Watch out Cotswolds – there’s another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty around, and this slice of English countryside is closer to the capital, with all the tranquillity, quaint villages and rural landscapes you’d hanker for in a weekend break. Market towns such as Amersham, Henley-on-Thames and foodies’ favourite Marlow are what make the Chilterns worth the trip.
The Chilterns’ untouched beauty means for a place to rest after a soul-nourishing hike or cycle, the towns and villages on its edges are the best bet. If you love a restored historical pub with chic rooms, you’ll be thrilled at the amount found here, but there are solid options for both higher and lower budgets, as well as some lovely country piles.
The best hotels in the Chilterns are:
(The Crown)
Neighbourhood: Amersham
At the end of the Metropolitan tube line, the market town of Amersham has a smattering of lodgings, but none are more refined than The Crown, a former coaching inn. With many of its 45 rooms overlooking the courtyard, history and modernity combine in the bedrooms, one of which made a cameo in the 90s classic Four Weddings and a Funeral. Imagine settling in for the night with light neutral tones, earthy materials and a statement rolltop bath, as envisaged by designer Ilse Crawford (responsible for Soho House New York, and Grand Hotel Stockholm among others). Dinner is at Hawkyns, serving refined Indian fare from Michelin-celebrated chef Atul Kochhar.
Price: Doubles from £117, B&B
At Handywater Cottage your hosts have the personal touch
(Handywater Cottages)
Neighbourhood: Henley-on-Thames
Get a taste of country life at this B&B with just four rooms. In a true labour of love, owners Natalie and Ray have restored a 17th-century cottage, surrounded by countryside, into a welcoming and peaceful base for a restorative getaway. Set two alarms to ensure you’re up for breakfast – it’s a feast of homemade goodness, including eggs from the hens you’ll see pecking around the cottage, fruit skewers, and the couple’s homemade jams. If they’re free, they’re happy to do drop-offs and pick-ups – which opens up the world of linear walks.
Price: Doubles from £145, B&B
The view from Shillingridge glampsite
(Shillingridge Glamping)
Neighbourhood: Lower Woodend
This glamping site opened in the depths of the Chiltern countryside in 2019, and consists of just two safari lodges within a two-acre paddock — keep an eye out for the resident horses, dogs, and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…