Located near Lymington on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, just 90 miles from London and within walking distance of the sea, Chewton Glen is a simply magical rural retreat that somehow successfully manages to offer both indulgent five-star luxury for grown-ups and a real sense of fun for families with swish treehouse suites to stay in and child-friendly activities.
The main ivy-clad house is that classic English country retreat – all old-world elegance, croquet on the lawn and sumptuous summer gardens – but don’t be fooled: you’ll also find whip-smart contemporary design, a state-of-the-art thalassotherapy spa, exquisite Michelin-starred dining and, for a treat, the chicest treehouse suites imaginable. Add an amazing array of outdoor adventures, including foraging, falconry and fishing (and that’s just the Fs), and you’ll quickly feel like the Swiss Family Robinson after graduating from finishing school.
Accommodation divides into the rooms and suites in the main house and the incredible treehouse suites. Those in the main house are very spacious, fitted out with all the tech you’re ever likely to need, and offer either a traditional or contemporary décor, although ‘traditional’ does not mean fusty and ‘contemporary’ is not scarily so.
For families, however, what could be better than staying in a treehouse? Your children will be jumping up and down as they discover secret bunk areas, peer out through the canopy and open the daily breakfast hamper that’s delivered to your door. You meanwhile will quietly congratulate yourself on your impeccable taste as you admire the quality of the finishing, warm yourself by the wood-burning stove or sink into your private hot tub on the deck. And when you’re ready to head over to the main hotel for a meal, a spa treatment or to organise an activity, a shuttle will be ready to whisk you over.
At Chewton Glen, every whim of yours will be catered to by staff who really know how to pamper you. Dining is spectacular, and whether you fancy a Sunday brunch, a gastronomic tasting menu for dinner or afternoon tea, you’ll find all kinds of spaces from beautiful conservatories to intimate dining alcoves and a stunning open wine room in which to enjoy the seasonal, sustainably sourced gourmet fare, dextrously handled by head chef Andrew du Bourg. If you’ve engaged a babysitter, then head to the club-like bar afterwards and sink into a deep leather armchair for a brandy by the fire.
Activities abound at Chewton Glen. Partake in traditional English country pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting and archery in the hotel's grounds, or learn the noble art of falconry, gun-dog handling and even herding ducks. Indoor and outdoor tennis, jogging tracks, a nine-hole golf course and a free kids' club operating in the school holidays mean that you and your family will never be short of options.
The surrounding New Forest is a natural paradise where you can forage for wild porcini, go on a treasure hunt, ride ponies, horses and bicycles or race an Apache buggy. Fifteen minutes away, Lymington offers a host of nautical pleasures from powerboat and sailing trips to catamaran rides and luxury yacht charters – all easily arranged through Chewton Glen’s fantastic concierge.
And when you’re tired out, and in need of recharging, the spa at Chewton Glen is absolutely phenomenal: with indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools including Europe’s largest hydrotherapy pool, a state-of-the-art gym and any number of personalised body treatments available, it’s the perfect place to unwind and let yourself succumb.
