Coworth Park
Coworth Park in Ascot, England, is set amongst gardens, fields and lakes, 45 minutes from London.



If the recent wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton has your clients wanting to sample the royal lifestyle, a visit to Coworth Park—a new country resort in Ascot, England—is a must. 

Luxury Travel Advisor is just back from this countryside hotel, spa and equestrian center, set amid acres of endless green fields, manicured gardens and emerald lakes, less than 45 minutes from London. The resort, one of the latest of the Dorchester Collection, lived up to our imagination of what weekends might be like for modern British royals.

 

The 59-Foot Indoor Pool in the Spa
The 59-Foot Indoor Pool in the Spa at Coworth Park opens onto a sun terrace.

Nestled between the famous Ascot Racecourse and Windsor Great Park, Coworth Park has served as a playground for the English gentry since the 18th century. The heart of the resort is a large Georgian mansion with Stables and Cottages—landmarked buildings built in the late 1770s, whose interiors were completely renovated painstakingly over four years.

Arrival at the Mansion House sets the scene; a large bronze tree reaches through the lobby, just beyond are airy sitting rooms with plush sofas and tall windows overlooking the lime groves and gardens.

Guest rooms in the Mansion House are the grandest; no two are alike, yet all have clean, crisp furnishings in iron, leather and wood, custom-made for the property. Bathrooms have large vanities, oversized rain showers and—the real showstopper—deep tubs made of shiny copper. Book the Arbuthnot Suite for top clients; it offers the best garden views, spacious sitting area with a wood-burning fireplace, dining area, and large dressing room. Tip: Many of the Deluxe King and Double Rooms have nooks sized just right for roll-away beds, making them ideal for children.

 

The Relaxation Room in the Spa
The Relaxation Room in the Spa, which has been designed with recycled zinc and sustainable woods.

The Stables and Cottages have equestrian detailing throughout. For families, book Farmers East and West—one-bedroom suites connectable by a shared hallway. 

Have VIPs who prefer to travel under the radar? Reserve the Dower House, a 3,300-square-foot, three-bedroom residence built in 1776. Staffed with a butler and chef, the property has a full kitchen, dining room for 10, study, sitting room and its own garden with stream, home to a family of swans.

Considering Coworth Park has only 70 rooms, it has a good choice of casual and fine dining options—all deftly created by John Campbell, a Michelin-starred chef, who is a standout in the UK for his clever use of local seasonal produce. In the fine dining restaurant, John Campbell at Coworth Park, we loved the halibut with chorizo, seaweed and oysters—salty, sweet and simply divine. 

Next to the main restaurant is the Bar and Drawing Room, perfect for cocktails, paninis, salads and traditional afternoon tea. Casual dining is offered in The Barn, featuring British classics, while the Spatisserie, in the spa, serves light fare and drinks all day. 

The only completely new structure on the grounds is the 14,000-square-foot Spa. Nestled in a hillside with a “living roof” of thyme, lavender and chamomile, the eight treatment rooms and lounges are designed with recycled zinc, sustainable woods and the latest in energy efficiency: “green” without sacrificing luxury. It also has a fitness area, steam room and a 59-foot indoor swimming pool that opens on a sun terrace. The Spa has a full range of treatments for women and men, with organic and anti-aging treatments as specialties. Tip: Book Fran Carter or Leena Bayindir for the 100 percent organic facial. Reach out to Spa Manager Ann Costelloe ([email protected]) with queries.

Children are treated like royalty. At a dedicated cottage, the friendly (and first-aid trained) staff organize activities daily—from baking and designing t-shirts to treasure hunts—complimentary for children ages four and up. Tweens and teens have their “Chill Den” with Wii, Xbox, and a movie room with a 3-D TV. Contact Lucy Cook [email protected] for details.

Have a client who wants to indulge in an English Country fantasy? Management will arrange archery, falconry, clay pigeon shooting and even something called duck herding. The property also has tennis, croquet, and bicycles for guests’ use. Golf is arranged at the exclusive Wentworth Club. 

The extensive Equestrian Center offers lessons for adults and children in all manners of riding on immaculately groomed horses and ponies. Insider Secret: Riding is in demand from locals as well as hotel guests, so best to book ahead. For more information, get in touch with Laura Richardson ([email protected]).

 

Accommodations at Coworth Park
Accommodations at Coworth Park maintain their Georgian style while providing contemporary finishes. Shown here is the Weston Suite.

Finally, what would royal country life be without polo? Matches are played from April through September and hotel guests are welcome to watch. If you are looking to spot them, both Prince William and Prince Harry play at Coworth during the season. Note: This is the hotel’s busiest time, so plan accordingly.

Coworth Park can arrange VIP access to nearby attractions, including Windsor Castle and Eton College. For clients with children under 12, Legoland is not to be missed and the hotel can arrange guides or line-jumping passes.

Getting There: London Heathrow is less than 20 minutes from the hotel. Pickup can be arranged for all London airports through a car service with a fleet of brand new Jaguars. Helicopters can land right on property.

Front of House Manager Adam Sydenham ([email protected]) is the key contact for VIP bookings and arrangements, but luxury travel advisors are welcome to contact General Manager Zoe Jenkins ([email protected]) directly.