Review: Great Fosters
What do you look for in a weekend away?
A chance to escape the daily grind? Lose yourself in discovering a new place, perhaps? What about, well, time travel?
It sounds ridiculous, but a visit to Great Fosters in Surrey might have you thinking otherwise. This extraordinary property dates back to 1550, when it was built as a Royal hunting lodge. It is now a four star hotel, but has retained much of its Tudor homestead charm.
As well The Cloisters (a short amble across the courtyard) and The Coach House, both of which offer more contemporary accommodation on the estate, guests can opt to stay in The Main House itself. And it is here where history reigns supreme.
Each room is different, but each is brimming with authentic features and artefacts. The Panel II room is particularly special, boasting a magnificent four poster bed, deep red draperies, elegant wooden panelling and – to top it off – a wooden, throne-like loo in the en suite. History in abundance does not mean the mod cons are done away with, however. A flat screen television hides in the cupboard, luxuriant robes hang in the wardrobes and bottles of Molton Brown’s latest products sit waiting in the bathroom.
It is a unique room certainly, but not the only one to be enjoyed. Another historic room, The Tapestry, stretches the entire length of the house, while the rooms in the recently refurbished Coach House come equipped with their own Wifi and iPod docking stations.
All of these comforts, couple with the ambient lighting throughout (partly due to the mullioned windows, partly due to clever choice of lamps) makes it feel cosy and romantic. It is no surprise that Great Fosters is a much sought-after wedding venue.
If you are able to tear yourself away from your room, it is worth wandering round the grounds. The 50-acre estate includes its own lake, kitchen gardens and even some rare breed pigs. On warmer days, there is an outside pool to be enjoyed too.
No break is complete without delicious food. The hotel’s main restaurant, simply titled The Tudor Room, is designed so that diners revel in the enjoyment of food. An à la carte menu is offered during the week, but the only decision to be made at the weekend is between the six or eight course taster menu. Each course is presented with much fanfare and style, and the meal is drawn out to be a real event. Some courses hit the spot more than others, but the truffled Tunworth cheese and pan fried crumpet is certainly one to relish.
After dinner, it’s just a short stroll over the wooden floorboards to the cocktail bar. Here a good selection of both classic and inventive tipples can be enjoyed at leisure, and even sipped on the patio if it is a warm evening.
The relaxed vibe continues at breakfast, where there is a continental buffet or the option of a good old full English. Such is the popularity of the place that it can get very busy as the morning progresses, so it’s best to head down earlier (if you can bear to leave your four poster bed).
The last thing to do before leaving is sit by the roaring fire in the entrance hall. And then plan when you’ll return.
www.greatfosters.co.uk
A chance to escape the daily grind? Lose yourself in discovering a new place, perhaps? What about, well, time travel?
It sounds ridiculous, but a visit to Great Fosters in Surrey might have you thinking otherwise. This extraordinary property dates back to 1550, when it was built as a Royal hunting lodge. It is now a four star hotel, but has retained much of its Tudor homestead charm.
As well The Cloisters (a short amble across the courtyard) and The Coach House, both of which offer more contemporary accommodation on the estate, guests can opt to stay in The Main House itself. And it is here where history reigns supreme.
Each room is different, but each is brimming with authentic features and artefacts. The Panel II room is particularly special, boasting a magnificent four poster bed, deep red draperies, elegant wooden panelling and – to top it off – a wooden, throne-like loo in the en suite. History in abundance does not mean the mod cons are done away with, however. A flat screen television hides in the cupboard, luxuriant robes hang in the wardrobes and bottles of Molton Brown’s latest products sit waiting in the bathroom.
It is a unique room certainly, but not the only one to be enjoyed. Another historic room, The Tapestry, stretches the entire length of the house, while the rooms in the recently refurbished Coach House come equipped with their own Wifi and iPod docking stations.
All of these comforts, couple with the ambient lighting throughout (partly due to the mullioned windows, partly due to clever choice of lamps) makes it feel cosy and romantic. It is no surprise that Great Fosters is a much sought-after wedding venue.
If you are able to tear yourself away from your room, it is worth wandering round the grounds. The 50-acre estate includes its own lake, kitchen gardens and even some rare breed pigs. On warmer days, there is an outside pool to be enjoyed too.
No break is complete without delicious food. The hotel’s main restaurant, simply titled The Tudor Room, is designed so that diners revel in the enjoyment of food. An à la carte menu is offered during the week, but the only decision to be made at the weekend is between the six or eight course taster menu. Each course is presented with much fanfare and style, and the meal is drawn out to be a real event. Some courses hit the spot more than others, but the truffled Tunworth cheese and pan fried crumpet is certainly one to relish.
After dinner, it’s just a short stroll over the wooden floorboards to the cocktail bar. Here a good selection of both classic and inventive tipples can be enjoyed at leisure, and even sipped on the patio if it is a warm evening.
The relaxed vibe continues at breakfast, where there is a continental buffet or the option of a good old full English. Such is the popularity of the place that it can get very busy as the morning progresses, so it’s best to head down earlier (if you can bear to leave your four poster bed).
The last thing to do before leaving is sit by the roaring fire in the entrance hall. And then plan when you’ll return.
www.greatfosters.co.uk