Three estates for Britain’s elite - or those aspiring to be
With all eyes on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s just-announced engagement — and the new release of season 2 of “The Crown,” which chronicles the life of the young Queen Elizabeth II — living the life of a British aristocrat may seem to be fantasy. But travelers to England can actually revel in their splendor, thanks to lavish estates that now house well-heeled guests. Here, three of the best hotels for a countryside escape across the pond.
Like a scene from “Downton Abbey,” only more opulent, the striking Cliveden House about 30 miles from central London has a rich history of notoriety: royal mistresses and political scandals, all recorded in a book by Natalie Livingstone, the wife of its current owner, billionaire property developer Ian Livingstone. This grand 376-acre estate, which was once home to the Astors (yes, those aristocratic Astors), is now a favorite of Stella McCartney and Cyndi Lauper.
It’s a tony hotel that boasts a newly renovated spa complex with the only listed outdoor pool on Britain’s historical register. Among the other luxurious scrubs and divine treatments offered, the Oskia Glow Facial stands out for its resulting “non-surgical facelift.” The spa’s restaurant offers healthy bites in a relaxing ambience, while the Astor Grill is a lively and fun place to go for a light lunch or dinner. Yet despite all its grandeur, Cliveden somehow feels relaxed. So go ahead, sip a classic cocktail in the library by a roaring fire like some duchess in a Hollywood movie (from $595).
Getting there: Take National Rail, from London’s Paddington Station, about 40 minutes to Taplow, located a 10-minute cab ride from Cliveden (from about $14 for a one-way ticket).
If you died and went to heaven, you’d probably still miss Chewton Glen.
Located in New Milton — on England’s southern coast, about 100 miles from London — this luxurious-yet-relaxed property is a short walk from the English Channel. There, a stately manor with oversize windows houses modern — and simply decorated — interiors. A handsome spa and detox retreat center, coupled with a newly launched cooking school headed by BBC-famous chef James Martin, highlight the emphasis on health and renewal. But if that doesn’t impress you, live out your rock star fantasy, laying down a track in the hotel’s own recording studio. You can also splash out on a private Treehouse Hideaway Suite (from $1,875), complete with an outdoor hot tub in the forest canopy, where you can also arrange for a private couples massage accompanied by rustling leaves (from $435).
Getting there: Chewton Glen is fairly remote, so it’s best to drive from London.
It’s the food that stands out at Lygon Arms, a newly renovated coaching inn that dates back to the 1300s. Some 100 miles northwest of London — in the Cotswolds, the bucolic weekend destination of choice for the capital’s elite — the hotel serves up seasonal menus and locally sourced produce. A bar and grill and a separate wine bar opened at the end of the summer.
Bites at the latter include Mediterranean-inspired tapas (think spicy sausage arancini), while the grill offers plenty of fish and pasta dishes — including portobello mushroom lasagna and duck terrine.
Lygon Arms has hosted glamorous guests: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton escaped to this retreat in 1963 at the peak of the scandal surrounding their love affair. It’s no wonder why. Centuries-old stone fireplaces, rich wood paneling and beamed ceilings from the 1600s, alongside sumptuous velvet couches, offer an intimate backdrop for a romantic weekend and an overall luxurious experience.
A spiffed up spa features a gorgeous indoor plunge pool (from $320).
Getting there: National Rail heads from Paddington to nearby Evesham, which is a 15-minute drive from the hotel (from $52 for a one-way ticket).