The enormous old sofa on the landing is surely the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat on, but it is irresistibly vast and the only discomfort Plumber has to offer. While the sofa might be old, the family is positively ancient.

They go back to William the Conqueror and have lived "in the area" ever since,the last 300 years right here at Plumber. Outside, there's a large, sloping lawn, a white bridge over the river and deck chairs scattered about the well-manicured garden.

Inside, the house remains more home than hotel, withhuge family portraits crammed on the walls, everything in this house seems to be big - the atmosphere is relaxed and informal without a trace of pomposity.

Best of all at Plumber is the family triumvirate of Brian (in the kitchen), Richard (behind the bar and guaranteed to provide laughter) and Alison (simply everywhere). They know exactly how to make you feel at home.

Plumber was built by Charles Brune in the early 17th century and has remained a family home for the Prideaux-Brunes. In 1973 Richard, Alison and Brian turned their home into a restaurant with bedrooms under the careful management of the family. The Divelish stream, a tributary of the River Stour runs through the peaceful and secluded grounds. Plumber is a very much family home far from madding crowd where guests can enjoy genuine hospitality from a bygone era.

In the main house there are six very comfortable bedrooms all with private bathrooms facing south and west, they are approached from a charming gallery hung with family portraits. In 1982 a natural stone barn lying within the grounds was converted and a courtyard created adding a further six very large bedrooms all with windows seats overlooking the stream and garden. In 1990 the courtyard was completed giving four more spacious, individually furnished bedrooms.

The main bar and the dining rooms all have open fires in the winter and the two family labradors provide a warm welcome for all our guests. We have a few bedrooms in the stable courtyard which welcome guests' dogs.

Plumber Manor Hotel Restaurant

The restaurant is open every night of the week as well as lunch on Sunday and remains the mainstay of the business. Brian Prideaux-Brune's cooking, long since recognised by all the major guides, provides a balance of imaginative and traditional cuisine using the finest fresh and mainly local ingredients. Brian's delicious and wholesome menu changes weekly and now an la carte additions accompany the set price menu.

The restaurant is made up of three rooms where guests may dine in an informal yet elegant ambience. The main and smallest dining rooms are decorated with family portraits and have open fires. The cellar room is originally designed and hand painted to depict an authentic country scene.

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