Luxury Waterside Getaway At The Dundas Arms (West Berkshire)

Sat on the tranquil Kennet & Avon Canal The Dundas Arms is a gorgeously picturesque Grade II listed Georgian inn with oodles of character and charm. With history as far back as 1794, the building was created by canal “Navvies” on the order of local man Charles Dundas, in order to help put Kintbury on the map and help continue Britain’s flourishing canal network. Find out what we thought of this luxury waterside getaway At The Dundas Arms, Kintbury.

Today, the village of Kintbuty (West Berkshire) is a spot of natural beauty and it was even named by the Sunday Times as one of the most sought-after villages in England.  Fortunately, the character conveyed by the exterior and the surroundings is carried on into the building, in the form of a relaxed country décor and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.

Sleeping and relaxing

The Dundas Arms is home to only 8 rooms and each is charmingly styled with a warming and comforting country house aesthetic. Our room, aptly named Barbel considering the location, was a river room with a private terrace overlooking the River Kennet.

The riverside terrace was bathed in sun when we arrived and we cannot think of a more idyllic spot to unwind and relax. Complete with a bottle of wine and great company, this has potential to be a truly romantic and secluded spot. It was quite a surprise – we had no idea the rooms had such fantastic views until we arrived.

Aside from the view and terrace, each room features elegant Barnaby Gates wallpaper, lavish curtains and rich wood furnishings as well as luxurious bathrooms complete with sumptuous handcrafted toiletries by Bramley. The accommodation seemed perfectly in tune with the natural surroundings; not over bearing and over designed, but homely and with a deft hint of British style.

Eating and drinking

The Dundas Arms is a part of the Epicurean Collection and therefore promises to live up to the collection’s ethos of great food and great wine. Did it do so? It did, and did so brilliantly. To begin the meal, we were treated to a starter of chili and ginger monkfish tails. The balance of flavour was perfect here, with the chili just adding a touch of heat to the tender monkfish. Light and delicious.

Following on from the monkfish, I dove into a juicy and flavourful rump steak, with a side of silky bernaise sauce. A bottle of Molino Loco Monastrell from Murcia in southern Spain, provided a robust and full bodied compliment to the steak also. For £17, this was a great addition to the meal and one we would look out for again. My partner went for the traditional pub style fish and chips, which featured beautifully crisp batter and tender fish. One of the best fish and chips we have had in a while.

To end the meal, an eton mess with an usual passionfruit coulis, walked a great tight rope between freshness, sweetness and zingy flavours for a strong finish.

If you are craving a highly personable and friendly atmosphere, then The Dundas Arms is also fantastically well equipped. Each member of the team was fun, friendly and all the while maintaining a strong level of service. If we just lived a little closer, then we would regularly visit The Dundas Arms for the food, drink and great company. A real find and a destination we will definitely return to in the future. Also, if you are an angler, this seemed to be a great location for fly fishermen, so something to think about!

Find out more or make a booking here or call 01488 658263. Our double river room was £145 and included breakfast for two.