A Swell Slumber in Surrey at Lord Beaverbrook’s Manor: If these walls could talk… but they don’t have to…

If it’s good enough in this century for Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney and Zendaya, (whom I just missed by a day) – and in the past century frequent visitor Winston Churchill, as well as U.S. Ambassadors Joe and Rose Kennedy, Rudyard Kipling, H. G. Wells, W. B. Yeats, and other political and literary movers and shakers – then Beaverbrook, the country manor house, is probably good enough for you.

In 1910, Lord Beaverbrook (aka Max Aitken, 1879-1964), Canadian by birth and English by title, bought a pile of a house with a grand staircase (not unlike the King’s staircase at Kensington Palace) for 30,000 pounds in Leatherbrook, England. He put another 10,000 pounds into refurbishments, and the same amount for a coach house (now a spa) and thus created his country retreat less than an hour by car from London. Set in the middle of a lush 490-acre estate, he and his wife (Lady B, ‘natch) hosted some of the most sparkling guests during the first half of the last century.

Beaverbrook, appointed Minister of Aircraft Production in 1940 by Prime Minister/good friend Winston Churchill, oversaw the design and production of the famous spitfire airplane. The aircraft’s sleek design is featured prominently on bar napkins, little pins worn by staff, swirled on cappuccinos and tiramisu. There’s even a replica at the main house entrance. Lord B, also a publishing magnate (The Daily Express), yielded enormous power and sway and enjoyed the most excellent of connections and friends.

Back in the day, Beaverbook had an attentive butler called “Nockles” – but upon my arrival from London, I enjoyed the company of lanky Michael, a most charming bellman/historian/enthusiast who showed me around the property. The tour included his fave spot: the very Art Deco private cinema installed by Beaverbrook was Britain’s first home cinema where Winston Churchill once watched Pathé newsreels. Free flicks are screened there nightly, beginning with those rated for children and, ending later, with grown-up movies. Doorman Michael also enlightened me with tales of the recent past, including the night Sir Paul McCartney regaled lucky guests with a half hour piano set.

I was escorted to my charming and airy room called “Rosemary” in The Garden House. I admired the lush velvet headboard, charming botanical and bird prints adorning the walls, spacious bathroom and tile shower. My view of the greens below and a huge, purple-leafed tree (maybe Japanese maple?) added to the tranquility. Nightly turn down and lots of gratis treats are part of all the comforts here.

I toddled back down to the main house for a pre-dinner tipple in Sir Frank’s Bar, where I sipped on a cheerfully pink Cosmopolitan and chatted with the bartenders, followed by a superb dinner from The Garden Restaurant’s “Anglo-Italian” menu. I enjoyed a fresh salad, lovely white artichoke soup, excellent local lamb and 50/50 mash (potatoes and parsnips) all topped off with a quite nice tiramisu. From the fantastic wine list, I choose a Sancerre followed by a full-bodied Tuscan that paired nicely with my meal, while enjoying a most delightful conversation with two retired doctors down from London to celebrate their birthdays and anniversary, making my delicious dinner even more tasty.

Breakfast and The Coach House Health Club + Spa

The full English breakfast was a huge and hearty affair: eggs, bacon, blood sausage, beans, tomato and lovely toast, in toast rack, ‘natch. Before check-out and my return to London town, I had time to check out the superb Coach House Spa where I swam in one of the two large pools (indoor and outdoor), soaked in the jacuzzi spa, took a steam and sauna (shared with the menfolk, where I almost made the mistake of entering au natural). There’s also a lovely shop and deli.

Little buggies (what we call golf carts) surrey guests around the property. The 18-hole golf course has a fine reputation according to my local source and new best friend from my British Air transatlantic flight, Lady Patty Davies, who lives about an hour away in Hampshire.

It was a bit drizzly for much of the hike around the vast grounds: an excuse for a return visit to try the other dining venues and slumber in the main house in one of the suites named for former visitors Elizabeth Taylor, Ian Fleming, or Winston Churchill (which had a secret escape exit once upon a time).

The current consortium of owners includes a Cadbury (as in the chocolates) and an art collector whose $7 million Anselm Kiefer hangs in the grand foyer. They have done a magnificent job here, as well as at their sister property, where I spent my last night in London.

Beaverbrook Town House – London

The 14-room townhouse in London – adjacent to Cadogan Gardens where guests can borrow the key to the lovely private Cadogan Garden just across the street – opened in 2021. Trendy décor, a lovely staff – friendly to dogs and humans – a very good Asian restaurant called The Fuji Grill (which offers an omakase), and all-around coziness make this lodging in the heart of Chelsea a delightful town choice.

What I loved most here is that rooms are named and decorated thematically after London theatres. I stayed in The Lyceum. Houdini once performed at that theatre, and a poster next to my bed read: “Do Spirits Return? Houdini says no and proves it!”

Both properties stock complimentary drinks, sodas, crisps (chips to us), flavored popcorn, and the day’s morning papers. All in all, I imagine Lord Beaverbrook would be delighted with the repurposing of his country estate and keeping his name in the forefront at the town house named in his honor and memory. Hip, hip hooray!  

The Details: Beaverbrook (The Original) and Beaverbrook Town House 

Beaverbrook Country Estate is about a 45-minute drive by car or train ride from London. I highly recommend Pharaoh Car Service; the owner worked at Beaverbrook estate before launching his transportation business and happily shares Beaverbrook history en route. www.beaverbrook.co.uk

-A remarkable hot air balloon dining experience is happening through the end of September: Following the success of last year’s ‘Summer of Love’, Beaverbrook has continued its partnership with luxury lifestyle brand Summerill & Bishop to reinvent its iconic, stationary hot air balloon dining experience. In this year’s campaign, titled A Sky Full of Stripes, six stationary balloons, decorated in romantic jewel tones of raspberry red and rose pink, frame The Italian Garden. The accompanying menu, curated by Beaverbrook’s Executive Development Chef Wojciech Popow, offers a playful twist on alfresco Japanese dining, with a myriad of innovative, handcrafted dishes, as well as the return of a Yakiniku grill for an interactive dining experience.