Taste the Countryside

There are few pleasures more quintessentially British than enjoying a well-earned pint while overlooking rolling countryside. It is a simple ritual, yet one that speaks volumes about craftsmanship, provenance and our enduring connection to the landscape.

Those values are increasingly important to today’s luxury traveller. Guests are looking beyond labels and brands: they want authenticity. They want to know where products come from, who made them and the stories behind them. It is a trend that sits perfectly with Hand Picked Hotels’ commitment to celebrating local suppliers, regional producers and sustainable partnerships.

Working with suppliers who share a passion for provenance and quality is an important part of the guest experience. Whether it is locally sourced ingredients on a restaurant menu, carefully selected wines in the cellar or regional producers showcased throughout the hotels, every detail contributes to a sense of place.

One partnership bringing those values to life is Hawkstone, the beer brand created by Jeremy Clarkson and produced using barley grown right here in Britain, including on his Oxfordshire farm. What began as a farming venture has evolved into a respected drinks brand with a genuine countryside story at its heart. The result is a beer that feels rooted in the landscape from which it comes – honest, characterful and unmistakably British.

That commitment to authenticity extends beyond barley. Hawkstone has pledged to transition its entire range to 100% British-grown hops by March 2028, a major investment expected to increase the UK’s hop-growing acreage by around 15% over the next three years. At a time when many growers face mounting economic pressures, the initiative offers confidence to invest in the future, helping safeguard one of Britain’s oldest agricultural traditions while strengthening the connection between the land and the beer it produces.

Hawkstone is a natural extension of that philosophy. The connection between farm and table has never been more important. Guests increasingly want to enjoy products with a clear journey and transparent origins. A pint poured at a country house hotel becomes far more meaningful when guests understand the story behind it.

That story begins in the fields of Britain, where the grain is grown, harvested and transformed into a product that reflects both the character of the countryside and the people who work it. Hawkstone supports farmers across the country by using their ingredients.

It is perhaps fitting that Jeremy Clarkson, once associated with speed, horsepower and global adventures, has become one of Britain’s most visible advocates for farming and rural communities. Through his farming journey he has highlighted the challenges, unpredictability and resilience required to sustain British farming. In doing so, he has helped bring the realities of rural life to audiences far beyond the agricultural community.

Hawkstone’s commitment extends beyond the fields to the people who work them. Originally formed for a Hawkstone campaign, the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir has grown into a powerful voice for rural communities, using music to raise awareness of the mental health challenges and isolation experienced by many farmers. Its remarkable success on Britain’s Got Talent introduced those conversations to a national audience, proving that the choir represents far more than harmony – it is a celebration of resilience, community and the enduring spirit of British agriculture.

It is this celebration of craftsmanship, community and the countryside that makes Hawkstone such a natural fit for Hand Picked Hotels. Across the collection, guests are encouraged to slow down, reconnect with nature and appreciate the landscapes surrounding them. Whether enjoying a weekend escape in Warwickshire, a spa retreat in Northamptonshire or a leisurely lunch overlooking historic grounds, the experience is about taking time to savour life’s simpler pleasures. A perfectly poured pint is part of that experience.

At its best, hospitality brings together exceptional settings, outstanding products and memorable moments. A Hawkstone beer enjoyed on a hotel terrace after a countryside walk captures all three.

The future of luxury is increasingly local. It celebrates craftsmanship over mass production, relationships over transactions and authenticity over appearance. By championing producers such as Hawkstone, Hand Picked Hotels continues to support businesses that share those values while offering guests experiences that feel genuine, thoughtful and distinctly British.

Sometimes the most memorable stories begin not with grand gestures, but with a simple pint raised to the people, places and traditions that make Britain’s countryside so special.