Finest for: Farm to desk eating.
Why we like it: A go to to Hampshire’s Heckfield Place, put most easily, was one of the crucial indulgent, soul-soothing treats of my 12 months. I set off on a prepare from London Waterloo in direction of Winchfield, and upon arrival, was greeted by a pleasant native taxi driver who had been organized to gather me by the loving Heckfield staff. The drive to the Heckfield Property was speedy – simply quarter-hour – and regardless of a bout of torrential rain, my arrival felt heat and welcoming.
Heckfield Place is the previous dwelling of Charles Shaw-Lefevre, a Nineteenth-century VIP, nevertheless it was purchased by Boston-based billionaire Gerald Chan again in 2002. Gerald dreamed of making a resort, although it took years of labor to get his imaginative and prescient over the road. A devoted staff, together with designer Ben Thompson, GM Olivia Richili – beforehand of Aman Lodges – and Skye Gyngell – beforehand of Petersham Nurseries – have executed a stellar job at bringing it to life.
Although cosy and basic, the attractive interiors really feel up to date and forward-thinking. Anticipate marble staircases, ornate floral shows, artwork from the personal assortment of the proprietor and a comforting earthy palette. The identical, great design continues throughout the bedrooms – of which there are 45 throughout 5 classes. Loos are marble with Wildsmith Pores and skin toiletries, bedside tables are adorned with ceramic lamps and terracotta pots, and deep-seated window-side armchairs are the right spot for a contact of studying.
My favorite a part of my go to was a lunch at Fireplace: a restaurant centred round an epic open hearth, the place the menu is concentrated on the easiest produce obtainable on that day. We loved burrata with grilled aubergines and residential farm tomatoes, charred squid with chilli oil and Pak Choi, duck kofta with cherry sauce and shredded summer season cabbage, and barbecued sirloin of beef with Chimichuri. Elsewhere, the darkish and sensual Moon bar is an ideal area for a nightcap, and breakfast is as contemporary and imaginative as the whole lot else you will eat all through your keep. Wholesome-yet-filling, with a facet of the lightest-butter-you’ll-ever-eat. Whipped on-site, no much less.
Even when the rain, there’s loads to discover throughout the far-reaching grounds. Head on down from the home to the woods, and stumble throughout these lakes the place you’ll be able to wild swim, row in a rowing boat or take pleasure in a lake-side picnic. You possibly can participate in creator talks, artwork courses, treasure hunts and foraging class – and stroll by way of the farm and greenhouses to find the place the components of your prior lunch have come from. Oh, and the long-awaited arrival of The Bothy spa, which opened in 2023, actually nails the lodges’ luxurious providing.
