Best Country Hotels within Two Hours of London
Four Seasons Hampshire
Situated in an idyllic 500 acres of rolling hills, lakes and
canals the Four Seasons Hampshire makes the perfect rural escape. The retreat
boasts a fantastic location being 1 hour from central London, yet within
45minutes to countless family destinations including; Stonehenge, The New
Forest, Legoland, Winchester Cathedral and Hampshire’s beautiful coastline and
beaches. The hotel itself occupies an old manor house filled with an abundance
of character, creaking floorboards, mahogany stairs and stone fire places. A contemporary
extension has been added, containing many of the guest rooms – which are
traditionally furnished.
For Children: Horse Riding, Archery, Fishing
The Grove
The Grove completely belies its location within the M25, just
18 miles from Piccadilly Circus, with its vast landscaped gardens and
championship golf course giving the impression that you are deep within the
country side. The hotel itself occupies an attractive multi-faceted Grade II
listed mansion that hides within more than enough amenities to keep the whole
family happy. Parents are pampered with an award winning spa, the
aforementioned golf course and a fine dining restaurant – Collette’s. Meanwhile
the children have their very own nursery, orangery and even an artificial
beach. The rooms are finished in a plush contemporary style.
For Children: Swimming Pool, Authentic Beach Area, and Nursery
Stoke Park
A chocolate box of treasures, Stoke Park occupies an
absolutely stunning 18th century mansion, reminiscent of a mini White House, set
in wonderful landscaped gardens designed by Humphrey Repton. The picturesque
grounds have featured in many films, notably it is where James Bond challenged
Goldfinger to round of golf. The accommodations are housed within both the Old
Georgian Mansion and a newer, juxtaposing, contemporary block. Facility wise,
the hotel boasts a Michelin star restaurant, a renowned golf course and an
excellent spa with swimming complex – all located just 1 hour from central
London and 15minutes from Heathrow airport.
For Children: Tennis, 300 Acre grounds, Kids Menu
Coworth Park
Since 2011 Coworth Park, part of the Dorchester collection,
has been the linchpin of country hotels. Situated in fabulously blossoming 240
acre meadows nearby to Ascot race course, the resort is a favourite of Middle
Eastern guests. This doesn’t mean it rests on its laurels though, with the
hotel consistently ranked among the top 10 in the United Kingdom. The spa is
state of the art (in fact the hotel even has a spa for visitors cars), that
impresses with its architecture alone – its roof being a half buried sweep of
glass bound by natural wood, with a herd garden on top. The rooms merge
contemporary chic with the old manor house exterior - all are spacious, with
oodles of natural light, and finished in calming white and creams. Many too
have deep copper bathtubs for extensive relaxation sessions. As you can imagine
heaps of activities are available such as clay pigeon shooting, Segway riding,
horse riding lessons and visits to nearby Windsor.
Highlights: State of the art Spa, 18m Pool, Fine dining
restaurantFor Children: Equestrian Centre, Children’s Concierge, and Parkland
Ellenborough Park
Located in a 15th century estate overlooking
Cheltenham Racecourse Ellenborough Park is steeped in history. The resort has
62 bedrooms, in a seemingly endless and maze like space. One Elizabethan fine
dining restaurant, a more casual brasserie, a superb spa, outdoor pool and
countless ‘cosy’s’. Perhaps more suited for an intimate retreat for two than an
expansive family, nether the less Ellenborough Park offers plenty for children
to do, albeit outside the resort in the gorgeous Cotswold Hills. The rooms are
bursting with character - decorated in a tradition English rural style, with
exposed beams, heavy drapes and mahogany furniture.
For Children: Bike Rental, Arts classes in nearby Cheltenham
Lucknam Park
Lucknam Park’s 500 acre estate really has it all; an award
winning spa, Michelin Star restaurant and even an equestrian centre (for those
less into horses and more into horsepower luckily there is a race track just 6
miles away). The building is eye catching too, a 17th century Palladian manor
that greets dumbfounded guests into its marvellous gothic central hall, filled
with curious oddities. It’s a place where kids can be equally as happy as
adults by undertaking any of the countless activities on offer; whether it be
tennis, croquet, football, riding bicycles or attending the hotels very own
cookery school. The rooms are equally as dramatic as the hotels architecture,
many with four poster beds, hand woven tapestries and mahogany furniture.
For Children: Tennis, Croquet, Horse riding, Cookery School
Chewton Glen
Long revered as the best hotel in the United Kingdom and for
ample reasons too, that fact that staff outnumber guests two to one tells you level
of pampering you can expect to receive. The resort is located within a red
brick, ivy clad mansion house surrounded by acres of immaculately manicured
lawns and extensive thriving woodland. Chewton Glen has rooms to suit almost
all tastes too; whilst the vast majority of the rooms our decorated in a
traditional English style, the new and spectacular Tree house suites ooze contemporary
luxury. To tempt guests out of the well-appointed rooms the hotel boasts a
sensational spa with both an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, croquet
lawns and a nine hole golf course. Should this not be enough the hotel is on
the doorstep of the UK’s equestrian capital, The New Forest, and only a 15
minute walk to the sea.
For Children: Horse Riding, Tennis, Swimming, Beach within a 15 minute walk.
Cliveden House
Perhaps the most historical and grand hotel on this list; once being home to a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor. Even Queen Victoria was a frequent visitor during her reign with the House's River Cottage being built specifically for her requirements. Guests to Cliveden House can spend hours getting lost spectacular grounds maintained by the National Trust, grounds that also house neighbouring Hedsor house - used as filming location for hit TV show Downtown Abbey. Inside the property one can expect to feel like an Earl or Countess with wonderfully intricate wood work, four poster beds and original fire places. The vast array of original features make it even more remarkable that the hotel managers to fit in the modern amenities of an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spa, Michelin Starred chef, club lounge and library bar within its offering.
Highlights: Stunning Grounds, History, Restaurant
For Children: Horse Riding, Tennis, Swimming, Boat Rides.
For Children: Horse Riding, Tennis, Swimming, Boat Rides.
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