31 March, 2017
There are hotels that you appreciate for their design daring (though you know you could never live with their eccentric décor). There are also hotels that you welcome for their remoteness (but you know you'd go mad if you had to stay forever). And then there are hotels that you genuinely wish you could turn into your own home.
Welcome to The Garden House, an English countryside retreat located just a hop, skip and a jump from London. With interiors designed by Nicola Harding, this 11-bedroom getaway, located on Beaverbrook Estate, has all the laid-back glamour of The Pig, combined with the colourful accents of the Firmdale Group.
Take the snug, for instance. With a geometric, green-and-purple carpet, bright floral wallpaper, teal window frames and a perennially burning fire, it's the perfect spot for perusing weekend papers in style. Look out of the window for a glimpse of the walled grounds that are home to a vegetable patch and a meadow spangled with wildflowers. Cast your gaze a little further and you'll arrive at Beaverbrook House. Owned by Lord Beaverbrook (who was a close friend of Winston Churchill) the late-Victorian house date backs is approaching the end of a six-year renovation period, which has breathed new life into the stately home.
Come September, 24 rooms will inside the main house and the grounds will also host a state-of-the-art spa. But we must admit that we're more than happy to make do with The Garden House for now.
English through and through. Think deep beds, rose chintz curtains, antique writing desks and walls lined with botanical prints. Our bathroom was painted Dorset green and had a cavernous claw foot tub as well as a veritable library of Penguin classics by the double sinks. Rooms from £280.
A continental table of pastries, fresh bread and fruits is included in the price of the room. You can also order off the a la carte menu - the spinach scramble and buttermilk pancakes with bacon hit the spot.
The Garden House restaurant is usually fully booked for both lunch and dinner throughout the weekend. And for good reason. Expect "Britalin" dishes such as devon crab linguini and monkfish and pancetta on a bed of puy lentils. Roasts are served on a Sunday.
Not as such, but there's a "drinks hole" located in the snug through which carefully crafted nightcaps appear. There's also a communal mini-bar on the landing stashed with Sipsmith spirits.
Cooking classes led by chef Kaz Sazuki, free bicycle rental, endless walks and a spa (due to open in September of this year).
The estate at large is still under construction, so expect the odd sign of behind-the-scenes work.
Beaverbook House and acres of open fields and ancient woodland.
