Fawsley Hall

Northamptonshire is one of England's loveliest counties, often ignored by tourists heading for the predictable charm of the Cotswolds or Stratford. Set in a magnificent stretch of unspoilt countryside is Fawsley Hall, more than 700 years old and once the home of the Knightleys who traced their ancestry back to Henry V111. Since 1998, it has become a country house hotel, but without the suffocating grandeur associated with the genre. It's luxurious but fun and there's bags of atmosphere with rich fabrics, four-poster beds, creaking staircases and huge Tudor fireplaces. The Great Hall has a soaring roof and comfy sofas, the Old Laundry is an informal bar and café and there's an intimate restaurant for grown-up dinners. This month sees the opening of Knightley Court, a subtle renovation of the Grade 1 listed Georgian coach house creating a self-contained property with eight bedrooms (including four junior suites), handsome reception rooms, its own luxury cinema and private bar. What could be nicer for a group of friends, a wedding, private party, or even, dare we say it, high-powered business meetings. Fawsley, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, 01327 892 000 www.fawsleyhall.com

 

The West Wing at Crom Castle

Crom Castle has been the home of the Earls of Erne for the last 350 years and stands in 1,500 acres of National Trust parkland dotted with lakes, ancient trees, historic monuments and a nature reserve. The West Wing with its grand proportions and six lovely bedrooms is available for private hire (sole occupancy) and couldn't be a more enchanting escape from big city life. It's ideal for small parties, family reunions and very special celebrations. The beautiful, lush countryside of County Fermanagh is utterly peaceful and full of quirky charm. You can play golf, tennis, go horse riding, try fly fishing on Lough Erne or fish for pike on the Green Lake, observe wildlife from camoflaged hides or just chill out walking for miles. Evening cocktails on the estate's own boat is the perfect way to finish a day in the fresh air. Crom is easy to reach by air and road and there is a helipad on the property, and private jets can land at nearby Enniskillen. Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, 02867 38004 www.cromcastle.com

Caption:
The West Wing at Crom Castle

 

Westover Hall

This imposing mansion with oak panelling, a minstrel's gallery, huge stained glass windows and gardens stretching down to the sea was built for a famous Victorian industrialist. Today it's a charming hotel with just 12 bedrooms and a unique atmosphere created by Stewart Mecham and his sister Nicola who filled it with family antiques and photographs, fashion memorabilia and modern paintings. They recently sold Westover to David and Christine Smith who are keeping all the interior decoration. Hooray. There is a paved outside terrace for hot days, a beach hut down by the shore, and in the garden, a wrecked boat sits dramatically atop the rockery surrounded by lobster pots. Good sensible food, romantic bedrooms and the continuing presence of Arthur, the adorable ginger cat who has made the place his own. Park Lane, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, 01590 643 044 www.westoverhallhotel.com

 

Le Champignon Sauvage

Here's one for food snobs who think that gastronomy stops with the Congestion Charge boundary. In the pretty town of Cheltenham, David and Helen Everitt-Matthias run one of only a handful of UK restaurants that merit two Michelin stars.They keep a very low profile and for 20 years, he (DEM) has cooked lunch and dinner every service since opening in 1987. If he's not there they don't open and the celebrity circuit of London chefs is completely alien to him. DEM would rather be sourcing wild food from hedgerows or local suppliers, than showing off on TV. A comfortable bar leads into the pleasantly formal dining room, decorated in shades of blue and lemon yellow. By expanding into the space next door, it now seats 40 instead of the original 28. His precise, intellectual French cooking draws gastro tourists from all over the country. Definitely worth a detour, as Michelin would say. 24-26 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 01242 573 449 www.lechampignonsauvage.co.uk

 

Hotel du Vin, Cheltenham

On July 2nd, the newest Hotel du Vin opened in Cheltenham and the smart new arrival looks set to take the town by storm. HdV has a successful formula of elegant boutique hotel, cheerful bistro, bar and excellent wine cellar and has transformed many sedate county towns around the UK. The company has an active expansion plan (Cambridge and York are on the agenda), but the new openings are always highly individual, transforming heritage buildings and introducing a friendly, modern style of service. There is never the gloomy sense of a "chain" and staying at an HdV confers an unmistakeable sense of cool. The Cheltenham property occupies a 300-year old building in a leafy residential area and has just 49 extremely chic and comfortable rooms. Downstairs is an airy bistro with a well-equipped area for Ecole du Vin wine courses and tastings. Beyond is a large garden and for unrepentant smokers, a "cigar shack", equipped with comfortable seats and a TV screen. The Irish whiskey bar with its risqué mural, comfortable leather seats and dangerous collection of fine whiskies is likely to be a firm favourite with stylish locals and the racing crowd. It has immediately been named the Sinners' Enclosure. Parabola Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 01242 588450 www.hotelduvin.com

 

British is best when it comes to luxury in a country setting: a brilliant combination of historic buildings, great food and romantic rooms made even better with the modern hi-tech you need to stay in touch. Bring it on.

Must try...

Fawsley Hall is set in 2,000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. There are extensive gardens including an Elizabethan knot garden, handsome trees and extensive lawns where swallows play endless aerial tag on warm summer evenings. Cross into the ancient deer park and walk through flocks of sheep and lambs toward the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, founded in 1209. It's the essence of medieval England with historic carved pews, alabaster and brass memorials to ancient families, stained glass windows and a ring of four bells dating back to the 1450s.

The perfect Irish pub, Blake's of the Hollow, has been serving excellent beer, Guinness and homely food since 1887. The walls are lined with sporting pictures, there are snug wooden settles, a marble topped bar and high leather-topped stools. Friendly and warm, it's a great place to while away a few hours with the "craic". 6 Church Street, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, 02866 322 143

Posh Champagne house Ruinart has come up with a brilliant idea for the outdoor gourmet. The Escapade Hamper holds one bottle of vintage Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, four engraved champagne flutes, and a natural linen tablecloth for superior picnics. The hamper is insulated and handsomely designed in chic beige fabric with brass and sunny yellow leather trim. Available from Harrods and Selfridges. www.ruinart.com