With UK properties in Chelsea and Surrey, Beaverbrook offers a spectacular city-to-country escape for your next trip to London.
As I gazed across Italianate gardens to the rolling hills of south-east England, the cream facade of the 19th century manor house sparkling in the sunshine and a glass of Champagne in my hand, I felt like I’d gone back in time. I’d been transported to the Roaring Twenties, an era when the Lords and Ladies of Britain ruled the land from their glamorous countryside boltholes, and nothing was on my itinerary beyond a swim in the pool and a game of tennis. My imagination, it turns out, wasn’t far off the truth, as the estate I found myself in, Beaverbrook, was once the home of the late Lord Beaverbrook, Max Aitken.
The Canada-born Baron, former owner of the Daily Express newspaper, was a member of high society and long-standing friend of Winston Churchill. During WWII, he assumed the role of Minister for Aircraft Production and was involved in the making of iconic planes including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Tiger Moth. Nods to these aircraft can be found throughout the property, from decorative models in the hallways to emblems adorning staff uniforms.
Nestled in the picturesque Surrey Hills, the quintessential English manor house sits in 190 hectares of gardens and woodlands. After Aiken passed, the estate was taken under the guardianship of the National Trust and underwent an extensive restoration to the tune of around €100 million before reopening as a luxury hotel in 2017. Now, it’s a charming weekend retreat for Londoners and visitors to the British capital seeking respite from the bustle of the city.
Guests can choose from a selection of accommodations, including the elegant main House, the peaceful Garden House, the charming Coach House, and the cosy Village, where family suites can be found. We were in a Garden House Cottage, next to the estate’s traditional walled garden where herbs and vegetables are grown for the kitchen. The cottage, like many others, was decorated with botanicalthemed artwork and colourful, countryfarmhouse- inspired furniture. It was a perfect blend of traditional English charm and fun touches such as vintage turn-dial phones and radios as well as a complementary minibar of British treats.
The facilities at Beaverbrook are remarkably considered and offer something for all ages and interests. The Coach House features a health club with heated indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, a deli serving healthy cuisine and a spa hosting an array wellness therapies. The main house is home to a formal dining room serving refined Japanese fare, a pretty orangery, a vintage cinema, a light-filled drawing room and a well-stocked bar where one could easily imagine Winston Churchill sitting smoking a cigar with Lord Beaverbrook. The Garden House, meanwhile, has a more low-key restaurant serving fresh British fare—handdived Scottish scallop and Cornish Dover sole were highlights at dinner—plus an inviting breakfast room with a view.
The grounds feature myriad sports courts for tennis, padel and pickleball; lawns for croquet and pétanque; and a treehouse and kids’ club for the littlest of guests. Surrounding the estate is an expansive golf course and golf club. All facilities are open to guests; simply ask one of the personable, smartly dressed staff and they’ll equip you with everything you need—including Wellington boots if the British weather turns.
Realising there was demand for Beaverbrook-style comforts in London, the property’s investors made the decision to expand the portfolio and acquired a duo of townhouses in London. Centrally located on the doorstep of Chelsea and Knightsbridge, the Beaverbrook Town House brings the charm of the estate to the city, while injecting it with the flair of the capital.
As I checked into this sister hotel, the same maximalist wallpapers followed me from the country, as did the distinctive geranium fragrance of Bamford products and many of Beaverbrook’s quirky accessories. While the rural estate is built around relaxation, the city boutique hotel is ideal for entertainment. It’s filled with social spaces including the Art Deco-style Sir Frank’s Bar, offering a tempting menu of signature cocktails, and The Fuji Grill, which serves delicate Japanese dishes from the land and sea, and sushi that’s on par with Mayfair’s leading restaurants.
Suites—of which there are three tiers— are individually designed by Nicola Harding and named and themed after a London theatre. Ours, The Haymarket, was loud and colourful, with a blue tiled bathroom, a cosy living area and vintage posters of past productions such as Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance.
While characterful, Beaverbrook Town House is also welcoming. Guests are encouraged to treat the house as their own, including ordering breakfast in bed at no extra charge.
Many visitors to England are faced with the tough choice between the energy of London and the tranquillity of the countryside, but with Beaverbrook, you don’t need to pick. Simply combine a trip to the townhouse with a weekend away at the estate and enjoy the best of both worlds. Just as Churchill would’ve done.
