postcards from England | Cliveden House

Cliveden House (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Have you ever wanted to stay at one of those impressive mansions scattered through the English countryside? You can get that chance at Cliveden House during your next trip to the UK. Set on 375 acres above the Thames River, the estate has manicured themed gardens and endless forest trails, so beautiful that they attract a half million visitors a year. The estate is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public who can walk the grounds, come for tea in the Great Hall, or enjoy an elaborate dinner in the French Dining Room.

Cliveden has been home to British nobility, including an earl, three countesses, two dukes, and a Prince of Wales. It was purchased by American millionaires, William Waldorf Astor and Nancy Astor, in 1893. In an interesting historical twist, Lady Astor became the first woman member of the House of Lords, even though she was American.

Now a luxury hotel, you can spend a night or two at Cliveden. Just a half hour from Heathrow, even during rush hour, this is an ideal place to spend your last night before flying home. A notable recent guest was Meghan Markle who stayed here the night before her wedding to Prince Harry. Pictured below is the Buckingham Suite, the room at which I have stayed during both of my visits. Virtuoso guests receive full daily English Breakfast for two and a $100 hotel credit which you can apply towards dinner or a treatment at the spa.

Buckingham Suite (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Heathrow countryside airport hotels

If you're traveling through London and need a hotel room near Heathrow Airport, you can always book one of the chain hotels right at the airport, or even the Sofitel Heathrow which is connected to Terminal 5. But you might also consider making it a special afternoon by staying at a nearby luxury hotel in the English countryside. Here are some great Heathrow countryside airport hotels (conveniently shown on this Google map).

Coworth Park is a member of Virtuoso, and we can get you the following amenities:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• Complimentary one-way private airport transfers

Pennyhill Park (pictured above) is the recipient of 5-Red Stars, one of Britain's best hotels. Set in beautiful grounds, they have a two-Michelin star restaurant, as well as a brasserie for casual dining. Pennyhill Park is home to Europe's second largest spa. Rooms are spacious, and the bathrooms are a real feature of the hotel.

Great Fosters, dating from the 16th century, glows in historic splendor and was one of Queen Elizabeth I's hunting lodges. You can spend hours wandering the Tudor Gardens, and there are two terrific dining options. Guests booking Premier Executive rooms or higher receive complimentary airport transfers.

Cliveden is one of Britain's most famous stately homes, and the enchanting drive up to Cliveden is worth the price of admission. A scandalous affair here 50 years ago led to the fall of a Government, and since the days of Lady Astor, this has been a place to see and be seen. My clients can receive a guaranteed upgrade at booking and afternoon tea through my UK hotel guru!

The Runnymede-on-Thames offers value and location. The hotel sits right on the Thames in historic Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. Guests can enjoy a boat trip or simply stroll along the Thames and enjoy a pub nearby. Rates start under 200£ a night.

My clients receive complimentary breakfast at all five of these Heathrow countryside airport hotels.

Heathrow countryside airport hotels (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

English pub dog | Hampshire County

The English countryside is overlooked as a destination by many upscale travelers, but there are many reasons to consider England, especially in the busy summer travel months. Here are my top five reasons to visit the English countryside:

1. Pleasant summer weather.
2. Uncrowded.
3. Easy to reach, a short non-stop flight from the U.S. east coast to London, with non-stop flights from hundreds of international destinations.
4. Lots to do. I saw Winchester and the famous Winchester Cathedral before (I spent the night in Hampshire before flying to Venice the next morning). There's also Stonehenge, Avebury, the Cotswolds, Bath, and dozens of other fascinating towns and villages.
5. Save money. Luxurious hotels are less expensive than city hotels. I spent the night at Four Seasons Hampshire, a traditional manor house that has been converted into a family-friendly resort — a great value when you consider the free daily breakfast for two and the $100 food and beverage credit you receive when you book through your Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant.

And where else will you find charming country inns like The Gamekeepers with Guinness on tap, gourmet pub grub, and a dog behind the bar? I had a great dinner there.


English countryside (search here on Google) 

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

barging on the River Thames

While I am not into cruises, I thoroughly enjoyed a barge trip I took several years ago in the south of France. So when I received news of this special offer on the Magna Carta for selected sailings this spring, I wanted to pass it along. This cruise is on my own wish list; it glides down the River Thames through some of the most beautiful English countryside you'll ever see.

A barge cruise is nothing like an ocean cruise. You're not on a big ship with hundreds or thousands of other passengers; you'll be one of eight exclusive guests. No extra charges for drinks or shore excursions; everything is included. You won't be having your meals in a large dining room in which hundreds of meals are being prepared simultaneously; every night is like a wonderful dinner party, thrown by the crew, with exquisite meals elegantly served.

Carrying just eight passengers and ideal for groups of friends or families, a Magna Carta barge cruise is an intimate and exclusive experience. The barge boasts two decks with four luxurious, spacious staterooms on the lower deck, each with beautiful hardwood floors, under-floor heating, independent air conditioning and en-suite facilities complete with oversized showers and basins, heated towel rail, independent under-floor heating and other fine guest amenities.

On the upper deck, guests will find the saloon with picture windows offering panoramic views of the charming English countryside. Here, passengers can relax on Italian leather sofas and enjoy a fully stocked bar, library complete with reference books, a selection of games and a comprehensive CD collection. Exquisite dishes are delivered from the professional galley and are enjoyed in the adjacent fine dining area. Leading from the saloon are split-level sun decks offering a sun umbrella and chairs. Sunk within the upper level is a large, bubbling Jacuzzi, providing passengers with an oasis for complete relaxation.

Save $2,000 per cabin on cruises departing March 21, March 28, April 3, April 18, April 27, and May 30, 2010. Guests can save $1,000 per cabin on dates outside those listed above. Contact me to book your cruise and to make your pre- and post-cruises arrangements.

Magna Carta barge cruise (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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