Travel: Coworth Park near Ascot

A bevy of horses out for a ride is the first thing we spot as we swing into the majestic drive of Coworth Park, the leafy Berkshire country outpost of the glittering Dorchester collection. ‘I don’t think I’m really a horsey person’, I admit to the husband. ‘Forget that’ he says ‘and look ahead, I think you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied otherwise!’

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I look up and immediately understand what he means, graceful green meadows on either side of us are giving way to a manor house and before we know it, we’re checked in with a minimal amount of fuss and set about exploring our suite located in the main house.

It’s a combination of classic old-school elegance meeting the modern day mod-cons, with all the thoughtful little touches you might expect from a luxurious Dorchester property. There’s a flat screen TV which appears as per magic from the foot of the majestic 4 poster super kingsize bed, a Nespresso machine for that much needed jolt of caffeine in the mornings and a squishy comfy couch, all the better to curl up on and sip on our chilled bottle of fizz.

The freestanding copper bath tub immediately has me feeling imaginary aches and pains that can probably only be soothed by a soak in the tub, but it’s far too nice a day to spend indoors, even in that tub and I’m itching to set out and explore.

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Lunch is pretty high up on the agenda though and we’ll need some energy to explore the vast 240 acre estate so we head downstairs and settle in with some cocktails before we tuck into lunch. There’s a formal dining room and a drawing room where they serve afternoon tea but it’s so beautiful out, we decide to sit out on the terrace, looking out on the greenery below.

Buoyed up by our lunch & cocktails in the sun, we go for a walk and we’re bowled over, the view is green, all green and it seems to instantly energise and refresh us. There are tennis courts if you’re feeling really energetic, but we’re pretty happy just walking and exploring.
We wander past an additional suite of more casual accommodation, fashioned out of the old stables that used to stand on the property, looking like a tiny little chocolate box pretty village in its own right, complete with a little red phonebox which is just too cute for words.
Since we have the baby in tow, I think this would make for a wonderfully relaxing venue to staycation, baby could make just as much noise as he pleased away from the main hotel and with plenty of green space just outside to toddle about, he’d have a whale of a time.

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We don’t wander for too long though as I’ve got a date at the spa, so I drop the husband and baby off at the main hotel for a little afternoon siesta and set off with a skip in my step, all set for my Carol Joy Luxury Collagen Facial. The spa is beautiful, a low modern building, quietly serene and dotted with signature Dorchester luxurious touches. My treatment is sublime, I actually nod off and have one of the most refreshing little naps I’ve ever had and I go for a dip in the gorgeous pool just to wake myself up a little bit. The pool is lovely and warm and has music playing underwater which has the immediate effect of making everyone who takes a dip start to smile. After a bit of poolside lounging, I head back to the room with glowing soft skin, already feeling the benefit of that heavenly facial.

Dinner that night is at the Barn, Coworth Park’s casual outdoor dining restaurant, classic British comfort food with a very relaxed vibe and so we feel very comfortable taking the baby out to dinner. We opt to share a Signature sharing platter of garlicky prawns, gooey mozzarella and creamy pate and follow that up with a juicy steak and chips for the husband while I had my eye on a huge bowl of creamy chicken Caesar salad. Dessert is a must of course and I admit, after choosing the yoghurt option for myself, I ended up eating most of the husband’s chocolate brownie!

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After an extremely good night’s sleep in that enormously comfy bed, it’s downstairs for breakfast and this time we’re shown to the beautiful dining room with an exceptional copper leaf sculpture.

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Breakfast is just as decadent as you might expect, we make our choices while nibbling on buttery pastries and sweet berries and go for the whole hog with perfectly cooked eggs to finish.

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It’s a real wrench to tear ourselves away from the splendour of Coworth Park and head back to normal life, as it’s a beautiful spot to recharge the batteries. Not only are the hotel and grounds immaculately gorgeous, but the hospitality and friendliness of everyone who works there takes it to a whole new level.

For more info visit www.dorchestercollection”>
Coworth Park Hotel Ascot
Blacknest Road Ascot Berkshire,
SL5 7SE UK

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Manasi Kumar

Manasi is a Restaurant & Travel blogger living in London, when not thinking about foodie hot spots, she's writing about them at inher30s.com or you can follow her on Twitter HERE