Hartwell House Hotel

Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is a magnificent "English Baroque" palace designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire is the home of the Dukes of Bedford, set in a 3000 acre deer park landscaped by Humphrey Repton. The house contains an impressive collection of furniture, porcelain, silver and paintings by famous craftsmen and artists.

The Cotswolds is one of England's most beautiful areas with its rolling hills, green valleys and charming villages. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds is distinctive for its honey-coloured limestone rock which has been used in the construction of the many cottages and other buildings which make the villages of the Cotswolds so enchanting. The Cotswolds has something to please everybody. One of the best ways to see the Cotswolds is to walk the Cotswold Way which wends its 100 mile way through scenic countryside and idyllic villages offering superb views of the surrounding area. One of the places of special interest on this route is the Devil's Chimney just outside Cheltenham which offers spectacular views of the town and the Severn valley over to the Malvern Hills. The following list of villages is just the tip of the iceberg. The adventurous traveller who wanders off the main roads will find countless hamlets and charming small villages. Chipping Camden, with many buildings dating from the reign of James I is a fine example of a Cotswold market town. Nearby you will find Hidcote Manor Gardens, Batsford Arboretum and Broadway Tower Country Park. Stow-on-the-Wold at 800 feet is the highest town in the Cotswolds and its market square was once home to annual sheep fairs. Nowadays Stow is more famous for antique shops, but a horse fair is still held here twice a year. Bibury is, some would say, the archetypal Cotswold village with its clear, trout filled river, traditional stone buildings and the famous Arlington Row cottages. Bourton-on-the-Water is probably the best known of all Cotswold villages. Attractions here include a Model Village, a Motor Museum and a Model Railway. Many of the houses in Winchcombe date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it was a centre of the wool and tobacco trades. Nearby Sudeley Castle was the home of Katherine Parr (one of Henry VIII's wives). Cirencester (Corinium in Roman times) has in its museum a fine collection of Roman antiquities and Cirencester Park is well worth a visit. Snowshill near Broadway is home to Snowshill Manor, now owned and operated by the National Trust. This delightful house contains a vast collection of hand-made articles collected from all over the world by the late owner.

Oxford with its historic colleges, museums, art galleries, a theatre and excellent shopping is only 20 miles away. Honey-gold buildings and a riverside setting are just part of Oxford's unique appeal. College quadrangles and gardens provide a tranquil foil to a compact and beautiful city centre which is lively all the year round. Well renowned as a seat of learning and tradition for over 800 years, Oxford has centuries of history to unveil whilst at the same time has not failed to remain in the present. With all the high street shops and many contemporary bars and restaurants, Oxford has a traditional covered market, gift and antique shops as well as some of the finest bookshops in the world. Traditional pubs can be found that were once frequented by famous writers such as C S Lewis and J R R Tolkein and more recently, Inspector Morse. Both the Oxford Story and the Museum of Oxford tell the history of the city and university. As the birthplace of Alice in Wonderland and Hogwarts Hall in the Harry Potter films, Christchurch is a must see, whilst internationally renowned museums such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art provide something for all ages. Punting and cruising on the Isis and Cherwell make popular summer pastimes whilst a walking tour or an open top bus tour, provide great introductions to the city and are available all year round. Parks and meadows in and around the city centre are peaceful places in which to walk, picnic or simply admire the views. The choice of evening entertainment ensures that Oxford is also a popular place to stay. Live entertainment includes drama, dance, ballet, opera and musicals performed by leading national and international companies at the Apollo and Oxford Playhouse and student productions and concerts held in historic settings such as a the Sheldonian Theatre or Christ Church Cathedral. Pubs, clubs and cafes provide entertaining venues for jazz, comedy and other gigs.

Stowe Landscape Gardens in Buckingham is one of the most important landscape gardens in Britain. Hartwell House is also within easy reach of Chiltern Open Air Museum, Beckonscot Village, Sulgrave Manor, Cliveden and the Verulamium Museum or perhaps visit Bicester Village, Europe's leading luxury outlet shopping destination.

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, creator of Waddesdon, loved France and French art. In 1874, with his French architect Destailleur and his landscape gardener Lain, he built this Renaissance style chäteau. Over thirty five years Ferdinand lovingly assembled from all over Europe an outstanding collection of paintings, furniture, carpets and curiosities to please his weekend guests. Outside, his creation included a Victorian formal garden, parkland, Rococo-style aviary, winding walks, colourful trees and panoramic views. Waddesdon also has one of the finest Victorian Gardens in Britain, famous for its landscape of specimen trees, parterre and striking displays of seasonal bulbs and bedding plants. Opening Times For further information regarding Waddeson Manor and current opening times please view their website at www.waddesdon.org.uk.

Just one hour from London, Bicester Village is a dream destination for designer outlet shopping and the super smart shopper seeking luxury at desirable prices