A former residence of an exiled French king, this luxury stately home is blessed with 94 glorious acres of gardens and parklands, making this National Trust property the perfect place to live out your Bridgerton fantasies
Location
Hartwell House is located within the Vale of Aylesbury and on the edge of the Chilterns, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s 40 miles northwest of London and a 38-minute direct train ride from London Marylebone to Haddenham & Thame Parkway. From here, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride away (there’s a rank at the railway station). It’s 13 miles from the M40 motorway and Oxford is just 20 miles away. The area is teeming with historical sights: Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor, Bletchley Park and Claydon House are all within an hour’s drive away, so access to a car is an advantage; Hartwell House guests can enjoy discounted or complimentary access.
Read more: Where can you discover the best natural beauty in the UK?
The vibe
Like being let loose in your very own Saltburn, except with less death and more scones. Luxurious, decadent and pretty much irresistible, Hartwell House is part of living history. The present building dates back to the 17th century, but was first mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to William Peveral, a favourite and supposed illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. From the moment you arrive at the main house, expect to be dazzled by a series of increasingly lavish spaces, with opulent furnishings, antique furniture and vast rooms filled with coffee-table books, fresh flowers and original paintings. Georgian interiors reveal intricately decorated ceilings, a grand staircase is home to an eccentric mix of carved figures and elegant arches give way to a Rococo frieze and marble chimneypieces… the effect is gasp-inducing.
Service
Exemplary. Staff decked out in formal wear are waiting to take your luggage upon arrival, before giving you a brief tour of the main house and its history to help you get your bearings. From afternoon tea in the drawing room, to dinner in the dining room, nothing is too much trouble. One young staff member possessed an encyclopaedic knowledge about the property and its…
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