If the new season of Netflix’s 'Bridgerton' has you dreaming of traveling back in time to enjoy the lavish dinners, beautiful walks in the English countryside and life in a stately British manor home, don’t worry! You don’t actually need a time machine. Just spend a few days at one of these ten historic hotels in England to live out your Bridgerton fantasies.
Cliveden House in Berkshire
Located just an hour outside of London this stunning Victorian mansion was built in 1851 and has served as home to both the second Duke of Sutherland and the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor. Today it’s a 47-room hotel run by the National Trust. There are two on-site restaurants as well as two restored vintage boats available for guests who want to explore the surrounding countryside or picnic on the Thames for an additional cost.
Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire
Situated on a thousand-acre plot of land on the border between Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Luton Hoo Hotel itself is a popular film location having appeared, according to its website, in films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Enigma, Eyes Wide Shut, Inspector Morse, Nicholas Nickleby, Vanity Fair and Bleak House. Its 228 rooms are spread across five different buildings on the property, and there's a spa, golf courses and two restaurants. Bikes are available for rent to help guests tool around the beautifully landscaped grounds and swimming is encouraged in the nearby lake. There’s even a clay pigeon shooting school and croquet lawns for guests to enjoy.
Beaverbrook in Surrey
Originally built in 1866, Beaverbrook derives its name from its most well-known resident, Lord Beaverbrook, a publisher, politician and former Ministry of Aircraft Production for Britain during World War II.
In 2011, his home and two of the surrounding buildings were transformed into a hotel and restored to reflect the period when the politician would have lived here. Artwork abounds in and outside of the home, including a sculpture of the British single-seat fighter aircraft known as a Spitfire, which Beaverbrook doubled the production of during WWII. There’s also a spa, four restaurants, a private cinema (purported to be the first home cinema in Britain), and an activities program that includes a survival skills academy.
The Grove in Hertfordshire
The history of The Grove dates back far before the construction of the beautiful Georgian manor that houses the present-day hotel. Archeologists have found artifacts on the grounds dating to 3000 BC.
Formerly the home of the Earls of Clarendon, the interior of the hotel is quite modern. Even so, there are plenty of activities here to transport you to a bygone era. The hotel offers activities like clay pigeon shooting, hawking, archery, horseback riding and other activities that wouldn’t be out of the ordinary in the era when the manor was built.
Lime Wood in Hampshire
A Georgian manor house, surrounded by old wood forests might seem an unlikely place for a music festival, and yet the Lime Wood Hotel is one of the locations for the Smoked & Uncut summer music festival. When not the location of a major party, the house has a quiet elegance that blends past and present, with art-filled grounds, a luxury spa and a working Victorian greenhouse.
Goodwood in Sussex
The estate at Goodwood has been home to the Dukes of Richmond for hundreds of years. In fact, the 11th Duke of Richmond and Gordon owns the property to this day. The Duke and his family live on the property in Goodwood House, while guests stay in the hotel portion of the estate.
The Goodwood Hotel offers stylish rooms and four restaurants. It also makes a great stay for adventure seekers as it’s the location of several motorsport and horse racing events, and offers flying and race car driving experiences to guests for an additional cost.
Gravetye Manor in West Sussex
The garden is the star of the show at Gravetye Manor with its 35 acres of flowers, orchards and vegetables. The gardens were designed in 1885, by the manor's most notable owner, William Robinson. The hotel’s interior on the other hand, pays homage to the building's much older roots, the manor itself was built in 1598, while still ensuring that the 17 hotel rooms still offer every comfort necessary for modern visitors.
Hambleton Hall in Rutland
Built in 1881, Hambleton Hall still feels like a cozy English country home. There are 17 acres of grounds here to stroll through, including a walled kitchen garden that supplies some of the produce for the estate’s Michelin star restaurant.
Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire
Owned by the National Trust, this Jacobean and Georgian house boasts 90 acres of gardens and parkland designed by famous landscape architect Capability Brown, all within 40 miles of London. The historic interior and service can leave guests feeling like they’ve stepped back in time, while the on-site spa and innovative restaurant offer the comforts of the modern world.
Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire
Originally built in the mid-18th century, this 47 room manor blends old and new with a more modern luxury interior. It’s a great estate for foodies looking for sumptuous meals; there are three restaurants and three separate bars available on-site. The Three Graces spa, with its 18-meter indoor pool, provides luxurious opportunities to relax.
You might also like
Famous US hotels with a rich history to visit in 2022
11 incredible hotel room views to bookmark for your dream trip
10 legendary US restaurants that come with a side of history
