Horwood House is a hidden gem in Buckinghamshire and my goodness they have blown us away! You know when you get that feel good vibe and feel on top of the world?! This is most definitely a countryside hotel that you’ll leave on a high.
From the incredible location to the surroundings, staff and facilities, Horwood House ticks A LOT of boxes and I’ll share with you now why we found our stay to be so exceptional.
First impressions are important and the entrance and driveway leading up to the hotel is just beautiful. The avenue of trees stands proudly welcoming you into the stunning grounds with the cows are mooing, birds singing and flowers waving as you drive in. ‘Wow’ we thought – this is going to be an amazing stay…
Part of the Buckinghamshire landscape since the 18th century, Horwood House is a grade II listed building set within 38 beautiful acres. It has recently undergone a £6 million renovation, while carefully managing to preserve the unique features of the manor house and its surroundings.
Situated in a fantastic location, Horwood House benefits from many local attractions nearby – whether you’re looking for a fun family day out to Woburn Safari Park, a Golf trip to Abbey Hill Golf Club, or perhaps shopping till you drop at the well-known Bicester Village. Or you could quite simply relax and have a spa pamper at the hotel. There’s something to suit every guest.
Inviting and friendly from the moment you step inside, the interiors are a breath of fresh air with a mix of modern and luxurious historical style. Calming shades of nature are blended with earthy tones which give the sense of tranquillity.
We stayed in an executive suite which is perfect for our family of three. The room was divided into two making a separate living area and bedroom, which is ideal when traveling with a baby! The bed was so luxurious and comfortable that I slept like a baby myself! The exec suites at Horwood house feature a generous family size bathroom with upgraded bath products along with plenty of complimentary tea and coffee in the rooms, fluffy robes, slippers, mini-fridge and coffee machine.
After unpacking and relaxing, we went to explore the rest of the hotel and of course, the spa and leisure facilities. The pool area was stunning and spotlessly clean. The design tasteful, simple, yet classy. Family friendly, there are allocated children’s times which is perfect for families, while guests can also enjoy a relaxing dip without children outside of these times which is a great idea. After a dip we treated ourselves to a pamper in the H spa which was divine! With a range of treatments on offer, there’s bound to be something to help you relax and unwind, along with a state-of-the art gym if you want to get the heart rate up before dinner!
As dinner time approached, we dressed up and wandered down to Harry’s Bar & Kitchen where evening dinner is served. The restaurant was marvellous and I adored the fun modern style of the interiors with a big central ceiling window feature which made the room feel bright and airy.
We started with feta and cream cheese stuffed peppers and crispy calamari served with a rich sriracha mayo. For mains, steak and fries won us over – cooked beautifully. While the majority of dishes are cooked on charcoal like the steaks, burgers, skewers and chicken, there are also a range of delicious large plates like ale battered haddock and miso glazed cod. Our food was so good that we’d return to Horwood House just to eat here again – fresh ingredients, full of flavour and the overall service was spot on.
We finished the evening with a beautiful walk as the sun was setting. The surrounding views are truly spectacular! A wonderful place if you’re a fan of nature, wildlife and escapism.
Everyone at the hotel was extremely kind and helpful. I think one of the important aspects of a hotel is the people. They really can make a trip extraordinary, and boy did they go above and beyond expectations. Experience the five star service at Horwood House for yourself. Book a stay here.
Written by Sophia Sellwood
