Horwood House Hotel – Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire

Horwood House Hotel – the birthplace of famed gardener and television presenter Percy Thrower – recently became independent and underwent a £6 million refurbishment. The Grade II-listed manor house in the village of Little Horwood sits in 38 acres of grounds (the house was commissioned by a local businessman who loved gardens and at one point employed 16 gardeners to look after them). In fact, everything from the decoration of the modern bedrooms to the new restaurant, Harry’s Bar & Kitchen, is inspired by the gardens in some way. The latter is named after head gardener, Percy Thrower’s father, Harry, and excels in informal dining – from cocktails on the terrace to feasting with friends around a large country kitchenstyle table. A large portion of the menu centres around the grill; all meat is sourced locally from The Buckingham Butchers and steaks are aged in a bespoke Himalayan salt chamber. Hotel guests automatically have access to the pool and gym, part of the new H Spa, which also has a steam room, sauna and treatment rooms. There are also 15 flexible meeting and banqueting spaces.

Doubles from £109

+44(0)1296 722100; horwoodhouse.co.uk

Doubles from £125

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