As a special treat at Coworth Park, Berkshire

A birthday celebration for Liz at the beautiful Coworth Park, Berkshire near London. It was unfortunate that Lesley Skelt the Executive Housekeeper at Coworth Park was away on that day and we were unable to meet up but her well briefed team did a great job of showing us all through the property. The hotel is part of the Dorchester collection and is a stunning 70-room luxury country house hotel set in 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland just 45 minutes from central London, 20 minutes from Heathrow airport and very close to Ascot.  It even has its own helipad! The estate boasts an eco-luxury Spa with indoor pool and three restaurants, including relaxed dining in The Barn and the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant overseen by John Campbell.

The only UK hotel to feature its own polo fields, current facilities include stabling for 30 horses together with self-contained accommodation for grooms and a full programme of polo tournaments.

The history of Coworth Park House, a handsome Georgian building, dates back to 1776. Throughout the 1800’s the estate has passed through the hands of a number of owners. It is perhaps best known as the home of the 17th Earl of Lord Derby who bought it in 1899 and lived there for almost 50 years until his death in 1948.

After Lady Derby’s death in 1957, the house was converted first into a convent school and later into offices. In the mid 1980’s Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason founder, Galen Weston took over ownership and developed its first polo field. In 2001 it was taken over by Dorchester Collection who have painstakingly recreated the Georgian Manor House and picturesque grounds to create a truly stunning Country House Hotel and Spa.

The Dower House is the signature suite and the jewel in Coworth Park’s crown. A Grade 2 listed building it has been sensitively transformed into a private residence with three bedrooms, a private kitchen, dining room, lounge and snug. It also has its own garden with a stream running through it, home to Coworth Park’s family of swans.