STEEPED in history and swathed in luxury, a visit to Stoke Place in Buckinghamshire is like taking a step back through time.
Originally built in 1690 by royal chef Patrick Lamb as an exquisite manor house, Stoke Place retains a wealth of 17th century charm and splendour you would expect from the home of such nobility.
With nods to its history intertwined with modern touches of luxury, Stoke Place, in Stoke Poges, is as perfect a destination for a romantic night away as it is for a grand white wedding, as well as everything in between.
Checking in on a Friday evening, we were welcomed by the concierge who showed us to our room.
The Queen Anne’s Suite, named in honour of Patrick Lamb’s most discerning and famous customers, oozes royal splendour in every corner. From its high ceiling, wooden floors and huge triple bay windows, the room boasts opulence and extravagance, and would make a perfect bridal suite.
The grand king size bed looks out over the hotel’s manicured lawns, created by none other than Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, stretching down through mature trees to a beautiful, tranquil lake.
I can’t help but imagine the beautiful wedding photos that must be taken in such a setting, with the lake providing a picturesque backdrop, or simply somewhere to relax and clear your mind.
The en-suite bathroom, complete with a large walk-in rainfall shower cubicle, luxury, free-standing Edwardian bath, and his’n’hers sinks, completes the suite, which also features a large flat screen TV, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, and an on-demand movie service.
The furnishings in the room are exquisite, complementing the period perfectly. With a huge free-standing wardrobe you could easily get lost in, there is plenty of space available to unwind for a week.
Included in our stay was dinner in The King & Lamb restaurant, another nod to the property’s colourful history. Tucking into starters of Ham Hock Terrine (£8) and Garden Beetroot (£7), our tastebuds were instantly invigorated and ready for more.
A main course of 28-day dry aged traditional Hereford rib-eye beef (£21) awaited both of us, complete with hand-cut chip and roasted vine tomatoes.
The steaks were cooked to perfection: medium for myself, tender and juicy and full of flavour; rare for my fiance, who is always discerning with his steak.
The chips were the perfect blend of crispy on the outside, while fluffy in the middle, almost like a roast potato in chip form. The peppercorn sauce accompanied it all perfectly, with just the right amount of heat to add to the flavour of the steak without masking its natural taste.
With just enough room left for a dessert, we opted for a Chocolate Fondant (£7), served with cherry sorbet and cherry compote, and a Buttermilk Pannacotta (£7), with lavender shortbread, macerated berries and honeycomb ice cream.
The sharp bitter sorbet worked well with the warm, rich chocolate fondant, while the pannacotta was something to behold.
Our dinner ran smoothly and effortlessly thanks in no small part to our brilliant waitress, June, who offered interesting tidbits about the food and the restaurant as a whole, checking in throughout our meal but leaving us alone when we needed it.
Food devoured, we headed back to the room for a well-earned rest, knowing full-well there would be more delicious food awaiting us in the morning.
After a wonderful sleep on the huge Hypnos bed, we made our way back to the restaurant for breakfast.
The large room, bathed in sunlight from the majestic French windows which adorn the entire far wall, is like a time capsule, bedecked with old-fashioned globes and trinkets that offer an interesting distraction.
Alongside a help-yourself buffet of cereals, fruit, yoghurt and pastries, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast of French toast with bacon and maple syrup, and an egg and bacon sandwich, both cooked to perfection with every last mouthful enjoyed.
Our short stay at Stoke Place had come to an end, but I couldn’t help but feel like there is so much more to explore at this secluded manor house. With so much history crammed into every room, you could find yourself admiring your surroundings for hours.
Stoke Place is much more than just a room and a restaurant though: the hotel offers a fairytale setting for weddings, boasting sweeping staircases, antique chandeliers and all those little details that would make your big day that extra bit special. With packages including exclusive use of the entire hotel and grounds, what better way to start your married life?
Stays at Stoke Place, part of the Cairn Collection, start from £107.50 for bed and breakfast in a standard double room. Deluxe double rooms, gatehouse rooms and junior suites are also available from £125. For more information visit www.thecairncollection.co.uk/hotels/stoke-place.
For more on weddings at Stoke Place, visit www.weddingsatstoke.co.uk.
Stoke Place is holding a Wedding Open Evening on Thursday, November 24 between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Enjoy a glass of Champagne and have a chance to speak to the team about creating your perfect wedding at Stoke Place. For more information visit www.weddingsatstoke.co.uk/events. Our stay at Stoke Place was complimentary
