HOTEL of the week

DE VERE SELSDON ESTATE, SURREY

WHERE AND WHY

Tucked away in the countryside just outside Croydon in Surrey, the Selsdon Estate offers picturesque luxury just 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of central London. The old manor house, rumoured to have hosted Henry VIII, was transformed into a hotel in 1924 and has just undergone a glorious refurbishment as part of the De Vere group. The multimillion pound investment has revitalised 150 beautifully-decorated bedrooms and grand reception rooms with stunning original features and stained glass windows. Every corner of the building oozes character and history. The hotel is set in 200 acres and incorporates a golf course and secret gardens.

ON THE MENU

The hotel’s 1042 restaurant and bar, offering glorious views of the grounds, prides itself on traditional dishes with a modern twist – all beautifully presented. The smoked haddock and spring onion fishcake (€8) was bursting with flavour and the €8 raspberry cheesecake’s ginger base gave it a real kick. But the real highlight was the creamy boeuf

bourguignon (€18). It’s one of my favourite dishes and this version, served with mash, certainly didn’t disappoint. The hotel’s stunning orangery also offers afternoon tea (€22) if you fancy a real treat. And you can work it all off in the

refurbished gym, pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

The estate is a quick bus ride from Croydon train station, so you can be in central London in half an hour. But if you fancy a more peaceful morning, why not make the five minute drive to the National Trust’s Selsdon Wood, a lovely nature reserve filled with wildlife.

WAKE-UP CALL

Rooms start from €99 a night B&B. See phcompany. com, 0044 020 8712 3667.