A country hotel within 1.5 hours London for v v v much longed for weekend?

[Myfirstcalendar]

So my lovely P I L have offered to look after our children so that my husband and I can remember what each other look like. We have Friday to Sunday. We want to make as much use of it as possible and would like to find a nice hotel with a not too long a drive of London. Budget is probably around £500 for two nights. Any Recommendations springing to mind? I would like to think that we are going to do cultural things during the day but I suspect we will just spend all day in our room revelling in the lack of children! Not that fussed on spa things etc - nice grounds would be ideal. Any recommendations?

Henley is perfect for a romantic weekend away. Lunch at the little angel, dinner at the giggling squid. Bit of shopping, see a film or go to the Kenton (cutest theatre ever)

What about this in Oxford?

www.oldparsonage-hotel.co.uk

Or Le Manoir is amazing but over budget. It's fabulous though.

Go here OP

Small. Quaint. Quiet. Lots of coastal walks. Loads of history (castles galore) has a spa if you fancy.

Food was delicious. Service was impeccable. Think it's independent.

www.wallettscourthotelspa.com

We stayed at the Old Bank, they have a little car park. We went for a Gaudy & sat in the garden when we got back from dinner & had a drink - real treat without children.

We stayed at the McDonald hotel in Oxford and bath both seriously fabulous! Whatley manor is amazing spa fabulous x

Have you decided op?

I second Bath - Queensberry Hotel in Russell Street is v nice and very central so you can walk everywhere (townhouse style, no garden to speak of). The Royal Crescent Hotel is lovely and has pretty gardens and is right on the park so much greener than the Queensberry and right where it's at. The Bath Priory is lovely and nice gardens but that would be a longish walk into town.
Also, and very fab indeed, The Pig Near Bath which would be amazing for just relaxing and a 20min drive into Bath.

Lords of the Manor in the Cotswolds?

Old Parsonage in Oxford is lovely - quite chintzy but has a proper country house hotel feel.

Other favourite around there is the Falkland Arms in Great Tew, though that's more a pub with rooms but it's a fabulous place to get away from things. Although the team behind Babington/Soho house are apparently due to open a place there which will rather spoil it change the character of the place - don't think it's open yet but would imagine it will be pretty plush.

And another vote for Calcot Manor, it's fab - went on a freezing weekend in December 5 years ago and had a lovely glass of fizz in the hot tub.

Am now feeling very envious! Have a lovely time.

Thank you all so much - have added these to a list for the next 15 years or so. Reckon I can get at least one more weekend away before they all leave home. We have booked but every time someone posts something else I beetle off to look at it and want to change my mind.

The Five Arrows at Waddesdon is lovely (I went to a wedding there a few years ago). And you have all the grounds of Waddesdon manor to get lost in and the house to explore if you feel like leaving your room.

Crazy Bear in Stadhampton? Bit bonkers in terms of decoration but very comfortable. Lovely thai restaurant and a great farm shop on way home.

Beaconsfield has a Crazy Bear too if you fancy being a bit nearer.