Sense & Sustainability: Escape to Heckfield Place
Heckfield Place is a Georgian manor house hotel located about an hour from London in the Hampshire countryside and provides a luxurious and farm-fresh experience that will make you feel as though you’ve dropped into a Jane Austen novel.
Photo courtesy of Heckfield Place
Live out your Jane Austen fantasies at Heckfield Place, a lovingly restored Georgian family home set in 400 acres of lush gardens, woodlands, and meadows in North Hampshire, only about an hour’s train from London. After you’ve experienced this gracious 45-bedroom country residence, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that Jane Austen herself lived in nearby Chawton. However rich a history this house might have, it’s also equally important to note that Heckfield Place has gently moved into modern times and brings all modern luxuries to the table along with a focus on sustainability.
The estate itself is blanketed in ancient heathers and features two lakes and walled gardens, perfect for a contemplative stroll. The entire ideology behind Heckfield Place is rooted in the estate’s rich soil, including the biodynamic Home Farm, the gardens, and the 500-tree orchard, all of which enrich the hotel’s cuisine at its two restaurants (more on that later!).
From Heckfield’s Home Farm (photo courtesy of Heckfield Place)
Inside, you’ll find English oak furnishings and handwoven rugs made of rushes from the River Ouse, yet more evidence of the estate’s deep-rooted focus on remaining true to the local land. While here, cozy up with a bottle of wine from the extensive cellar, watch a film in the hotel’s 67-seat screening room, or indulge at the Bothy Spa.
Nearby, go antiques shopping in Hartley Wintney village. Get active by rowing on the Whitewater River or engage in some quintessentially British country pastimes such as cycling, horseback riding, and clay pigeon shooting.
Accommodations at Heckfield Place
Despite Heckfield’s impressive grandeur, the rooms will make you quickly feel at home with their intimate and familiar feel. There are six distinctive room types throughout the main house and the corridors and within the grounds. No matter the room category, the individual character shines through thanks to the natural materials and exquisite craftsmanship on show.
Those looking for a little extra privacy—and perhaps those who have always dreamed of living in a characterful English cottage—will be particularly interested to know about the Church Lodge cottage. Set in the beautiful grounds, this two-bedroom hideaway nestled in the trees will really immerse you in the estate’s natural splendor.
Farm-Fresh Dining & Drinking
Since sustainability is a huge focus at Heckfield Place, it should come as no surprise that their two restaurants place a huge importance on farm-fresh fare. Culinary Director Skye Gyngell and team focus on food and drink that celebrates simplicity, the seasons, and a sense of place.
Marle Restaurant is based on the belief that the very best tasting food is grown locally via biodynamic practices. Using a pared-back style of cooking, the menu at Marle strives to provide diners with a first-hand experience of the excitement and immediacy that comes from food served straight from the earth.
Hearth Restaurant still focuses on sustainable practices, but as its name suggests, it is centered around an open fire. The fare here is simple and heartfelt, celebrating the land and its bounty with a menu featuring the best produce available on the day and traditional cooking techniques.
Hearth Restaurant (photo courtesy of Heckfield Place)
Both restaurants feature produce grown on the estate in the biodynamic garden. The herbs and spices you’ll savor on the plate are also used in healing spa treatments at the Bothy Spa. Even the delicious honey is produced right on the estate.
Along with the restaurants, you also have options for a lovely drink. The Moon Bar comes to life when the sun sets. Here, sip drinks and infusions made with the freshest of ingredients, breathing new life and flavor into classic cocktails and encouraging creative new concoctions. As if that weren’t enough, The Cellar, located beneath the house, features a 1,200-bin collection of wines from established and emerging wine producers. A tasting can be arranged with the hotel’s resident sommelier.
Poe Perks
Best of all, Heckfield Place is part of our exclusive and trusted Virtuoso network of hotels, which means that Poe Travel guests will receive some extra amenities to sweeten the pot.
Here are our Poe Perks at Heckfield Place:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (excludes Signature Suites and the Church Lodge cottage)
Complimentary a-la-carte breakfast at Marle Restaurant for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent food & beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Heckfield Place will make you feel as though you’re enjoying the opulence of the 18th century while simultaneously giving you the peace of mind that comes with traveling to a place where sustainability matters. It’s the perfect spot for an English escape in 2022, but it’s also important to keep in mind that they have a fabulous festive program in place for Christmas and New Year’s should you want to make a more immediate getaway. Of course, the Poe Travel team is on-hand to create an itinerary tailored to your interests for your stay at Heckfield and the rest of your time in the UK and beyond.
If you would like to Go Away to Heckfield Place (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us. We will check dates and rates, and our team will plan a totally customized itinerary for your journey to the UK.