A couple of weeks ago on a warm, sunny blue sky October Sunday, we headed for the Surrey Hills for twenty-four luxurious hours in the English Countryside.  How every Sunday should be….. if I had my own way.

Quintessentially English,  Beaverbrook Country House is nestled in the hills, surrounded by stunning gardens that go and on and views to match out into the Autumn kissed countryside.  The terrace is quite the place to take morning coffee and the Sunday papers, which is what we did within minutes of arrival.   As I wandered around the grounds and water fountains  and pools, soaking up my surroundings, with the sunlight flickering through the trees, I almost felt a little Cecilia from Atonement moment, with the colours, the light and the history and feel of a another time …….. I was just lacking the satin green dress.

Beaverbrook is a beautiful and somewhat privileged estate.  Lord Beaverbrook’s residence was the core of stories from high society, politics, literacy greats and the glamourous characters from a past time, Rudyard Kipling, Elizabeth Taylor and his most famous Winston Churchill, just to put you in the picture of the importance of guest.

Today this historical estate has been transformed into a luxurious and relaxing country retreat,  where you can even lay your head in the bedroom of Churchill.   As a minister to Churchill, Beaverbrook held secret private war meetings, the escape route for Churchill if required is still there.    In honour of  Beaverbrook’s role as Churchill’s minister for aircraft production in WW2,  staff wear a small spitfire badge, this period is dotted around the late Victorian home in photographs books and prints throughout the house.

We were lucky enough to stay in the opulent room of Lady Diana Cooper in the oh so charming main house.  All rooms designed by Susie Atkinson, the creative mastermind behind Soho House.  Beautiful prints and patterns, an eclectic mix of British style of pinks and creams, highlighting the original features of the room with the added modern touches.  The huge four poster bed with the perfect dusty pink headboard, stood proudly in the centre,  and to add to the exuberance of the bedroom,  a beautiful white Victorian bath was beautifully stood in the corner.  Perfectly positioned to enjoy the light and colour of the countryside from the indulgence and comfort of a hot bath. Marble bathrooms stocked with Bamford products. Yes I was in heaven, all the ingredients for a peaceful night away.

We took a country walk to the local pub The Running Horses in Mickleham,  before settling in for an early evening glass of champagne in the Parrot Bar, happily indulging in my best dream life.  Surrounded with a pallet of teals, dusky peach, pinks and golds, bird printed cushions, huge, grand art work and with a beautiful golden bar as the centre piece, a bar has never been so glamorous, fitting and classic.  This is where one has a true vision of Cocktail hour, with just a cigar missing! Oh to have witnessed a glimpse of the the many distinguished figures to have drifted in and out of this room.

The main house offers a Japanese Grill in the beautifully, opulent dining room, but for us a Sunday roast was calling at the Garden House, which is tucked away a 5 minute walk down the lane.  The Garden House which also has a selection of rooms to stay in, just as immaculately and beautifully designed, offers a delicious menu of locally sourced food, a very British affair, light, airy, homely and calming dining room, with lots of little nooks to while away the meal. With beautiful gardens and green house to beat all.  The Roast Dinner was mouthwatering and we finished off the meal with their famous Classic Apple Tart Tatin,   honestly there were no words .  It was then back to the room for a long soak in the beautiful Victorian tub,  to then fall into a deep sleep in the four poster bed with ‘that’ pink headboard.

Truly spectacular grounds, beautiful interiors, steeped in rich history, incredible food and quite possibly the most decadent room I have ever slept in,  what all October Sundays should be filled with!  With the glamour and echo of the 1930’s and the added intrigue of past happenings between these walls,  for an imaginative mind like mind, I was in my element, Celila was present once again….. If a stay here is an Atonement then perhaps I will most definitely do wrong a little more often.

I was given a press rate in return for this post, all opinions are my own.  Many thanks Beaverbrook for a truly wonderful stay.

Dress | Zara

Pink Jumper | & Other Stories (similar here )

Jeans | Zara

Thank you for reading x