Coworth Park: where Prince Harry spent the night before the Royal Wedding
This Georgian manor house is the only hotel in the UK to have polo fields, an equestrian centre and stabling. A fitting spot then for Prince Harry and his best man Prince William to have spent the night before the royal wedding (even if it's unlikely they found time for the field game). Meanwhile, Meghan Markle was half an hour away at Cliveden House (recently reviewed by Sophie Dahl for Condé Nast Traveller).
Forget about old-fashioned charm or anything shabby chic: Coworth Park is a different beast entirely, with staff who wear headsets to communicate with each other and a veneer as polished as the fleet of Range Rovers in the drive. Just 45 minutes from London, on a 240-acre estate on the edge of Windsor Great Park, the sprawling white Georgian manor house was built as a private home in 1776, then sold in 2001 by Selfridges owner Galen Weston to the investment company behind the Dorchester Collection. While it has a laudable environmental policy, growing sustainable willow to fuel its biomass heating plant, for example; luxury still rules (a ballgown-clad harpist accompanies afternoon tea) and all the superlatives apply. From the size of the rooms to the beauty of the meadow-style gardens this hotel is manicured perfection, with four-poster beds, huge bathtubs and smoky oak flooring. And the atmosphere is as warm and welcoming as somewhere much smaller.
The 30 rooms in the main house are particularly grand and spacious; 40 rooms in the converted stables are cosier and have more character. And a detached, three-bedroom Dower House is available for exclusive use. Could this be where Prince Harry stayed the night before his nuptials?
For supper, Prince Harry likely visited Restaurant Coworth Park which is headed up by Adam Smith, who was awarded a Michelin star in October last year. The elegant restaurant serves dishes include a caviar tart with Cornish crab, yuzu and cucumber, Highland wagyu short rib and seabass artichoke, smoked tomato, buckwheat and lemon. The Barn, with its rustic wooden tables, serves dishes such as salmon Scotch eggs and Ascot pie with homeade piccalilli. Afternoon tea is available in the drawing room, from which there are fantastic views.
Other than polo, what's there to do at Coworth Park? There's walking, cycling and riding lessons. And a swimming pool which is very slick, lined in gigantic amethyst crystals and with music playing underwater. There are also den-like saunas and steam rooms to retreat to. And the treatments at the spa deliver exactly what is needed.
Scroll down for more pictures of Coworth Park.
**Address:**Coworth Park Hotel, Blacknest Rd, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5 7SE
Telephone: +44 1344 876600
Webiste: dorchestercollection.com
Price: Bed and breakfast from £372