Hartwell House is a country house hotel in the village of Hartwell near Aylesbury in leafy Buckinghamshire. Owned by the National Trust, the beautifully restored 18th century stately home is set amongst 90 acres of estate with guest rooms both in the main house and the 18th century converted coach houses. Magnificent spaces furnished with antiques and paintings reflect the importance of Hartwell’s most famous guest – Louis XVIII, exiled king of France and his court.
The Hotel
Hartwell House is an impressive Grade I listed house, which has both Jacobean and Georgian facades dating from around 1760 and contains 52 beautiful bedrooms with rococo ceilings, antique furniture and paintings, yet with contemporary comfort.
The Restaurant
Dining here is a spectacular affair and the world famous Aylesbury Duck has got everyone quack quacking for more! Aylesbury ducks are the ne plus ultra of all ducks. The duck is distinguished by its pure white plumage, bright orange feet, and bill flesh-coloured ‘like a lady’s fingernail’. The adults are larger than most other ducks and the average weight is between 6lbs and 7lbs.
Evolving in the 18th century, Aylesbury ducks were the most sought after birds for the fashionable and wealthy. Mrs Beeton wrote ‘the white Aylesbury duck is a favourite bird for the table, its flesh being whiter and more delicate than that of other varieties’.
Over the past 100 years Aylesbury ducks have disappeared from English menus because they were no longer being bred, but now, an enterprising local farmer has revived them and they are once more available for discerning lovers of fine food. Head Chef Daniel Richardson prepares Aylesbury Duck in the traditional manner; crispy confit legs and breast meat glazed with marmalade.
Head chef Daniel Richardson has generated accolades including 2 AA Rosettes for the restaurant. Daniel places great emphasis on using locally sourced and home grown food and works with a network of local farmers. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are all served at Hartwell House.
The Grounds
The 90 acre gardens were laid out, at the start of the 18th century, in the formal style with allées and garden buildings: temples, columns, an obelisk, garden statuary, canals and an amazing yew tree exedra. The designer was probably James Gibbs, who certainly designed the garden buildings. By the middle of the 18th century most of the formality had been swept away and the garden was landscaped by a contemporary of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, one Richard Woods.
Guests can follow the trail around the grounds of the Historic House Hotel, with a copy of their Tree Map, to identify 10 prize specimens, from a Horse Chestnut and a London Plane tree to a Giant Sequoia (an 87- ft domed conifer which bears cones all year round).
Once graced by Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, and today owned by the National Trust, the Grade-I listed house, which has both Jacobean and Georgian facades, boasts a mile-long avenue of 234 lime trees, planted in 1830.
Budding arborists will also spot a large, shapely Walnut tree before you reach the Egyptian Well and Spring (a folly built in 1850). Walnut is highly prized by furniture makers for its fine, straight grained timber. By autumn you should see the tree covered in large edible, fruits.
Growing by the ice house in the park is a Cedar of Lebanon; and to the right of the house a magnificent Sycamore (the tree was originally introduced to this country by the Romans).
On the west lawn, guests will also spot four Tulip Trees (the glossy green leaves are tulip-shaped, turning a bright gold colour in autumn). And don’t miss the Chusan Fan Palm, introduced around 1850 from China.
The Spa
Set in the grounds, the Hartwell Spa offers a mosaic-lined indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, gym and Spa Café and Bar overlooking the pool. Rejuvenate in the New Year with Aromatherapy Associates’ Ultimate Detox and Reviver, an invigorating 55-minute treatment specially designed as an intensive body detox, priced £64. For the face, the 55-minute Aroma Lift Facial is one of Aromatherapy Associates most advanced and gives noticeable results for those concerned with the first signs of ageing, smoothing fine lines and plumping the complexion, £74. For spa day visits, Hartwell Spa offers ‘Indulgence Day Spa’ packages priced from £120.00 which include use of all the Spa facilities and an 85-minute treatment from the Spa Tariff and a two course lunch in the Spa Café to include a tea or coffee.
Address: Hartwell House, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8NR / Tel:01296 747444
