A very British tradition

Brooke Duder escapes to the countryside and explores luxury country house hotel and spa, Coworth Park 

With our borders open, holiday-makers seem to be taking it upon themselves to drown our social feeds with their European getaways. Of all the spots they roam to, it’s the English countryside which has us giddy. Conjuring a heady mix of romanticism and nostalgia, whether you’ve visited in person or virtually via British period dramas, we’re dreaming of the quintessential English escape. 

First on our wish list? Coworth Park. A luxury country house hotel and spa set in 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland. The enchanting grounds are worthy of a magazine feature of their own. French doors spill out to rose terraces, immaculately manicured lawns, duck-filled ponds, secret paths, trickling streams and sky-reaching oak trees. Spring delivers a blanket of yellow and lavender-hued wildflowers. But don’t let the fairytale-like meadow fool you into expecting shabby-chic, country clichés. Coworth Park is high country elegance at its finest. So do bring your gumboots (ahem, wellies), just make sure they're fancy. Then again, with the unparalleled level of service on offer, if you forget anything, the ever-helpful staff will make sure it’s hand-delivered. 

Rooms in the Mansion House blend Georgian charm with contemporary furnishings. Every detail carefully considered to make you feel relaxed and at home (if home came with its own helipad). A short walk away, more secluded converted stables and cottages deliver a different theme but with the same impeccable eye for detail. Delightful equestrian touches are a nod to the stables’ former use and agricultural architecture. And if it’s complete seclusion you’re after, North Lodge is the new three-bedroom, private, stand-alone gatehouse cottage located on the outskirts of the grounds, with full access to the rest of the estate. Whatever abode you choose to rest your head, you can be assured next-level comfort. Ornate four-poster beds and exquisite linen pair with modern touches such as flatscreen Bang and Olufsen TV’s and Nespresso machines. The heavenly bathrooms include heated floors, rainfall showerheads, roll-top copper baths and of course, those breathtaking country views. 

“While the finest of British cuisine, wildflower meadows and Bridgerton-like settings will forever remain in one’s memory, it’s the eco-luxury spa which firmly embeds Coworth Park as one of our greatest getaway recommendations”

The reason for the estates' quietly confident grandeur may be its rich history which has seen it pass through the hands of prosperous landowners and Lords and Ladies since 1776. The Earl of Derby called Coworth Park home for the early half of the 19th century, and in the mid-1980s, the estate was purchased by owner of Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason, Galen Weston, who built its first polo ground and stables. Today, the estate still stands as the only UK hotel to feature its own polo fields. Managed by the prestigious Guards Polo Club, the polo grounds show that here at Coworth Park, things aren't done by halves. 

The country manor may be rooted firmly in history, but its values are refreshingly forward-thinking. One of the UK’s most environmentally-friendly hotels, it incorporates renewable and low-energy technologies. What’s more, the hotel aims to reduce total carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% thanks to radically different approaches to heating, cooling and lighting.

Under the culinary guidance of executive chef Adam Smith, the hotel offers exceptional dining options, including Michelin Star-awarded restaurant, Coworth Park. Rather unsurprisingly, it was hard to quell our excitement at the announcement of a new restaurant. Woven by Adam Smith is due to be unveiled this September, the stunning setting and interior design, exquisite food, warm service and stories the restaurant tells will combine to create an unforgettable dining experience. 

While the finest of British cuisine, wildflower meadows and Bridgerton-like settings will forever remain in one's memory, it’s the eco-luxury spa that secures Coworth Park as one of our greatest getaway recommendations. Here, the spa isn’t an obligatory hotel ‘add-on’ - it’s a main event. In an impressive feat of architecture, the curved two-story spa is set into the landscape and topped by a ‘living roof’ of lavender and thyme. Every conceivable wellbeing desire is catered for. Want to swim alongside the energy of sparkling amethyst crystals? Sure. Underwater music and atmospheric lighting in a heated pool - but of course. Fancy a bite? Order a healthy treat or afternoon tea care of the Spatisserie. A eucalyptus-infused steam room - right this way. When it comes to treatments, guests are spoilt for choice. Our eyes (and ears) are firmly fixed on an exciting new sound therapy treatment developed by luxury seaweed skincare brand ishga and sound wellness brand Swell. The 90-minute treatment begins with a seaweed foot bath, followed by the dreamy chimes of a singing bowl that lead into a Balinese-inspired massage, finishing with a warm oil pouring onto the scalp and a relaxing head massage, before concluding with a calming awakening from the singing bowl. Another spa highlight, although not as ethereal but equally enjoyable, is the spa’s relaxation room. Equipped with a large selection of books, why not get lost in a spot of Jane Austen before exploring any number of British pastimes; a game of croquet on the lawn, tea and scones in the conservatory, horse riding, tennis, or perhaps the most English of leisurely pursuits, a long country walk. 

@coworthpark | dorchestercollection.com

Interview by Brooke Duder