Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France
Hartwell House is in the Vale of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire only one hour's drive from central London and Heathrow Airport.
History
Hartwell House has a remarkable history, stretching back almost a thousand years to the reign of Edward the Confessor. It has been the seat of William Peveral the natural son of William the Conqueror; of John Earl of Mortaigne who succeeded his brother Richard the Lion Heart as King of England in 1199; and of Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France who held court there from 1809 to 1814.
Louis was joined at Hartwell by his Queen, Marie-Josephine de Savoie, his niece the Duchesse D’Angoulême, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, his brother the Comte d’Artois, later Charles X, and Gustavus IV the exiled King of Sweden.
During the residence of the French Court the roof was converted into a miniature farm, where birds and rabbits were reared in cages, while vegetables and herbs were cultivated in densely planted tubs. Shops were opened in the outbuildings by émigrés short of money.
Wine & Dine
For the full-blown great country house experience", you won't do much better than Louis XVIII's one-time refuge in exile, The principal Dining Room, designed in 1988 in the style of the eminent early 19th century architect, Sir John Soane, is the setting for the imaginative cooking of our chef, which has been awarded two rosettes by the Automobile Association.
Our selections for both A La Carte and daily menus feature seasonal local farms and county produce, such as the reintroduction of a Tasting Menu on the menu, together with our own Hartwell Orchards and Garden fruit, vegetables and herbs to bring the freshest of ingredients to enhance all the true flavours for the dishes we prepare for the table.
Hartwell Spa
The Hartwell Spa is situated close to the Hartwell Rooms and Hartwell Court, about 100 yards from the main house. An essential part of a visit to Hartwell House is the opportunity to relax and enjoy the pleasures of the Spa. Swim in the warm clear water of the inviting pool lined with blue mosaic tiles, relax in the steam room, sauna and the bubbling waters of the whirlpool bath. Also, with the addition of our brand new all weather hydrotherapy Hot Tub located on the spa sun terrace, sit back in the gently curved lounge seats that are contoured to allow you to relax, with 28 hydro jets massaging and soothing your tired aching muscles, in pure comfort. Soft head rests and a spacious foot well allow you to stretch out, giving plenty of space for others, while the powerful jets and bubbles work their magic.
Superior Royal Rooms & Suites
Main House superior Royal double and twin bedrooms We offer six Royal double and twin-bedded rooms on the first floor of the main house with a four poster bedroom on the mezzanine floor. Spacious and tastefully decorated in traditional country house style overlooking the surrounding parkland.
