Our green and pleasant land is replete with beautiful country bolt holes, glorious landscapes and some of the prettiest beaches in the world, not to mention manor houses that put the rest of the globe to shame.
Enter in Pennyhill Park, a beautiful ivy-clad Victorian manor set in the pretty, bucolic Surrey hills, famed for its traditional English aesthetic, dedication to luxury and its award-winning spa.
Taking us less than an hour to drive from Central London, it’s also supremely easy to reach; the ideal choice for a quick getaway from the big smoke.
On arrival, we were shown to our room, Tamarisk – each of the 123 rooms having their own unique name; a huge, split-level bedroom in the main house, complete with Queen size bed and iPad to do everything from order breakfast in bed to watch a DVD of your choice on the giant plasma TV.
Sweeping staircases, chandeliers and tapestries are set against far more modern mod-cons such as a super-sleek bathroom (a TV in the bath is always welcome), warp-speed Wi-Fi and light-up, sensory rain showers.
One of the trademarks of Pennyhill is its sprawling spa – 45,000 square feet to be exact, and after a light lunch in the bar, we were eager to try it out.
The Surrey sunshine was on its best form as we laid our fluffy towels on a cushioned bed and ordered our cocktails beside the pool.
The spa itself comprises multiple experiences such as an ice cave, hamman, hydrotherapy pools and saunas, as well as a giant indoor pool and outdoor pool and changing rooms containing every amenity you could ever wish for.
Being a huge fan of the
Natura Bisse range, I opted for an Oxygen facial which interestingly took place inside an oxygen filled bubble. According to my friendly therapist Kamala, the purpose of the bubble was to maximise the properties of the products and experience by being surrounded by a purer variety of air.
After an hour of pure bliss and a newly refreshed complexion, I was shown to the relaxation room for a post-treatment snooze. Inside the candle lit room were gel filled beds, which were the most idyllic, nap inducing beds I have ever experienced and the perfect ending to a relaxing treatment.
Another renowned part of a Pennyhill stay is the food, and this was no disappointment.
Cutting his teeth at two Michelin Star restaurants, Pennyhill’s The Latymer head chef Matt Warswick has created a culinary hotspot that we’d heard plenty about and couldn’t wait to try.
Offering exclusively tasting menus, your palette is guaranteed a journey of bold flavours and surprising twists. Classic English fare (pig’s trotter and cockles provided just two of the ingredients of our 6-course dinner), got a contemporary update, with a touch of Middle Eastern and Asian fusion coming in with baba ganoush and cardamom yoghurt in a savoury cone.
Each course was expertly paired with wine by our super-sweet and tremendously knowledgeable French sommelier – we highly recommend the 2014 Dajoar Rieseling; complementing the truffle-filled profiteroles and girly gossip perfectly.
The service was impeccable – the sommelier even personally delivered a bottle of water we’d requested to our room after the meal – a necessity after the courses of octopus, beef, lamb, two delicious desserts and handmade macaroons to die for. Oh, and a cheese course.
A meal that truly lived up to the restaurant’s reputation and guaranteed an undisturbed night’s sleep.
Awaking from our rejuvenating slumber the following morning, there was a race to the iPad to order breakfast in bed before heading back to the city.
Tummies full of bacon and eggs; we loaded the car before reluctantly bidding farewell to our country retreat.
For more information or to book a stay at Pennyhill Park, visit their website >
The Luxe Life was a guest of Pennyhill but all views my own.
With turmoil over Brexit meaning that venturing abroad for your holiday is now eye-wateringly expensive, and the great British weather finally turning it on this summer, a UK holiday is now far more appealing than ever. And why wouldn’t it be?
