Spend 48 Hours at Hartwell House – One of the Stately Homes of England. This is the Hotel with Royal History

-The impressive house is filled with history and home to an award-winning restaurant
-94 acres of National Trust gardens to explore

The exiled King Louis XVIII of France lived at Hartwell House for five years with his Queen, Marie-Josephine de Savoie and members of his Court. Hartwell House has a truly remarkable history, stretching back almost a thousand years. Today, Hartwell House is a luxury hotel set within 94 acres of National Trust gardens in the Buckinghamshire countryside.  Here are 10 moments at the hotel:

1. A welcoming arrival with the magnificent equestrian life-size statue of Frederick, Prince of Wales which now stands in the centre of the entrance drive to the north of the house in front of Hartwell House – a Grade I listed building. This sets the scene for the grandeur of the house. 

2. Traditional Afternoon Tea either by an open fireplace in the winter or alfresco in the summer.
Little is more indulgent than enjoying Afternoon Tea served in the elegant and historic surroundings of the Morning Room, Drawing Room or Library at Hartwell House – the perfect setting to relax and enjoy this traditional English favourite. Guests and visitors can enjoy a beautifully prepared selection of finger sandwiches, a selection of home-made patisseries, freshly baked buttermilk scones along with an extensive choice of teas and coffee. Champagne and English sparkling wine can be added to enhance this traditional experience.

3. Take a stroll and discover 94 acres of National Trust gardens. Designed at the start of the 18th century and landscaped by a follower of Capability Brown, one Richard Woods, the gardens at Hartwell House, offer guests plenty to explore. Guests can spend hours discovering the grounds which include a Gothic Tower, a Statue of Hercules, a Bridge which comprises the central arch of James Paine’s Kew Bridge and the Canal Temple home to 10,000 daffodils. A kitchen garden used by the chefs features apricot, peach, pear and plum trees. 

4. Enjoy cocktails in one of the public rooms including the signature ‘Prince of Wales’ which is made with Cognac, Grand Marnier, Peychaud’s bitters, Brown Sugar and Champagne. Or guests can order the ‘King Louis’ which is based on the classic French 75, this cocktail has been created to honour Hartwell’s most famous resident. Bourbon, lemon, sugar syrup, and our house Champagne act as the gateway to a perfectly integrated combination of bourbon and citrus.

5. Unwind in the spa and enjoy 111SKIN Harley Street treatments. Hartwell Spa resides in the grounds with a mosaic-lined indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, gym and club room. Guests can enjoy treatments by leading brand 111SKIN and Jessica for manicures and pedicures.

6. More outdoor moments at the hotel. There are beehives in the gardens and all weather tennis courts. St Mary’s Church is located in the hotel grounds and the little octagonal church was rebuilt in 1753 by Henry Keene. It is one of the finest examples of the early Gothic Revival style. Guests can follow a trail around the grounds with a copy of their Tree Map, available in each bedroom, to identify 10 prize specimens, from a Horse Chestnut and a London Plane tree to a Giant Sequoia. This is a wonderful way to connect with Hartwell House’s outdoors.     

7. Dine in the 2 AA Rosette restaurant in a beautiful setting striking the perfect balance of ambience, service and delicious food. Executive Head Chef Daniel Richardson has created wholesome, flavoursome and imaginative dishes in a style dinner guests are able to select not only by choice but also by budget. Hartwell House endeavours to ensure ingredients on the menus are sourced from  sustainable land and sea stocks, by traditional farming methods, in particular from the hotel’s gardens and orchards and also from award winning Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire farmers to support the environment both locally and further afield.

8. Take in all the history in the public rooms at Hartwell House. In 1809, Hartwell House was leased to the exiled King Louis XVIII of France and his court. King Louis remained at Hartwell until 1814 when the constitutional document, confirming his accession to the throne, was signed in the library by the King. The Great Hall is a masterpiece of English baroque design and most of this room is virtually unchanged since its completion around 1740. The Morning Room and the Library are decorated in the Rococo style, with curvilinear marble chimney pieces. The bookcases in the Library are fitted with some of the finest surviving gilt-brass wirework in the country. The main Dining Room has been designed in the style of the eminent early 19th century architect, Sir John Soane. The restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes and is open daily for dinner and on Sundays for lunch. The unique staircase at Hartwell House is decorated with carved Jacobean figures and leads to a selection of luxury suites and bedrooms.

9. Enjoy a luxurious night’s sleep at Hartwell House. Accommodation is found in the 48 rooms and suites all individually designed in a traditional country house style and superbly furnished with antiques and fine paintings. Today a number of Royal Rooms and Royal Suites located in the main house offer the ultimate accommodation experience where guests are immersed in history. A number of ‘Royal Four Poster Rooms’ were once resided in by King Louis XVIII and his Queen and these four poster rooms are the perfect setting to celebrate and enjoy a true escape. There are four rooms situated at each corner of the main house decorated with antiques, fine paintings and awe-inspiring views of the gardens, parkland and lake.

10. A farewell breakfast with garden views served until 10am daily. In addition to Continental breakfast, the cooked English breakfast includes local Tring free range scrambled, fried, poached or boiled eggs, grilled back bacon, crispy streaky bacon, Oxfordshire pork sausage, grilled vine tomato, sautéed Portobello mushroom, black & white pudding. Vegetarian options are also available.

Hartwell House was the winner at Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026 for ‘Best for Romance’. The Good Hotel Guide awarded Hartwell House ‘Best Historic Hotel’ for 2026 at their recent Good Hotel Guide Cesar Awards. These awards go to the best hotels of the year. Inspired by Cesar Ritz, the most celebrated of hoteliers, these awards have been called the Oscars of hotel keeping. 

In September 2008, the hotel was donated to the National Trust to ensure its long-term protection. It continues to be managed by Historic House Hotels.

www.hartwell-house.com Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8NR, Tel:01296 747444
B&B priced from £318 per room per night and includes use of the spa facilities. Hartwell House welcome children over the age of six years. The hotel also welcome two small dogs or one large dog per selected suite (by prior request).