Beaverbrook: a sublime summer in Churchill’s Surrey bolthole

7th June 2018

A late-Victorian mansion set in 400 acres of greenery and woodland, Beaverbrook has a history of eccentric characters and a modern-day reputation for everything from fine-dining to forest foraging. Here’s an insider look at this Surrey bolthole and how you can make the most of the summer at Beaverbrook.
 

Beaverbrook’s colourful history stems from the man the property was named after – Lord Beaverbrook. Knighted by King George V in 1911, Lord Beaverbrook’s career saw him become a politician, newspaper magnate and Cabinet Minister during both World Wars. A man who knew more than a few high flyers, Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells and James Bond author Ian Fleming were all in Lord Beaverbrook’s circle of friends. He was also friends with no less than six British Prime Ministers, who most notably included Winston Churchill.

Lord Beaverbrook’s relationship with the mansion and grounds at Beaverbrook we know today began with Rudyard Kipling in 1910. While out driving together, Lord Beaverbrook noticed the ‘For Sale’ sign. He paid £30,000 for the property after visiting it just once. The mansion had one previous owner – a businessman who had it built in 1866. After buying it, Lord Beaverbrook made some all-important updates, installing electricity, heating, a swimming pool and a home cinema – thought to be one of the first in the UK.

In the years that followed, a ‘Radio Bungalow’ was installed – an alternative war bunker thought to host the War Cabinet on occasions, and a stray rocket narrowly missed the house. Over the decades that Lord Beaverbrook lived there, he entertained all his esteemed friends at one time or another – the guest book is described as a ‘who’s who of the 20^th century’.

This is surely one of the most fascinating properties in Surrey, filled with history and tales of times past. Yet in the modern day, Beaverbrook House has continued to reinvent itself as an icon of local life, abuzz with activity in its huge grounds. Inside The House (the mansion and main building at Beaverbrook), a range of bedrooms offer a quintessentially English hotel stay with a modern-day edge – it’s even possible to stay in Churchill’s former bedroom of choice. Another magical place to stay is in The Garden House and Garden House Cottage, found within an incredible walled garden. Capturing a feeling more like that of a private home, each room has something different about it, while exuding English country charm and showcasing an eclectic array of British art and antiques.
 

For the foodies among us, Beaverbrook’s chefs are planning a summer of culinary sessions at the Beaverbrook School of Cookery that will really tickle the taste buds. There will be cooking classes on making the perfect pasta, sushi, chocolate fondant and tiramisu. Beaverbrook’s restaurants and eateries are also gearing up for a summer of seasonal flavours. Tuck into the Anglo-Italian menu that changes monthly at the Garden House restaurant – which uses many of the fresh ingredients grown on the Beaverbrook estate itself, including asparagus, courgettes and a riot of herbs and spices. Alternatively, visit The Dining Room in The House for an incredible feast of Japanese cuisine, or head to The Parrot Bar overlooking the rolling Surrey Hills – ideal for sipping hand-crafted cocktails accompanied by Japanese snacks.

Summer afternoons are best spent enjoying afternoon tea in Beaverbrook’s lounge or on the terrace, where you can indulge in everything from fresh loose teas to hand-crafted cakes and savoury snacks. There’s everything on the menu from duck egg and Shizo mayonnaise – served on tomato bread, to salted caramel éclairs and house-baked scones, accompanied with original jams by Butterfly and the Bee.
 

Summers are made for making the best of the great outdoors, and this is where Beaverbrook’s extensive grounds and ingenious activities really come into their own. On the property alone, it’s possible to go horse-riding, fishing, rambling, bike riding and forest foraging. Adults can also come in groups for team-building fun at Beaverbrook, with the opportunity to do everything from segway rides and archery to bespoke wine tasting events. Beaverbrook also partners with the Bear Grylls Academy for yet more hand-on-outdoorsy fun.

Tennis courts offer a little activity and competitive fun for all age groups, while Beaverbrook’s Kids Club – along with Sharky & George and the dedicated children’s co-ordinator – organise den building, night safaris, treasure hunts, geo caching, water slides, crazy golf and time capsule activities. Summertime will also be filled with a schedule of events just for the little ones. Phew!

As if there wasn’t enough to do at Beaverbrook this summer itself, a whole host of summertime fun is on offer in the local area too, ranging from the Grange Park Opera to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the outdoor Hampton Court Palace Festival.

Perfectly capturing Surrey’s incredible history, swathes of greenery and sense of fun, Beaverbrook can’t fail to make this summer’s must-visit list. It’ll whet the appetite for late in summer too, when a new spa – The Coach House Spa – will be opening, with an incredible design by one of the world’s most esteemed glass architects and artists, Brian Clarke. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam, a steam room, sauna, six treatment rooms with an out-of-this-world spa menu, a nail lounge, gym, deli and shop. New accommodation in the form of the Coach House Cottages will also open near the spa, offering more pet-friendly living space, additional sleeping areas and garden views.

Find out more information on Beaverbrook and to make a reservation.

Read our other summer 2018 related stories:

Inside look: Denbies Wine Estate this summer
Woking Food and Drink Festival 2018: the lowdown
North Downs Way: celebrating 40 years of a stunning walking trail
Godalming highlights: summer 2018