Hotel of the week Hartwell House Hotel and Spa, Buckinghamshire

WHERE AND WHY

As I did a lap of the grand turning circle outside Hartwell House in our VW Golf – around a statue of Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of King George II, straddling his horse – it was clear we were in for a special visit.

The Grade I-listed house in the Vale of Aylesbury has everything you’d want from a National Trust property – rich history, sumptuous decor, beautiful grounds and, oh, you can stay the night. Donated to the Trust by Historic House Hotels, it offers 48 rooms and suites, all dotted with antiques, portraits and a fair few four-poster beds.

We were shown to a Royal Room, named for France’s King Louis XVIII, who spent five years of his exile resting – and keeping – his head at Hartwell as revolution gripped his country. The beautiful room featured an en suite with a deep bath, window seats for admiring the grounds, TV, Nespresso machine and plenty of period features.

ON THE MENU

We were served afternoon tea in the Morning Room, tucking into tiers of delicate sandwiches and sweet treats (gluten-free for me), including apple and blackberry macarons and scones.

For dinner, as a pianist serenaded guests, I started with a velvety celeriac soup with truffle creme fraiche, followed by wild mushroom tagliatelle with cepe veloute. My partner savoured his Oxfordshire beef tartare with salted egg and mustard mayonnaise, then monkfish with pesto-glazed courgette, pepper and aubergine terrine and white wine butter sauce. We split a refreshing mango and vanilla parfait before accepting defeat.

Breakfast is another chance to feast like a king with a continental buffet and cooked options including Finnan smoked haddock with poached eggs and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

Dinner is £64pp for two courses, £79pp for three courses. Afternoon tea is £40pp.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Exploring the house is a must – the painted ceilings, the staircase with sword-wielding statuettes, the library where Bill Clinton broadcast to America.

It’s set in 90 acres and there’s a spa for a pamper. Bicester Village is 30 minutes away and it’s 20 minutes to Waddesdon Manor.

WAKE-UP CALL

Hartwell House offers B&B from £295 per room per night. A Royal Double is £520 also B&B. hartwell.house.com