Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant & Spa

It once was home to the exiled king of France Louis XVIII for many years in the early 19th century, but this stately home, with its magnificent public rooms and landscaped grounds, is now open to all. A dramatic Gothic hall and staircase with carved Jacobean figures set the scene, followed by a series of elegant day-rooms decorated with oak panelling, fine paintings and antiques. The restaurant is a graceful, high-ceilinged affair and makes an understated backdrop for the talented kitchen's elaborate creations; expect thoughtful and imaginative cuisine with a classical foundation, distinguished by technical genius and quality ingredients. Ballotine of foie gras is a typical starter, served with prune and Armagnac chutney and smoked goose salad, while mains might include venison loin with a gingerbread crust, port wine shallots, almond potatoes and a bitter chocolate praline sauce, or pan-fried sea bass on parsley mash with red and white wine mustard sauces. Take a stroll around the garden if there's time - as well as serpentine walks, a picturesque lake and 18th-century statues, they contain a luxurious spa with a buttery for light meals and snacks.

2m SW of Aylesbury on A418 (Oxford road)
Nearest station: Aylesbury

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