The UK has finally joined the list of countries that have once again opened their doors to Indian tourists. So get ready to plan your next vacation and stay at these renowned cottages and country homes, set in the beautiful countryside landscapes.
Beaverbrook, England
Photo Courtesy: Beaverbrook
Nestled amidst the picturesque Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook is a quintessential English Country House estate. Combining the building’s original features with modern touches, the hotel has a homey, old-world charm. The rooms are elegantly designed with an eclectic collection of antiques along with Louise Bourgeoise artwork. For meals, guests can choose from three in-house restaurants The Garden House Restaurant, Our Japanese Grill and The Coach House Deli with Italian and Mediterranean options, in addition to full English breakfast served on refurbished period silverware. The hotel also organises some fun onsite activities including table tennis, badminton, adventure obstacle courses and more, to keep guests occupied and entertained.
Surrounded by crisp croquette lawns, Chewton Glen is a traditional English country house hotel, which, despite its very traditional look, is quite modern on the inside. The rooms are decorated with a mix of traditional furniture and contemporary luxuries like iPad docks and tablets, flat-screen TVs, and Bang & Olufsen sound systems among other things. The hotel also houses a set of unique treehouse suites set in the tree canopy, fitted with wide windows and private hardwood decks. While The Dining Room offers a fancy, elaborate menu, The Kitchen restaurant offers a more casual dining experience with meals like wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers. With one of the biggest hydrotherapy pools in all of Europe, the hotel’s award-winning spa offers a long menu of treatments by some of the most experienced therapists.
A National Trust property, the Cliveden House is a 17th-century English charm decorated with antique tapestries and paintings along with armour suits near the entrance. Some of the suites have borrowed historical names like Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Rudyard Kipling. The overall decor remains the same across all rooms with antique furniture, paintings and a few modern amenities. The hotel’s Cliveden Dining Room is known for its innovative, modern British dishes, mainly its three-course à la carte and seven-course tasting menus, while the Astor Grill serves more traditional British as well as classic American dishes. During the Spring-Autumn seasons, guests can take a romantic cruise on the Thames River, enjoying some delicious afternoon tea with a glass of champagne.
A luxurious country house hotel, Coworth Park is an all-girls school turned modern-day hotel built on the borders of Windsor Great Park. The exterior of the hotel has a basic minimalist look while the interiors exude a modern charm with horse motifs throughout the property. Each room in the hotel has a different aesthetic with earth tones and modern décor, and is personally allocated by the hotel to suit each guest. For meals, guests can choose from a number of restaurants in the hotel that offer different varieties from fine-dine options like Exmoor caviar and British wagyu beef to more casual options like beer-battered haddock, steaks and risottos.
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
Photo Courtesy: Belmond
Located in the serene Oxfordshire village of Great Milton, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons was created by the celebrated chef, Raymond Blanc OBE. One of England’s most cherished manor house hotels, the property is a postcard-perfect French revelation surrounded by lush green lawns with lavender borders. The individually designed rooms all draw inspiration from Raymond Blanc’s travel adventures. While some of the rooms have a more elaborate theme, others have a more traditional French aesthetic with private gardens in all of the Garden suites. The restaurant is the only one in Britain to have earned two Michelin stars since its opening, serving a 6-course lunch and a 7-course dinner made with seasonal, organic ingredients from their garden.
Pennyhill Park is a magnificent country house hotel in Bagshot surrounded by countryside views and 123 acres of lush parklands and greenery. On the inside, the hotel is decorated with vintage chandeliers and wall-length tapestries. The rooms in the hotel are divided into two buildings, with 26 of them in the main building and the remaining in the extension building. Adopting a vintage vibe, the furniture in the rooms are all vintage designs with heavily patterned wallpapers and winged armchairs. The hotel has as many as eleven different restaurants serving a variety of delectable five and seven-course portions. Apart from the extensive spa offerings, guests can also enjoy a 5-day membership at the golf course, along with other activities like tennis and organised nature trails.
An iconic country estate in the Ochil Hills, The Gleneagles Hotel is a charming country estate in the heart of the Scottish countryside, surrounded by an 850-acre playground. The rooms are all individually designed drawing inspiration from the landscaped Perthshire countryside, complete with a mix of Scottish Baronial and French contemporary decor. Owing to the size of the hotel, there are quite a few restaurants serving everything from bar snacks and brasserie classics to family fare and fine dining options. The American Bar is iconic for its 1920s cocktail lounge where one can enjoy unique signature drinks and vintage champagnes along with caviar and canape bites. The hotel is also known for its humongous golf course where guests can take part in championship courses as well as a nine-hole Academy course for new players.
