Set in 121 acres of Hampshire countryside, from the outside you’d expect Warbrook House to be your quintessentially British country hotel.

The gates, the long drive, the green fields and surrounding woodlands, the Grade I listed manor house, it’s got all the hallmarks of your traditional English retreat.

However, this hotel is a country hotel with a twist. Yes, it still sells afternoon teas in its beautiful lounges, with fireplaces and oil paintings, but it also now serves a cuisine more commonly enjoyed late-night on many British streets. New owners have brought with it a change in style and direction, and its restaurant has been turned into a fine Indian restaurant called The Clove Canal View

But if you think you’ll be getting a standard curry house experience, then you’d better think again, as Warbrook House has brought in a top chef from Agra – home of the Taj Mahal - and his dishes are magnificent. It’s probably one of the best Indian meals you’ll ever eat in your life.

We were invited to Warbrook House, in Eversley, to try out its new restaurant, and what better way to properly enjoy this setting than staying for the night too.

Our room was in the main house and gave us an excellent view across the Grade II listed gardens, with its own Versailles-style canal and Waterloo bridge.

The room was beautifully decorated, complete with fancy coffee machine and smart TV, and gave us everything we needed for a comfortable night’s stay.

Basingstoke Gazette: Warbrook House Hotel in Eversley

The twisty corridors of the manor house acted as a reminder to the building’s history, designed by 18th century architect John James of Greenwich for his own use. The house and gardens were completed in 1727, named after the stream in the garden.

Its grounds are still magnificent to this day, with ancient oak trees and a sweeping lawn making it a popular place for weddings.

In fact, established Pakistani actress Ayeza Khan was recently filmed arriving in a helicopter, dressed as a bride, to promote the hotel’s large events space which can cater for up to 500 guests. During our stay, we peeked through the windows to see huge floral displays and glittering diamonds; this certainly would be a spectacular place to hold your big day.

Around the hotel there are many conference rooms, plus a modern block called The Grange, set behind the hotel, which gives a cheaper place to stay.

Inside the hotel, there’s a bar and several lounges to relax in. The former spa is for now out of action, and there is no swimming pool, so don’t check in if that’s the kind of relaxation you’re after. But forget that, the main attraction here is the restaurant and its incredible food.

The Clove’s menu was nothing like it was online, instead we were handed a menu that had obviously been crafted by the chef with the best dishes for the season. It’s always nice to dine in a place that gives control over to the chef, after all, who else would best understand the right things to serve?

Basingstoke Gazette: Warbrook House Hotel in Eversley

We started our meal with a dahi ka kebab, crumb-fried yoghurt, and murgh malai tikka, chicken marinated with yoghurt, served with a smoked yoghurt chutney and a mint compote. Both came beautifully presented, and were a great introduction to our exceptional main courses. The mint compote alone was something that surely could be bottled and sold, it was that tasty.

For main we had the butter chicken, wonderfully moist chicken braised in tomato and cashew gravy finished with fenugreek, and paneer lalabdar, cottage cheese braised in tomato and onion gravy finished with fenugreek. This came served with rice and an assortment of Indian bread.

The dishes were so flavoursome, spicy yet not too hot, they gave a real treat to your mouth. Lip tingling, but in a good way, and everything was so fresh tasting, no grease or oil here.

For dessert, we had the amazingly sweet gulab jamun, golden fried dumplings, served with rose-scented syrup and vanilla ice-cream.

The evening meal was so delicious, it will really make you think twice about eating in any other Indian restaurant.

Basingstoke Gazette: Warbrook House Hotel in Eversley

The great thing is that locals can also book and eat at the restaurant too, it’s open to all, so even if you don’t fancy staying over, the restaurant really is a must for anyone who enjoys Indian food.

If you do fancy staying over, book direct and get 10 per cent off food and drinks, a complimentary upgrade subject to availability and a one-hour later check out, plus a free dessert when dining in The Clove.

A room in the manor with a canal view, starts at £169 per night, or £139 without. Cheaper accommodation is available in the nearby Grange.

For more go to warbrookhouse.com or call 0118 973 2174