Peel's Restaurant
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Restaurant |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Derrick and Janet Hill (owners of Hampton Manor) |
| Headquarters | Hampton-in-Arden , England, United Kingdom |
Key people | Robert Palmer (Head Chef), James Hill (Manager), Fjona Hill (Creative Director) |
| Products | Fine dining, Boutique hotel accommodation |
Peel's Restaurant, situated within Hampton Manor in Hampton-in-Arden, is distinguished by one Michelin star and four AA Rosette accolades. Hampton Manor itself is a Grade II listed property that once served as the family residence of Frederick Peel, son of the former Prime Minister Robert Peel. In March 2008, hoteliers Derrick and Janet Hill took ownership of the Manor.[1] Today, their son James, alongside his wife Fjona, oversees its operation as a combined Restaurant with Rooms establishment.[1]
At just 27 years old, Robert Palmer assumed the role of Head Chef.[2] His culinary approach highlights seasonal ingredients, enhanced by contemporary cooking methods.[2] Peel's was awarded a Michelin star in October 2016, shortly after receiving its fourth AA rosette.[3] Additionally, the team secured Michelin's first-ever Welcome and Service Award in 2017, in collaboration with Nespresso.[3]
Hampton Manor
The Hampton estate was acquired by Robert Peel, former Prime Minister and founder of the British Police Force, from Isaac William Lillingston. Following his passing, his son Frederick Peel commissioned the construction of the current Neo-Tudor Gothic Manor House in 1855, designed by William Eden Nesfield. The Peel family played a pivotal role during the Industrial Revolution, particularly in advancing mechanisation within cotton and spinning sectors. The family motto, 'Industria', is prominently carved into the Manor’s main staircase. Frederick Peel later enhanced the property with Arts and Crafts elements, including a clocktower by Nesfield (1872) and a walled garden featuring a Jacobean gateway designed around 1900 by Thomas Hayton Mawson.
In March 2008, Derrick and Jan Hill, both experienced hoteliers, purchased the estate and embarked on an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment. By 2019, Hampton Manor reopened as a boutique hotel with 15 guest rooms and an on-site restaurant. Management now rests with their son James and his wife Fjona, who serves as Creative Director. Fjona’s interior design pays homage to the Manor's Arts and Crafts legacy by incorporating William Morris wallpapers and custom-made furnishings crafted by local artisans.
Building on Peel's Restaurant’s success, James and Fjona repositioned Hampton Manor in 2017 as a Restaurant with Rooms. The venue has garnered numerous awards at the Midlands Food Drink and Hospitality Awards, including Best Afternoon Tea, Fine Dining Restaurant for Peel's, and Boutique Hotel distinctions. In 2018, Craig Newman, General Manager, was honoured with Best General Manager at these awards.
Peel's Restaurant
Peel's Restaurant is located within Hampton Manor and first opened its doors in 2008; however, it gained widespread acclaim after Robert Palmer became Head Chef in 2016 at age 27. Previously Junior Sous Chef at The Forest in Dorridge, Palmer emphasizes British seasonal ingredients prepared with innovative techniques. Signature dishes such as heirloom tomato paired with burrata and basil, asparagus accompanied by burrata and chicken, and beetroot combined with goat’s cheese are continually reinvented to reflect seasonal availability. On 3 October 2016, Peel's was awarded a michelin star along with Michelin’s Welcome and Service Award while also securing its fourth AA rosette—placing it among an elite group of only 50 UK restaurants with this recognition. Peel's has successfully retained its Michelin star in subsequent years.
Reception
Following its 2010 refurbishment, Peel's Restaurant at Hampton Manor quickly garnered praise for its exceptional cuisine. In 2015, Fiona Duncan of The Sunday Telegraph brought national attention to the Manor, awarding it a perfect 10/10 for food and beverages and including it among the top ten hotels to experience in 2016. After Peel's earned its Michelin star, Duncan reaffirmed her endorsement, naming it one of her preferred hotel dining destinations.
Hampton Manor appeared in The Cool Hotel Guide by The Times in December 2015, achieving a score of 8.5/10 and describing the dining experience as "an event." By November 2017, it was highlighted by The Sunday Times as one of the United Kingdom's cosiest retreats.
The Michelin star accolade for Peel’s brought significant media coverage both locally and nationally, with features in the London Evening Standard and reports on ITV News Central. In May 2017, the Evening Standard designated Hampton Manor as its 'cool place of the week.' The Birmingham Mail noted Peel's distinction as Solihull’s inaugural Michelin-starred restaurant. Additionally, in December 2017, Hampton Manor was recognized by The Sunday Times Stella Magazine as a premier UK destination for food enthusiasts.
More recent commentary has focused on the positive reception of the Manor’s renovations and restaurant improvements, alongside increasing attention from bloggers based in Birmingham.