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London definitely merits a trip by itself - and its own Route du Bonheur! Yet, beyond Britain’s capital, an entire region lies in wait with unexpected surprises in store. Journeying out of London through Woodstock, Oxford and Aylesbury and onto Buckinghamshire, we traverse an entire swathe of the kingdom’s history and culture. Royal castles, century-old regattas, treasured libraries, legendary horse races and universities follow one after another amid scenery that is romantic and green in equal measure. While on this route, you never quite know who you’ll bump into: fishermen and jockeys, lords of the manor, Grand Chefs or even Churchill’s ghost. All England is distilled here, with its endearing and elegant sense of style and humour...
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur: suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
*Total price provided for information only, based on accommodation for two people in a double room for the number of nights per property as indicated on this page, exclusive of recommended activities, properties that cannot be reserved online and restaurants.
Hotel and restaurant in the country. Behind its imposing period façade, this grand 17th century stately home boasts interiors brimming with English charm. Exquisite antique furniture and oil paintings contribute to creating a warm and very intimate ambiance. Not surprising that it has hosted many famous names throughout its history, and some of them, such as Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill, have even lent their names to rooms. Cliveden House, in the heart of Berkshire, is renowned for its magnificent 376 acre estate overlooking the River Thames offering tranquillity and exquisite dining just outside London and a stone’s throw from Windsor, Ascot and Heathrow.
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In England, the Queen is an icon and her castle a jewel, which can be visited under the watch of the famous guards. Open to the public, George IV's private apartments, St George's Chapel and the amazing Queen Mary's Dolls' House offer an insight into the splendors of the royal family. A visit that extends into the largest castle in the world's vast 13 hectare park...
On the route
Henley Royal Regatta
In the first week of July each year, all of England's noble and distinguished families meet on the banks of the River Thames, at Henley-on-Thames, for the prestigious Royal Regatta. The many rowing races take place over 2,112 m (1 mile and 550 yards) and they attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. This festival brings together the high society and is also a real fashion show for hats!
Hotel and restaurant in the country. The Vineyard has been described as a temple to Californian wine. Just outside Newbury, about an hour from London, it certainly deserves its reputation and more. The cellar holds over 30,000 wines from both the New and Old Worlds, as well as the unique and award-winning estate wines of the owner, Sir Peter Michael. At the helm of the kitchen is Robby Jenks, an inspirational chef that takes local, sustainable and seasonal produce to deliver a triumphant blend of old world taste and new world values. Recreating classical dishes using modern techniques, Robby delivers a simple but perfect dining experience. The hotel lives up to expectations, too: traditional bedrooms, spacious contemporary suites, spa and a private art collection to die for, make it a delightful retreat for gourmands and the curious alike.
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What an atmosphere there is in this prestigious racecourse! Its track is one of the most beautiful in the country and the horses on the starting line are among the finest and quickest in the kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II even comes here to watch her protégés race! The tradition of horse racing at this track dates back to 1905. That just goes to show all the history and beauty that this place has…
Restaurant and hotel in the country. Just outside Oxford, Chef Raymond Blanc presides over a magnificent manor house, renowned for its hotel, cuisine and stunning gardens. For Blanc, “if the work itself is transient, the memory of the flavour remains”. Amongst the abounding lavender, Blanc grows almost 90 varieties of vegetables and over 70 aromatic herbs, which you find on your plate, in one way or another. Blanc swears only by organic produce. The suites of the hotel, which all have evocative names and distinctive feels, the exoticism of Opium, the haven of tranquillity of Blanc de Blanc, the exuberance of Vettriano, are just as sublime. Enchantment in the land of Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Hotel and restaurant in the country. Hartwell House, one of England’s stately homes just forty miles north west of London. Hartwell House is a picture-book country house set within magnificent landscaped grounds. While the actual building dates from the 17th century, the history of the property itself, once host to the court of Louis XVIII in exile, goes back to Edward the Confessor, almost one thousand years ago. Its architecture bears the traces of successive periods and styles, from the rococo marble chimneypieces to the baroque style of the grand hall, and yet retains an elegant integrity. Its opulent rooms, with their high ceilings and period furniture, are perfect examples of quintessential English charm.
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A Baroque masterpiece, Blenheim Palace was given to the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill by the Queen of England for his victory over the French troops in 1704. It was built between 1705 and 1722 by the architect John Vanbrugh and its park was redesigned by the famous landscape gardener Lancelot 'Capability' Brown (at the origin of the two lakes). Its romantic gardens, among the most beautiful in the Kingdom, make up a "naturalistic Versailles". It was in this property, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that Winston Churchill was born in 1874.
Considered to be the largest in Europe, this reserve extends over almost 240 hectares. More than 2,500 species of animals rub shoulders at this site that you can discover by car or steam train! The authorities of the reserve - which depends on London Zoo - have tried to allow wild animals to move around as freely as possible within the park (giraffes, leopards, elephants, lemurs, etc.). To the great delight of its visitors...
