Timeless Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire – One of England’s Finest Stately Homes

If Hartwell House is remarkable for its history, it is also remarkable for its architecture. True to the English tradition it has evolved in sympathy with changing tastes. The impressive house, which has both Jacobean and Georgian facades, contains beautiful rooms with rococo ceilings, antique furniture and paintings, yet with every contemporary comfort.

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.

Hartwell House has 32 superbly appointed bedrooms and suites, some named after the members of the Court of Louis XVIII. Hartwell Court, originally the eighteenth-century coach house and situated approximately 100 yards from the house, has been restored to provide 16 bedrooms and suites.

Hartwell House has fine Georgian interiors, dating from around 1760. The Morning Room and the Library are decorated in the Rococo style, with curvilinear marble chimney pieces and fluid plasterwork. The bookcases in the Library are fitted with some of the finest surviving gilt-brass wirework in the country.

Guests staying at Hartwell House can explore the outdoors and indoors with an overnight stay. 

Walk the Tree Guide and explore many trees across 94 acres Hartwell House’s gardens were landscaped by a contemporary of Capability Brown. Guests can follow a trail around the grounds 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).

Explore Garden Buildings and take a seat in the gardens The Gothic Tower is a romantic battlemented turret and a good place to start on any walk. A statue of Hercules can’t be missed whilst the Rusticated Arch now re-erected to provide a grand entrance to the SE corner of the grounds is a wonderful surprise when walking around the grounds.

Cross the famous Bridge within the Hartwell House grounds The Bridge comprises the central arch of James Paine’s Kew Bridge 1783-9. Walk across what was a road crossing over the Thames at Kew until increasing traffic required a wider bridge. The bridge looks as though it has always been at Hartwell. 

Time for Tennis or croquet in a tranquil setting There are two all-weather tennis courts in the grounds for guests to use throughout the year. These are perfectly secluded. Guests can enjoy a game of croquet on a lawn area in front of the library, which is set up throughout the year.

Walk along ‘Lime Avenue’ Aside from using the tree guide to explore, visible from a good distance, guests will admire ‘Lime Avenue’; a mile-long double avenue of limes which runs north from the house with 234 lime trees, planted in 1830.

Enjoy afternoon tea Sit back in The Great Hall which has little changed since it was transformed in 1739 by James Gibbs. The hall is home to open fireplaces, ideal to curl up by with a book or magazine and of course enjoy afternoon tea.   

The Library and The Morning Room Unwind before and after dinner in The Library which still has Rococo frieze and Chimneypiece and original bookcases. It is the perfect backdrop for a cocktail in a setting that has welcomed presidents and royalty. Admire the beautiful design and artwork in The Morning Room with a Rococo plasterwork ceiling and a matching chimneypiece. This room is perfect throughout the day and offers wonderful views of the gardens. 

Award-winning Cuisine Enjoy dinner in The Dining Room designed in the style of Sir John Soane and open daily to non-residents also. The classic British and European menu showcases local produce including from the hotel’s very own kitchen garden. 

Relax with a spa treatment Hartwell Spa in the grounds has a mosaic-lined indoor pool, sauna and steam room and gym. Spa treatments are offered in several treatment rooms.

Climb this way Take time to admire The Stairs showcasing original Jacobean woodwork and some familiar carved historic figures. Two of the balusters are carved to represent Winston Churchill and G K Chesterton. 

Hartwell House welcomes families with children over six years of age and selected rooms also welcome dogs by prior consent.

www.hartwell-house.com Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8NR 
B&B is priced from £295 per room per night and includes use of the spa facilities