SL Reviews Britain’s Coolest Country House Hotel
It’s steeped in history…
Beaverbrook, or Cherkley Court as it was named when built in 1866, was bought by British-Canadian publishing tycoon, Max Aitken – Lord Beaverbrook in 1910. Politicians, artists and writers were entertained by Beaverbrook, not least Winston Churchill who spent many a weekend there. His room remains – navy blue walls, his desk in front of the window overlooking the road (as opposed to the picturesque gardens) because he liked the light a north facing room brought in whilst he painted at the end of the day.
If you’re interested in history, you’ll also appreciate another of Churchill’s favourite rooms: the library, which, jam-packed with tomes from Lord Beaverbrook’s personal collection, is where the Prime Minister used to sit back, relax and while away the afternoon; the spitfire emblem the hotel has adopted (Beaverbook commissioned the Spitfire – the plane that played a key role in us and our allies winning the second world war) and countless other artefacts scattered throughout the house.
The interiors are spot on…
Designed by Susie Atkinson of Soho House fame, the interiors are fitting for a property of this stature. Vast floor-to-ceiling windows are adorned with swooshing pelmets and opulent curtains in sumptuous but feminine fabrics. Furniture is traditional and elegant but not old-fashioned. Walls are covered in soft pink or green fabrics or Liberty wallpapers. The look is grand but pretty; impressive but unintimidating.
Rooms with character…
There are 18 in the main house, named after the great and good that stayed there during Lord Beaverbrook’s era. They include Fleming (after the James Bond creator – one of our favourite rooms), Kipling and Taylor (after Elizabeth of course) which, if your budget is on the bigger side will get you a four-poster, a free-standing bath, an elegant seating area and a lot of space. But the beauty of Beaverbook is that the smaller rooms (and more affordable rooms) are really just as appealing, some of them more so. Imagine studded headboards, colourful soft furnishings, geometric and floral prints and generally an all-round cosy place to enjoy a stay away.
Food to-die-for…
An old English estate with an elegant, light and bright Japanese restaurant gets our vote. Popcorn shrimp, tuna tartar, black cod…. We’ve eaten them all before, but thanks to an ex-Nobu chef we’ve rarely, if ever, tasted them better. And if Japanese isn’t your thing, then the Garden House (a five-minute walk from the main house, with another 11 slightly cheaper bedrooms on offer) is a charming place to be, offering up seasonal dishes as well as a children’s menu both they and you will want to gobble up.
Endless entertainment…
An indoor cinema with cosy red velvet arm chairs (and a functioning vintage popcorn machine), it was the first home cinema in the UK and the art deco feel with the original woodwork and wall-mounted lamps remains. There are several screenings throughout the weekend or pop in and pick something from the film library and on a wintery day spend the most enjoyable of afternoons.
The spa everyone will talk about…
Otherwise known as the Coach House, the spa opens in January. It will be yet another jewel in Beaverbrook’s crown. Complete with a gym, yoga studio, treatment rooms – each one with its own individual private gardens – a vast indoor swimming pool, two outdoor pools, mani room, pedi room, a deli and a wood-burning oven. You get the picture, but rest assured it will be mega.
A unique atmosphere…
Despite all the money, toys, style and substance the owners of Beaverbrook have thrown at it, unlike myriad hotels of this standard Beaverbrook doesn’t take itself too seriously. The staff are welcoming and warm-hearted – nothing is too much trouble and it feels genuine. With or without children it’s a place where you can relax, be looked after and feel right at home. Just like Winston Churchill did.
Rooms start at £250 in the Garden House, £350 in the Main House; visit Beaverbrook.co.uk
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