The Setting:

The De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor dates back to the 14th Century and within its 42 breathtaking acres of parkland, houses a chapel, conference village, The Old school and a Georgian mansion titled The White house (my eldest kid Oliver asked if president Trump might be in!!). It genuinely made for the most magical place in which to celebrate my youngest son, Alexander’s 7th birthday a few weeks ago.

Steeped in history, the original house was built for Lord Weymouth but a lot of of the architectural developments took place when it was a Catholic public school between 1854 – 1967.  much to Xander’s delight, lots of historical artefacts such as room dorm keys dating back that far, adorn the walls along with paintings from that time. I was fascinated to discover that Coco Chanel’s nephew attended the school and it was his school blazer which had inspired the cutting edge Chanel suit she later designed.

Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the venue has retained its original features (the fireplace in the drawing room and in our epic suite are staggeringly beautiful) and the plush decoration and home comforts are considered with florals dominating some rooms and dark wood and low lightening, others.

The White house hotel entrance with its restored suitcase ornaments, and striking blue and white tiled floors are interior design perfection in my book!

Our Suite:

Home for the night was an apartment-sized suite which felt subtly glamorous with a country home feel that boasted a substantial bed in its centre, and reclining arm chairs the children loved lounging on.

We really appreciated the thoughtful extras too such as cuddly toys on the children’s beds, rubber frogs in the bathtub and a big blue birthday balloon and card for my youngest son, Xander.

A sprawling suite with a dining table and chairs, office area, and an en suite shower room which frankly required Sat Nav to navigate round it, this was an sophisticated show-stopper of a room. The amber wooden details and peachy tartan cushions made it feel warm and inviting.

So inviting, Peter nodded off straight after dinner!

Isn’t it gorgeous!

What we ate:

The new 1705 restaurant & Bar opened recently, serving tasty seasonal fare from British suppliers. The executive chef team also supply food for weddings and special events (there were two weddings on the weekend we visited) and the restaurant was full on the Saturday evening we ate there.

The kids inhaled the crusty chunks of loaf with butter (chive and tomato flavoured) and took pleasure in tomato soup to start, too.

I selected a light mozzarella salad with a balsamic reduction with green, orange and red tomatoes that was tasty and filling.

Peter plumped for tasty vegetarian Arancini di Riso, Italian rice balls, to start.

Alexander couldn’t resist the garlic mushrooms and grilled ciabatta (although I admittedly polished off the few he left). Scrumptious.

In his defence, the birthday kid did eat every last piece of his margarita pizza (a first for him) and Oliver loved his homemade chicken nuggets with chips and beans.

For main course, Peter selected prawn linguini that was light and flavoursome, with all of the sides! I loved the tangy red cabbage coleslaw and want to recreate it at home!

My much-loved course of course, is always dessert and 1705 restaurant & Bar, did not disappoint. We collectively shared vanilla creme brulee and chocolate tart (out of this world, both) and along with the boys’ vanilla ice cream scoops, the waiter kindly brought out a trio of desserts and sung, ‘Happy Birthday’ to Xander, but he ate the chocolate feast before we’d had chance to take a photo so sorry at that. Testament to how good it was at least!

Breakfast the following morning after a long and serene sleep, was a hot and cold (Continental) buffet served in a dining room on the first floor.

My cheese and onion omelette was cooked to perfection and vegetarian Xander loved his (veggie) full English.

Guests can also dine outside the courtyard when the weather permits be it breakfast or a piece of pizza from their al-fresco wood-fired pizza. What a appeal to behold!

The huge and pretty grounds indicate there’s no need to travel far and we spent the whole day on site, soaking up the views with their picturesque their natural pond and the specially commissioned sculptures on the lawn.

I wish I’d brought my sketch book and could have drawn out there.

Thanks to Hila London for my gorgeous, gifted headband.

Isn’t autumn magical!

We paid respect to the fallen at the sculpture of Jesus on the cross where former pupils were listed, and relished the sun’s rays as strolled alon the Nature trail delving deep into the Enchanted Wood.

 

Wonderful. A special place you really need to visit.

We’ll be back.

Check out my vlog!

This was a complimentary stay but my words, as always, are honest.

