Where: Heckfield Place, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 0LD, England.
The Lowdown: Located in the glorious rolling hills of Hampshire within 438 acres of idyllic parkland and just an hour drive from London, the Grade II-listed Heckfield Place has all of the charm of a Jane Austen novel and the modern comforts of a chic countryside retreat. There is without a doubt a unique quality to this Georgian estate, a result perhaps of the painstaking nine-year restoration project by owner Gerald Chan. One of the most exciting country-house hotels to have opened in the UK in the past two decades, the house itself is an elegant palate of natural and earthy tones, imposing marble fireplaces, English oak floors covered with Persian rugs, vases of fresh cut flowers from the hotel’s exquisite garden and 20th century paintings from Chan’s private collection, all flooded with natural light from some very cinematic sash windows. Staff, dressed in quaint Victorian pinafore’s and waistcoats, are as charming as the house itself.
Stylish Eats: The hotel is committed to sustainability with a biodynamic kitchen garden, greenhouses, and orchards as well as an on-site farm. In short, what grows or lives on the estate, defines the cooking at the two restaurants Marle and Hearth, with menu options directed by celebrity chef Skye Gyngell. Moon Bar, an elegant lounge nestled in the center of the house, comes to life as the sun sets with nine signature cocktails all inspired by, and using, ingredients from the garden.
Suite Talk: Six signature suites, 38 rooms and a cottage spread among a sprawling north wing and courtyard, are all individually styled and vary in size from cozy to palatial. Intelligently and sympathetically curated, there’s real character to be found here. A continuation of those earthy color schemes – blush pink, sage green and slate grey – exquisite antique furniture, bespoke mini-bars, balconies or private gardens with fire pits, silk-smooth Italian bed linen and magnificent views of the estate (and the extraordinary lake, if you’re lucky), are all an exemplary part of the experience.
Insiders Tip: Sip a homemade lemon verbena cordial and immerse yourself in a good book from Heckfield’s extensive library while admiring those splendid parkland views. To stay indoors the entire time though would be to miss out on seeing those special views firsthand. Take a picnic and stroll the pathways surrounding the lake, stopping off at the historic stone gazebo. Take a tour of the farm, try wild swimming in the lake, horse riding, fly fishing – outdoor pursuits are in abundance here. For anyone hoping to sightsee, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral are only an hour away by car.
Vogue Verdict: A triumph in rural comfort and innovative hospitality, Heckfield certainly has the X factor. The location – a mere 45-minutes from Heathrow airport – is simply an extra perk on an already pretty perfect package.
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