Travel
Hartwell House & Spa: “A luxurious country retreat teeming with history and antique treasures”
We share our review of Hartwell House – a peaceful countryside retreat that’s brimming with quintessential British charm.
If walls could talk, Hartwell House would certainly have some stories to share.
First mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, the property belonged to William Peverel, son of William the Conqueror. Since then, it has undergone many iterations, with the main house being built between 1570 and 1617.
Hartwell was, for a short while in 1809, home to Louis XVIII, while the British Meteorological Society (now known as the Royal Meteorological Society) was founded here in 1850. Less than a century later, it housed British and American troops in World War II.
Fast forward to the present day and the house officially became a hotel in 1989, undergoing significant restoration to reform the property to its former glory.
We review Hartwell House & Spa
Arriving at Hartwell
It’s hard to believe that Hartwell is just an hour’s drive from London. Located in the Vale of Aylesbury and on the edge of the Chilterns, it sits within 90 acres of sweeping parkland.
A small car park is located to the side of the main house, with the opportunity to drop luggage at the front door if needed. Don’t be surprised if you’re immediately greeted by a helpful member of the Hartwell team – only too happy to offer a hand with heavy bags.
Check-in is swift. It’s not long before we’re being guided around the property (complete with a full history lesson of the house). We weave through public rooms that are teeming with historic paintings and antique treasures. It’s easy to feel transported to a time gone by.
The rooms
There are 30 rooms in the main house of Hartwell, each varying in space and levels of grandeur.
For a truly memorable weekend, opt for a Royal Four Poster Room. These spacious suites sit at each corner of the main house, offering uninterrupted views over the grounds. It’s easy to see why they were a favourite of King Louis XVIII’s.
Each Royal Four Poster Room comes – as you might’ve guessed – with an enormous four-poster bed, along with an en suite and shower. Penhaligon toiletries are an unexpected treat in the bathroom.
While the rooms are full of decorative antiques, modern creature comforts nestle between – a Nespresso machine, and flat screen television among them.
The food
Dinner at Hartwell House is a true highlight.
Begin with a drink at the bar or take it outside to the spacious terrace to enjoy views of the grounds as the sun dips below the tree line.
There is a full range of spirits available to sample, but wine lovers will be particularly impressed by Hartwell’s extensive wine list. Discover page upon page of bottles sourced from all over the world. There are the usual suspects from France and Italy, but also the opportunity to explore wine from further afield including Greece, Lebanon and Georgia.
Our three-course dinner is served in the main dining room, with a menu crafted from seasonal produce. A pleasant surprise was the availability of an additional vegetarian and vegan menu for those wishing to go meat-free.
Our go-to starter was, without a doubt, the pan-fried scallop with pork belly in a white wine sauce. Tender and full of flavour, we could’ve easily demolished several plates of these!
The cheese soufflé was our pick for the main. Light and fluffy, it was served with a broccoli and stilton purée, alongside a poached pear and sprinkling of crunchy walnuts. Delicious!
We had little room for pudding, but did manage to share a plate of the lemon mousse with white chocolate glaze. This tempting dessert, delicately decorated with a chocolate honeycomb, was a refreshing way to round-off the evening.
The spa
The spa is located a short walk from the main house within Hartwell Court. This former riding school and stables has since been restored to more luxurious facilities.
It is quiet when we visit – so much so that we have the spa to ourselves for well over an hour.
We swim a few lengths in the generously-sized pool to work off last night’s dinner, before kicking back in the jacuzzi, bubbles pummeling any remaining tension from our muscles.
A patio area outside with sunbeds is a great little sun trap. While away the hours with a good book, or simply top up on some additional vitamin D. The spa also features a large steam room, with saunas located in both the male and female changing rooms.
In a nutshell
Hartwell House offers the perfect escape for city dwellers to enjoy a slower pace of life in the countryside. If you’re seeking a luxurious break with delicious food and top-notch service, Hartwell House will not disappoint.
All images courtesy of Hartwell House & Spa – Historic House Hotels
