British Countryside Escape - A Girls’ Trip of Your Dreams

This spring, Anne Marie and Kylee embarked on a countryside adventure that blended traditional British elegance with new-age luxury — a week-long escape filled with manor houses, vintage train rides, wildflower meadows, and the most indulgent spa experiences we’ve ever had.

From the heart of London to the rolling hills of Oxfordshire, here’s a full breakdown of where we stayed, what we loved, and where we are already planning to return — ideally with the whole family in tow or to help you plan the perfect idyllic countryside escape.

The Lanesborough, London

Old-school glamour with Bridgerton vibes and five-star warmth

Service: 10/10

From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty. The team knew our names, surprised Anne Marie with two enormous bouquets and a personalized balloon (!), and made us feel like celebrities. Shoutout to the Library Bar servers and the top-tier concierge team who were always a step ahead.

Property: 10/10

Think Bridgerton meets modern luxury. While the décor is traditional — rich fabrics, classical art, and ornate chandeliers — the overall feel is warm and welcoming, not at all stuffy. The spa is sleek and contemporary, and there's even a resident cat named Lilibet who graciously accepts cuddles.

Rooms: 10/10

Anne Marie stayed in the only fully pink Executive Junior Suite (it was giving full Barbie meets British Royalty),, complete with a private butler and ample space for champagne-fueled hangouts.

Food: 9/10

Breakfast service lacked a bit of the polish we saw elsewhere in the hotel, but dinner in the Library Bar — complete with caviar and expert service by Michael — was exquisite.

Belmond British Pullman – Murder Mystery Train

Champagne, 1920s glamour, and a dash of Agatha Christie

This was pure, joyful escapism. If the Orient Express has always called your name (as it has mine), but the price tag gave you pause — this is the perfect alternative. We opted for the murder mystery route, donned our best flapper dresses, and spent the day indulging in wine, multi-course meals, and theatrical sleuthing. 75% of the passengers were dressed up, and every minute was an immersive, laugh-filled delight.

TL;DR: Don’t skip it — especially if you're an Agatha Christie fan.

Cliveden House

History, beauty, and bees... lots of bees

Rooms: 7/10

Our suite in the manor was lovely, but the lack of AC in summer was a struggle, (lesson learned: always check for AC in historic properties). My friends stayed in the spa rooms with private hot tubs — better airflow, less privacy.

Grounds: 10/10

Perfection. We walked for hours around the gardens, through tree-lined paths, and down to the river. Cliveden is also a public park, so the energy was lively and local.

Spa: 6/10

Beautiful spa with great potential, but surprisingly no poolside service. We had to go inside for towels, drinks, and snacks — which felt like a miss, especially given the number of staff we saw standing around indoors. It took away from what could’ve been a seamless, relaxing experience.

Dining: 

We ate off-property at The White Oak (phenomenal), but breakfast and drinks at the hotel were great. Highly recommend grabbing a cocktail in the residents’ bar.

Activities: 

Our vintage riverboat tour was a highlight. Floating down the Thames with prosecco and history lessons? Yes, please.

Four Seasons Hampshire

Jane Austen elegance with Four Seasons service

Rooms: 9/10

Beautifully appointed and incredibly comfortable. These were the best beds of the trip (double beds instead of twins!). Just beware of the room numbering system — this place is a maze.

Activities: 10/10

Croquet with bar cart service, a canal boat picnic that felt like a meditation app in real life, and visits with the estate’s horses. Horseback riding was sadly closed the day we went (Tuesdays!), but we are already planning a return with our kids.

Service: 10/10 

Warm, international staff made our stay unforgettable.

Special thanks to Adam, the guest services director, who personally toured us around and was a fountain of countryside knowledge.

Estelle Manor

New money luxury done right — with sustainability at its core

We'll admit, we were wary this would be an “influencer scene” hotel, but Estelle Manor blew us away. Owned by the team behind Gleneagles, it’s refined, bold, and surprisingly serene — a true modern country estate.

Rooms: 10/10

We split between Walled Garden and Stable Rooms — all decadently styled. The family cottages are jaw-dropping, private, and start at $6,000/night — perfect for a longer, secluded stay.

Spa: 10/10

The Roman-inspired Enshym Baths are a must. Book the 3-hour Thermal Journey and indulge in cold plunges, steam rooms, heated slabs, and Ayurvedic-inspired cuisine in the tea lounge.

Activities: 10/10

Our favorite? Driving the Ineos Grenadier on backwoods trails in a full off-roading experience. Adrenaline + luxury = yes.

Service: 8/10

The front desk was the only downside — slow check-in and billing errors — but otherwise, service throughout was excellent.

Dining: 10/10

A brasserie breakfast, dim sum in a billiards room, and dinner in a sultry Japanese dining room — every bite was top-notch.

Heckfield Place (Quick Visit)

We only stopped in for a quick tour and dinner, but we are already scheming for a return. It’s quiet, romantic, eco-forward, and immaculately curated — think Michelin green-star dining, private cinema, and decor straight from your dream Pinterest board.

Final Thoughts

This journey was a dream — a perfect balance of high luxury, countryside charm, and rich British heritage.

Whether you want Bridgerton fantasy, historic drama, or modern indulgence, there’s a corner of the English countryside for you.

We can't' wait to return, (Estelle Manor or Four Seasons Hampshire), for five nights with the family, perhaps?). Until then, we'll be reminiscing about croquet, caviar, and cats named Lilibet.

Interested in Booking This Trip?

If you are itching to take your girl friends on a similar journey, we are happy to put this together into a bookable package for you.

Everything is customizable, so whether you are traveling with your spouse or your children, we can adjust this itinerary to fit your needs.

Email AnneMarie@AlpenglowTravel.com or Kylee@AlpenglowTravel.com to get started.