*COMPETITION TIME*

ExcitiA Celebratory weekend at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor (###) The Setting:

The De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor dates back to the 14th Century and within its 42 breathtaking acres of parkland, houses a chapel, conference village, The Old school and a Georgian mansion titled The White house (my eldest kid Oliver asked if president Trump might be in!!). It genuinely made for the most magical place in which to celebrate my youngest son, Alexander’s 7th birthday a few weeks ago.

Steeped in history, the original house was built for Lord Weymouth but a lot of of the architectural developments took place when it was a Catholic public school between 1854 – 1967.  much to Xander’s delight, lots of historical artefacts such as room dorm keys dating back that far, adorn the walls along with paintings from that time. I was fascinated to discover that Coco Chanel’s nephew attended the school and it was his school blazer which had inspired the cutting edge Chanel suit she later designed.

Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the venue has retained its original features (the fireplace in the drawing room and in our epic suite are staggeringly beautiful) and the plush decoration and home comforts are considered with florals dominating some rooms and dark wood and low lightening, others.

The White house hotel entrance with its restored suitcase ornaments, and striking blue and white tiled floors are interior design perfection in my book!

Our Suite:

Home for the night was an apartment-sized suite which felt subtly glamorous with a country home feel that boasted a substantial bed in its centre, and reclining arm chairs the children loved lounging on.

We really appreciated the thoughtful extras too such as cuddly toys on the children’s beds, rubber frogs in the bathtub and a big blue birthday balloon and card for my youngest son, Xander.

A sprawling suite with a dining table and chairs, office area, and an en suite shower room which frankly required Sat Nav to navigate round it, this was an sophisticated show-stopper of a room. The amber wooden details and peachy tartan cushions made it feel warm and inviting.

So inviting, Peter nodded off straight after dinner!

Isn’t it gorgeous!

What we ate:

The new 1705 restaurant & Bar opened recently, serving tasty seasonal fare from British suppliers. The executive chef team also supply food for weddings and special events (there were two weddings on the weekend we visited) and the restaurant was full on the Saturday evening we ate there.

The kids inhaled the crusty chunks of loaf with butter (chive and tomato flavoured) and took pleasure in tomato soup to start, too.

I selected a light mozzarella salad with a balsamic reduction with green, orange and red tomatoes that was tasty and filling.

Peter plumped for tasty vegetarian Arancini di Riso, Italian rice balls, to start.

Alexander couldn’t resist the garlic mushrooms and grilled ciabatta (although I admittedly polished off the few he left). Scrumptious.

In his defence, the birthday kid did eat every last piece of his margarita pizza (a first for him) and Oliver loved his homemade chicken nuggets with chips and beans.

For main course, Peter selected prawn linguini that was light and flavoursome, with all of the sides! I loved the tangy red cabbage coleslaw and want to recreate it at home!

My much-loved course of course, is always dessert and 1705 restaurant & Bar, did not disappoint. We collectively shared vanilla creme brulee and chocolate tart (out of this world, both) and along with the boys’ vanilla ice cream scoops, the waiter kindly brought out a trio of desserts and sung, ‘Happy Birthday’ to Xander, but he ate the chocolate feast before we’d had chance to take a photo so sorry at that. Testament to how good it was at least!

Breakfast the following morning after a long and serene sleep, was a hot and cold (Continental) buffet served in a dining room on the first floor.

My cheese and onion omelette was cooked to perfection and vegetarian Xander loved his (veggie) full English.

Guests can also dine outside the courtyard when the weather permits be it breakfast or a piece of pizza from their al-fresco wood-fired pizza. What a appeal to behold!

The huge and pretty grounds indicate there’s no need to travel far and we spent the whole day on site, soaking up the views with their picturesque their natural pond and the specially commissioned sculptures on the lawn.

I wish I’d brought my sketch book and could have drawn out there.

Thanks to Hila London for my gorgeous, gifted headband.

Isn’t autumn magical!

We paid respect to the fallen at the sculpture of Jesus on the cross where former pupils were listed, and relished the sun’s rays as strolled alon the Nature trail delving deep into the Enchanted Wood.

 

Wonderful. A special place you really need to visit.

We’ll be back.

Check out my vlog!

This was a complimentary stay but my words, as always, are honest.

*COMPETITION TIME*

Exciti