Cliveden House Hotel is one of my favourite hotels in the south of England. It’s the perfect place to relax, indulge your inner gourmet and pamper yourself and your loved ones.
Nestled in the Buckinghamshire countryside for over 450 years, Cliveden House Hotel (pronounced with a short i sound, as in ‘Clivden’) has seen its share of splendour and scandal. If you have ever wanted to live ‘like the other half’ or step back in time, this is definitely the hotel for you.
We first stayed at Cliveden House Hotel in 2014 and it has been one of our favourite hotels ever since. We have visited as a couple, with friends and also with our son and his partner. It’s a wonderful location for a short break.
The History of Cliveden House Hotel
Cliveden House was originally built as a romantic bolt hole, a present to his mistress, by the Duke of Buckingham in 1666. Its colourful history continued throughout the centuries. It was frequently visited by kings and queens, including Queen Victoria. More recently, Cliveden became infamous for The Profumo Affair in the 1960’s, a scandal which led to the resignation of a British Prime Minister. If you would like to know more about the history of Cliveden, I recommend reading The Mistresses of Cliveden by Natalie Livingstone.
The property still sees its share of famous visitors. On one occasion, we dined in the restaurant next to a former British Prime Minister. It’s also a popular location for society weddings.
Arriving at Cliveden House Hotel
If you are coming to stay or eat at Cliveden, you arrive via a long private drive, past a beautiful fountain reminiscent of those at Versailles.
The entrance is suitably impressive and we have always had a warm welcome.
As you step through the door into the elegant lounge area, one of the first things you notice is the portrait of Nancy by John Singer Sargent. Lady Nancy Astor, who lived at Cliveden during the twentieth century, was the first woman to take up a seat in the House of Commons.
with the portrait of Nancy Astor on the left
There are 47 rooms and suites at Cliveden, including the exceptionally luxurious Lady Astor Suite and the Prince of Wales Suite. I have been lucky enough to stay in both. I have a soft spot for the beautiful Lady Astor Suite, but the Prince of Wales Suite is my favourite. It’s almost like having a little apartment of your own, and the views over the parterre and over towards Windsor are breathtaking.
in the Prince of Wales Suite
I can also recommend the luxurious Garibaldi Suite, which is reached via a long, statue-lined corridor.
Visiting Cliveden House Hotel
Cliveden House Hotel is located near Taplow in Buckinghamshire, not far from Windsor. If you are able to, there is nothing like experiencing Cliveden as a hotel guest. Spring Cottage, a separate riverside property on the estate, is also available for larger parties wishing to stay at Cliveden. Cliveden House Hotel also offers boat rides in beautiful antique boats, art experiences and even falconry. The spa is well worth a visit. Both the indoor and outdoor pool are lovely, and we have always enjoyed the treatments on offer. All activities are subject to availability.
However, there are many other ways to enjoy this beautiful property without being a hotel guest.
The estate is open as part of the National Trust, and visitor tours of the hotel and chapel are available. The gardens are outstanding and you can walk for miles exploring them. There are also some lovely woodland and riverside walks.
The Dining Room at Cliveden House Hotel is open to non-residents. Breakfast is always excellent and their dinners are exceptional. We have had many celebration dinners, there both as residents and non-residents, most recently my latest birthday celebration. You can also take afternoon tea. Ask for a table by the window; the view over the garden and off into the distance is breathtaking, even in stormy weather.
I prefer the Dining Room but The Astor Grill in the old stables is also open to non-residents. (Please note the Astor Grill is being refurbished and will re-open on 6th February 2023.)
However you choose to enjoy Cliveden, do be sure to visit this exceptional property if you are in the area. It’s an experience I look forward to repeating very soon!
Disclosure: My husband and I have always stayed and dined at Cliveden House Hotel at our own expense.
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Comments & Reviews
What a wonderful place – it really feels like you were able to ‘live’ there rather than ‘visit’ during your stay. I’d love to do the Cinderella thing too!
It really is, Catherine! I hope that you are able to visit one day – I am sure you would love it!
I think I could sit in that library for hours and read. Such a beautiful room! So picturesque. This looks like an amazing place to stay. Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week’s issue.
Thank you so much for the feature, Mel! It really was wonderful 🙂
Wow, this looks sumptuous. I hope you brought some Bronte to get in the mood. Thanks for posting. Hello from Inspire Me Wednesday.
Thank you so much for visiting, Melissa! It really was lovely – and some Bronte would be an amazing read in this historic location 🙂
What a ‘country’ house! I live in the country and my house certainly doesn’t look at all like this one! I love the library. This place would be so fun to stay at.
It really was wonderful, Nina 🙂 I could have stayed in the library for hours!
What an fantastic place to stay! I can totally imagine your experience walking through the hall and feeling like Cinderella. 🙂 Btw, you’ve educated me … I had no idea what bolt hole meant; now I do!
Shirley
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Shirley 🙂 It’s funny the little expressions (like bolt hole) we have over here in England – I must write a post about some of them!
What an incredible property. I would love to stay there and pretend it was my home. 🙂 Sounds like you had a wonderful time and I’m sure you did feel like Cinderella. I believe every woman should feel that way at least once in her life.
It really was wonderful, Tonya! Thank you for visiting 🙂
Oh wow, that hotel looks absolutely gorgeous!
It really is amazing, Ashley 🙂
Such a nice hotel!! I really love the beds headboard!
It really is, Jacqui – and me too 🙂
What a nice tour you gave us! We love stately homes and manors!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Mitch 🙂
That room look very cozy and luxurious. I can see myself staying there 🙂
It really is wonderful, Dee 🙂
What A Beautiful Place To Stay Looks So Relaxing & Comfy. Would Love To Visit & Stay There One Day Soon!!
It really is wonderful, Lisa. I do hope you are able to visit!
I love it! The library is absolutely gorgeous! I would love to have a library like that someday!
I think the library was one of my favourite rooms, Leah 🙂 It really is a wonderful place!
OH! Would love to visit but would be afraid I would never want to leave!
April- if you are a reader you might like Minding the Manor: The Memoir of a 1930s English Kitchen Maid.
Thanks so much for my mini vacation!
Linda
Cliveden really is hard to leave, Linda! I am a reader and Minding the Manor sounds like a book I would love. Thank you for recommending it and for your lovely comment 🙂
What a beautiful house! That library looks fabulous.
It really is gorgeous, Debbie. Definitely the library of my dreams 🙂
I had no idea Cliveden was being operated as a hotel! It’s definitely going on my to-do list for my next, if ever, trip to England. If I could be served tea in the library, they’d have to pry me out of it!
It really is amazing, Jean. I absolutely love visiting there. Definitely worth adding to your list 🙂
What a lovely look inside the Cliveden House. amazing architecture on the outside, if only the walls could talk would they tell some amazing stories!! The wedding was amazing, Meghan was a beautiful bride living in a girls dream!!! Thank you for sharing on Friday Features this week! Wishing you a lovely week!
Thank you so much, Karren! I really enjoyed the wedding too. It was magical! Wishing you a lovely week as well!
April this post brought me such delight! I loved seeing your images and the hotel through your eyes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Laura! Thank you so much 🙂
Oh wow! What a beautiful property.
It really is, Joanne. My husband has just booked a table for in the dining room there for his birthday/our anniversary in March and I can’t wait!