Ever wanted to live ‘like the other half’ or step back in time to a gentler age? A stay at Cliveden House means that you really can.
Cliveden House has been nestled in Buckinghamshire for over 450 years now and has seen its share of splendour and scandal. Now Meghan Markle is making it famous once again, as she will be staying there the night before her wedding to HRH Prince Harry. She will be joined by her mother, Doria Ragland.
Built as a romantic bolt hole and pleasure palace by the Duke of Buckingham, Cliveden House has been home to Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Duchesses and even a Prince of Wales. In 1893 it was purchased by William Waldorf Astor and the house remained in the Astor family until 1942. Now it is stepping into the limelight once again as an important part of The Royal Wedding preparations.
The estate is open as part of the National Trust but one of the best ways to experience this wonderful property is to stay at Cliveden House. We first stayed at Cliveden about four years ago.
The lounge at Cliveden
The National Trust offers guided tours through Cliveden House but to protect the privacy of guests, photographs are not allowed. As a guest of the hotel, not only can you take photographs but you are free to wander pretty much wherever you like. I was even invited by a member of staff to “Make yourself comfortable and enjoy a book in the library”. I didn’t have to be asked twice!
The library at Cliveden House Hotel
We stayed at Cliveden with friends, attending one of their entertainment evenings and black tie dinners. Before getting ready for the event we relaxed in Lady Astor’s study which has fabulous views over the grounds. Hotel guests can hide away here, almost undisturbed, with a book or newspaper and a cup of tea.
Lady Astor’s Study
We really could not have felt more welcome.
The rooms and suites are beautifully laid out and very luxurious. Each room is named after a prominent guest or figure from Cliveden’s past. My husband and I stayed in the Garbaldi suite.
The Garibaldi Suite
I loved how cosy and welcoming it was. The bathrooms was well appointed and very beautiful, complete with chandelier. The suite featured everything you could want from internet access to a full length mirror. There were plenty of places to sit and relax and the bed was very comfortable too!
If you are visiting with your family and money is no object, you can rent out Spring Cottage, a separate property on the estate. Spring Cottage figured prominently in the Profumo Affair, perhaps the most scandalous of all the events at Cliveden. You can also visit the well appointed spa and enjoy a dip in the very famous swimming pool, where it all began.
Our Visit to Cliveden House
My husband, our friends and I attended one of the special events held throughout the year, a show featuring British actor Robert Powell in the lounge before a black tie dinner in the dining room. It was a fantastic evening. Later, after enjoying a nightcap, we made our way back to our rooms. There is something magical about walking along a corridor full of priceless artwork and sculpture in an evening dress on the way back to your suite. I felt like Cinderella.
The following morning after a very comfortable night’s sleep, we enjoyed breakfast in the dining room overlooking the grounds. It was a cloudy day but the view was still stunning.
Later we enjoyed a refreshing walk in the grounds.
You could explore the estate for hours, there is so much to see. It had been a wonderful couple of days. My husband and I made our short journey home in the late afternoon, promising ourselves a return visit to the wonderful Cliveden House very soon.
Disclosure: My husband and I stayed at Cliveden House at our own expense.
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Catherine @ Growing Family says
June 9, 2015 at 8:27 amWhat 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!
April Harris says
June 9, 2015 at 11:43 amIt really is, Catherine! I hope that you are able to visit one day – I am sure you would love it!
Mel @ Adventures of Mel says
June 10, 2015 at 4:37 amI 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.
April Harris says
June 10, 2015 at 8:48 pmThank you so much for the feature, Mel! It really was wonderful 🙂
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
June 12, 2015 at 3:27 amWow, this looks sumptuous. I hope you brought some Bronte to get in the mood. Thanks for posting. Hello from Inspire Me Wednesday.
April Harris says
June 15, 2015 at 9:52 amThank you so much for visiting, Melissa! It really was lovely – and some Bronte would be an amazing read in this historic location 🙂
Nina Lewis says
June 23, 2015 at 2:44 pmWhat 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.
April Harris says
June 23, 2015 at 3:28 pmIt really was wonderful, Nina 🙂 I could have stayed in the library for hours!
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
August 3, 2015 at 12:11 amWhat 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
April Harris says
August 3, 2015 at 5:02 pmI’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!
Tonya says
August 9, 2015 at 2:42 pmWhat 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.
April Harris says
August 10, 2015 at 3:19 pmIt really was wonderful, Tonya! Thank you for visiting 🙂
Ashley S says
August 17, 2016 at 2:04 pmOh wow, that hotel looks absolutely gorgeous!
April Harris says
August 17, 2016 at 2:50 pmIt really is amazing, Ashley 🙂
Jacqui Odell says
August 17, 2016 at 6:59 pmSuch a nice hotel!! I really love the beds headboard!
April Harris says
August 17, 2016 at 7:07 pmIt really is, Jacqui – and me too 🙂
Mitch says
August 18, 2016 at 12:23 amWhat a nice tour you gave us! We love stately homes and manors!
April Harris says
August 18, 2016 at 7:34 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it, Mitch 🙂
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
August 18, 2016 at 2:05 amThat room look very cozy and luxurious. I can see myself staying there 🙂
April Harris says
August 18, 2016 at 7:35 pmIt really is wonderful, Dee 🙂
Lisa Jones says
August 18, 2016 at 2:42 amWhat A Beautiful Place To Stay Looks So Relaxing & Comfy. Would Love To Visit & Stay There One Day Soon!!
April Harris says
August 18, 2016 at 7:36 pmIt really is wonderful, Lisa. I do hope you are able to visit!
Leah says
August 19, 2016 at 5:48 pmI love it! The library is absolutely gorgeous! I would love to have a library like that someday!
April Harris says
August 20, 2016 at 7:54 amI think the library was one of my favourite rooms, Leah 🙂 It really is a wonderful place!
Linda says
August 22, 2016 at 9:04 pmOH! 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
April Harris says
August 23, 2016 at 10:47 amCliveden 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 🙂
Debbie says
August 24, 2016 at 8:18 pmWhat a beautiful house! That library looks fabulous.
April Harris says
August 25, 2016 at 1:46 pmIt really is gorgeous, Debbie. Definitely the library of my dreams 🙂
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
May 17, 2018 at 1:42 pmI 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!
April Harris says
May 17, 2018 at 5:06 pmIt really is amazing, Jean. I absolutely love visiting there. Definitely worth adding to your list 🙂
Karren Haller says
May 20, 2018 at 1:15 amWhat 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!
April Harris says
May 21, 2018 at 6:06 pmThank you so much, Karren! I really enjoyed the wedding too. It was magical! Wishing you a lovely week as well!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
May 23, 2018 at 2:38 pmApril this post brought me such delight! I loved seeing your images and the hotel through your eyes.
April Harris says
May 23, 2018 at 6:19 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it, Laura! Thank you so much 🙂