The Manor Basket Range review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

It wouldn’t be a castle without a spiral staircase, so it’s reassuring there’s one in our room at the Adelaide Hills landmark folly Camelot Castle – or as it’s now known, The Manor Basket Range.

It wouldn’t be a castle without a spiral staircase, so it’s reassuring to find there’s one in our room at the Adelaide Hills landmark folly Camelot Castle – or as it’s now known, The Manor Basket Range.

True, Camelot is still the name on signs by the front gate and on the nearby roadways, but the old landmark on Lobethal Rd has been refurbished and rebranded as it aims to take a slice of the wedding and reception market, and possibly host a joint cellar door for some of the quirky Basket Range wineries.

The old place is being glammed up: two big reception areas have had their suits of armour and heraldic shields stripped away for a more neutral atmosphere, and the dozen guest rooms have been renovated.

So on a warm and blowy afternoon that’s where we find ourselves, winding up through Summertown and then into newly-hip Uraidla where we spot signs for Camelot. Soon we’re heading up the slate driveway into a large forecourt with a central fountain.

The original castle, a crenellated keep, was built from local sandstone in 1935 on 2 ha cut into the side of the range, according to one of the new management team, Max Mason, formerly of the now-closed Henry Austin restaurant.

A welcoming bedroom at The Manor Basket Range. Picture:to Roy Eccleston

The other business partners are Naomi Growden and Marcus Dewar of The Little Soho restaurant, and Spanish chef Alfonso Alés.

The building was originally commissioned by Albert Pinchbeck, great-grandson of the owners of Warwick Castle, and grandson of a wine taster and vigneron some say established Adelaide’s first vineyard.

In 1971 it was bought by Hans Racht, and used as a wedding venue. A new owner in recent years failed to make an impact – and now, after renovations, Mason and the others have taken a lease to operate the business.

Our room is in a wing built in the 1980s, but with an exterior in full medieval vibe. Inside, there are a few remnants of that, despite the makeover. The sitting room and kitchen are on the ground floor, and upstairs is a bedroom and bathroom, connected by a tight, timber spiral staircase that could prove challenging for some with a heavy bag.

Downstairs, the old slate floors remain, while gas heaters have been replaced with electric. There’s a rug on the floor for a splash of colour (it could have been bigger and thicker to cover that slate, especially given the icy winters here), a large blue Chesterfield couch, new lime-washed timber furniture including a small round breakfast table, and on the wall a large flat screen TV.

The bathroom is fashionably decorated. Picture: Roy Eccleston

Off to the side is a basic kitchen, with a small refrigerator, microwave, sink, kettle and toaster. It could do with a few more glasses, and while there were coffee bags and T2 tea bags, a pod coffee maker would have given a more up-market feel.

The bedroom and bathroom are a step up (literally, given the spiral staircase) into a sense of luxury. The dark carpet is thick underfoot, and the large bed is comfortably firm with a padded headboard, bedside cupboards with side lamps, and reading down lights. An airconditioner is ready to keep the cold or heat at bay, and there’s another massive flat screen TV.

The bathroom is huge and fashionably decorated in black and white. There’s a stylish bath (mine wasn’t running well, but most of them gush, Mason says), modern stone bench vanity and large shower, with heated overhead heat lamps. The sliding door to the bedroom diminished the luxury feel, especially when it came off its runners. That’s an original feature better booted.

Outside the bedroom is a balcony overlooking the courtyard below, and out to the impressive gardens and hillside beyond. There’s a pleasant walk through the shady garden, and if you’re into botany, try to pick the trees – there are a range of exotic species including what looked like a giant redwood.

An old sandstone chapel is ready for the bride and groom, and there are two separate ballrooms and kitchens for receptions.

Uraidla has several good dining options for visitors who use the units to explore the nearby hills.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first ublished in April 2018 and had details updated in March 2021.

• 762 Lobethal Rd, Basket Range
• 08 7200 2397
• www.themanorbr.com.au

• LOCATION About 20km east of Adelaide.
• ACCOMMODATION Twelve refurbished suites, some with spa bath, bath, or shower. They sleep up to four people, with sofa bed. Continental breakfast provided.
• FACILITIES Queen bed, ensuite, large flat-screen TVs, air conditioning upstairs, electric heater downstairs, iron, microwave, refrigerator, tea and coffee making, free Wi-Fi. Chapel, wedding deception facilities.
• PRICE $180 to $260.