The setting is splendid and our room was very comfortable with en-suite shower-room in a period bedroom. The building is magnificent, and the exhibition in the Norman keep makes good reading on the way to the top (splendid views on a nice day). The grounds appear to have some good walks, but the weather during our stay meant that we could not really benefit from them. Booking the room was difficult (cannot be done on-line with a voucher): those answering the phone were often not empowered to take reservations, emails did not receive replies, and, once the reservation was finally taken, obtaining an email confirmation proved very difficult. We arrived early. Fortunately a charming employee allowed us to leave our cases in the ticket office at the entrance to the grounds until check-in time. When we attempted to check-in at the normal time, we found the door locked and no-one around. It took a phone call to the hotel land-line to get some-one to appear and unlock the front door. When we tried to leave the hotel to visit the village we found the front door locked, and it took another phone call t0 get released! The continental breakfast included in the voucher and served in the magnificent Great Hall was adequate. We were 2 of only 4 guests that night. We did not allow the difficulties listed above to spoil our stay, but we are unsure about returning there.