, a company from Melton and Mrs Booth allowed them to stay. As trade and the family grew, the house had to be extended and the first extension was built up towards the east.

The Victorian Summerhouse was built with the house and soon the fish pond below the gazebo will be restored to add to the beautiful landscaped gardens.

The stunning courtyard was completed in 1987 across the front of the property and the front was landscaped to include a statue of Bacchus, the god of wine!!

Unfortunately, Mrs Booth died in 1986 and had run the hotel until then, the family tradition carried on as Mrs Booth’s daughter, Jenny joined the hotel full time with her husband, Gavin in 1997. Their children are also being trained in all aspects meaning that Sysonby Knoll remains a real family affair.

In 1997, the fields behind the hotel were purchased, which now gives guests access to 4.5 acres of grounds to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Sit back with a Pimms in hand as you admire the beautifully manicured lawns at Sysonby Knoll. The hotel also owns fishing rights on the river Eye so if you’re the angling type, don’t forget your gear, as fishing is free!

In 2004, the restaurant and function room was opened, providing the most amazing panoramic views of the surrounding fields.

Sysonby Knoll boasts a total of 30 individually styled rooms of all categories housed in the main building, the annexe and the extension. All rooms are decorated individually and four of these are Four Poster Rooms fit for a princess!

The Colonel Pitt Room

Following a speedy check-in, we were taken up the staircase and shown up to our room by the manager, Vicky. As we arrived at our room, I gasped in amazement as I saw a piano right outside the room and when I saw the plaque on the door read ‘The Colonel Pitt Room’ I had a feeling this would be special.

It was not disappointing when the door opened to reveal a beautifully decorated room complete with a four poster bed neutral fabric drapes and brass ornamental fittings. I immediately walked to the windows, which gave the most beautiful view of the hotel’s gardens and adjoining field. I was in country heaven.

The bathroom was also beautifully decorated in keeping with the room’s colour scheme of neutral butterscotch theme with carefully chosen tiles and toilet ornament! Small details such as the toilet chain pull just made it for me! Simple pleasures and all that!

The room had all the amenities one could want from a country stay including tea and coffee making facilities, a pretty dressing table, arm chairs to sink into and power points in all the right places.

The Colonel Pitt Room may be the smaller of the Four Poster bedroom but it most definitely is perfectly formed, don’t you think?

The Thurman Room

I knew you’d be inquisitive, so I got a sneak peek into the other Four Poster room across the hall named, The Thurman Room. Mahogany accents mixed with rich colours and fabrics are a contrast to our room. A princess and a pea bed with an actual Mahogany step to help you onto the bed. Again the views are over the gardens and the Wreake valley providing a stunning finishing touch to a well decorated room.

The Lobby at Sysonby Knoll

Adjoining reception is a lovely lobby area with patio doors opening out onto the gardens complete with chaise longues and even a grandfather clock.

The Green Room at Sysonby Knoll

If you’re looking to get your head down and do some work then this room provides a nice calm environment overlooking the garden for you to make headway in. Look out for some original features such as the Jones sewing machine table, which now houses the television.

The Bar

Obviously, one of the most important rooms of the house is located just off the lobby and has a fully functioning bar stocked with an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Coffee Lounge

The hotel has recently purchased a new coffee machine and accompanied with it are new cups and saucers. So its no surprise that having a relaxing coffee lounge in hues of blue work well, as a surrounding to kick off your shoes and sip on a brew of your choice and admire the views before you.

The interiors at Sysonby Knoll were carefully selected and executed (with a little help from staff) by a local designer, Debbie Warne. Some of my favourites included the opulent feeling fabric of the curtains and the tassel tie backs. Additionally art work that you see displayed at the hotel is by a local artist, Tim Fisher. His most notable pieces are displayed in the bar area.

The Restaurant at Sysonby Knoll

Dr C and I were lucky enough to dine twice in the restaurant during our stay. Our first visit was for dinner with panoramic views of the valley. We opted for a three course meal from the specials menu, however there is also the choice of a la carte should you wish. We ordered in the bar and once your food and table are ready, you’re called into the restaurant to enjoy the views and the food in a calm ambience with light background music. There is also a fitting wine list to marry perfectly with your food.

To start, Dr C had the Goat cheese crouton, cherry tomatoes and balsamic syrup  and I went for the French onion soup with a cheese topped crouton. Both were a great introduction to our mains.

For our mains, Dr C of course went for the lamb with dauphinoise potatoes with all the veggie trimmings, whereas I opted for the haddock topped with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce served on a bed of colcannon mash.

You guys probably know that when Dr C is around the sweet treats aren’t too far away either. His was the glazed lemon tart with a shortbread biscuit base and mine was the white chocolate and orange cheesecake. Both equally delicious and an adequate sweet end to our dinner.

We ended the evening with coffees and banter in the bar before we headed up to sink into that beautiful four poster bed and sleep like a prince and princess.

The following morning we were woken by the sweet bird song and slowly made out way down for breakfast.

There is an array of cereals, croissants, yoghurts, jams, conserves, fruits to choose from and additionally there is the option of a cooked breakfast. Fresh local produce, made from the heart, literally the heart of the countryside. What more could you want?!

The restaurant at Sysonby Knoll also serves lunch, Afternoon Teas with prior booking and is a knockout for it’s Sunday lunches as well as evening meals.

Sourcing Local at Sysonby Knoll

It was music to my ears when I heard that this rural country hotel sources local and plays its part in sustainability. Sysonby Knoll uses solar panels at it’s properties and has been awarded an ecotourism award. As well as this all meat is sourced from Owen Taylor, the local butchers, the breakfast yoghurts come from Manor Farm in the nearby village of Thrussington, Pork Pies are from Dickinson & Morris in Melton Mowbray, the Long Clawson Stilton and Red Leicester cheeses are purchased from the Cheeseboard in Melton, honey is usually from the properties hives, which are located near to the purple borage in the field next to the river Eye and the Star Real Ale comes from the Old Dalby Brewery! What more could one ask for than this line up of locally sourced produce?!

Dog Friendly

The hotel is pet friendly so you needn’t leave your pooch at home when you visit. Infact Sysonby Knoll even has two resident Dachsunds, Twiglet and Tilly!

Sysonby Knoll Round-up

Sysonby Knoll, blew away all our expectations of a relaxing break in the country and the service, quality of food and our beautiful room made for a really relaxing special stay.. Not only is the hotel great for a weekend or mid-week getaway, it’s a great place to stay for business. There is WIFI available throughout as well as spaces that you can work in and it’s close to major cities like Leicester and Birmingham.

The Details

• Location: Sysonby Knoll. Asfordby Road.Melton Mowbray. Leicestershire. LE13 OHP.
• Tel. 01664 563563
• Reveiw & Book Sysonby Knoll Hotel.

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À bientôt

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