UK: Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire, England

Three and a Half Centuries of English Grandeur

Perched above the River Thames on 376 acres of National Trust parkland, Cliveden House has been a stage for English history since 1666, when it was built for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Designed in its current form by Charles Barry, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament, the house has hosted nearly every British monarch since George I and later became the glittering seat of the Astor family, whose parties, politics, and scandal (the Profumo Affair chief among them) still color the property's mystique. Today it operates as a Relais & Chateaux hotel, its 48 rooms and suites each named for a notable guest from the house's past, dressed in antiques, four poster beds, and period art that make staying here feel less like a hotel booking and more like an invitation to a country weekend.

Beyond the house, the grounds do a lot of the talking: clipped parterres, a yew maze, woodland walking trails, and formal gardens that roll down toward the Thames, where guests can join a vintage boat cruise for afternoon tea or champagne on the water. The Cliveden Spa adds indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms, and a full treatment menu, while tennis and squash courts round out an active stay. Dinner options range from the refined Cliveden Dining Room, known for modern British cooking built on classic technique, to The Astor Grill, a livelier, equestrian themed spot set in the former stable yard. It's a property that rewards slowing down, whether that means a long lunch, a spa afternoon, or simply a walk through gardens that have absorbed 350 years of English history.

Life at Cliveden House

• 48 individually named rooms and suites, plus the three bedroom Spring Cottage

• Cliveden Dining Room for refined modern British cuisine, and The Astor Grill for casual dining in the former stables

• Cliveden Spa with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam rooms, and a full treatment menu

• 376 acres of National Trust gardens and woodland, including a parterre and maze

• Vintage boat trips on the Thames, from afternoon tea cruises to champagne evenings

• Tennis and squash courts on site

• Named guestrooms honoring historic residents, from Lady Astor to the Prince of Wales

Why Cliveden House, Why Buckinghamshire

• One of England's great stately homes, with a documented history stretching back over 350 years

• A genuinely private, estate like setting only about 40 minutes from central London

• National Trust gardens and riverside grounds that few hotels anywhere can match

• A dual dining offering that suits both a special occasion dinner and a relaxed lunch

• Easy pairing with a London itinerary, ideal for a countryside add on rather than a standalone destination

Ideal For: Couples and small groups seeking a storied English countryside escape close to London, history lovers, and travelers who want spa time, riverside leisure, and a formal dinner all on one property.

Gold Coast Travel Perks

Unlock Fora amenities when you book with Gold Coast Travel:

• Complimentary daily breakfast

• £85 resort credit (Double Resort Credit for 3 – 6 night stays)

• ½ champagne in room on arrival

• Early check-in / late check-out, subject to availability

• Upgrade at check-in, subject to availability

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