Staying at Cliveden House Hotel Buckinghamshire

[April Harris]

Staying at Cliveden House Hotel in Buckinghamshire is always a treat. My husband and I have visited many times over the years, most recently in June and October 2025. Every visit has been special for different reasons – from special events to memorable dinners and time with family and friends. All our visits to Cliveden have been personally paid for, this is simply a place we love and return to often.

A Luxury Escape at Cliveden House​

Nestled in the Buckinghamshire countryside for over 450 years, Cliveden House Hotel has seen its share of splendour and scandal. In fact, there is history around almost every corner.

The public areas of this five-star hotel are luxurious and opulent and the rooms and suites are beautiful and well appointed, with very comfortable beds. Outdoor and indoor pools, a fitness area and a spa make this is definitely a great place to relax and be pampered. There are also over 300 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland walks. If you have ever wanted to live ‘like the other half’ or step back in time, this is definitely the hotel for you.

At A Glance​

• Location: Taplow, Buckinghamshire – Taplow is near Windsor and about 23 minutes by car from Windsor Castle (which on a clear day you can just see in the distance from the windows and terraces of the Cliveden House Hotel0. London is about an hour and twenty minutes by car. You can also travel by taxi to Maidenhead station and get a train to London’s Paddington Station (about 40 minutes). A taxi from Heathrow airport will take about 26 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Style: Historic Grade 1 Listed country house hotel
• Best for: Romantic escapes, special celebrations, elegant weekend breaks, weddings
• Why we love it: Warm service, beautiful rooms, classic British luxury, stunning grounds
• Our experience: We have returned many times since 2014 alone and with family and friends, always for independently paid dinners and stays. We stayed most recently in June 2025 and October 2025.

The History and Atmosphere​

Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a place to entertain the cream of society, Cliveden has always attracted glamour, as well as the occasional scandal. Its first owner famously embarked on an affair with the Duchess of Shrewsbury and later killed her husband in a duel, although he was ultimately pardoned by the King.

Over the centuries, Cliveden has been home to aristocrats and royalty, and was frequently visited by Queen Victoria. More recently, it became synonymous with the Profumo Affair in the 1960s, a political scandal that helped bring down a government. If you would like to explore its fascinating story further, I recommend The Mistresses of Cliveden by Natalie Livingstone (affiliate link).

Today, the estate still attracts distinguished guests. We have spotted recognisable faces in the dining room and once were seated at a table next to a former British Prime Minister. It is also a favourite setting for society and celebrity weddings. Meghan Markle stayed at Cliveden with her mother and the night before her wedding to Prince Harry too.

Despite all this, the atmosphere at Cliveden is elegant yet unpretentious. There’s a sense of occasion yet nothing about it feels stuffy. The welcome is warm, the service is excellent, and the overall feeling is one of relaxed luxury.

Arriving at Cliveden House Hotel​

Visitors to the hotel, spa and restaurants enter via the Hedsor Gate of Bourne End Road, not the National Trust entrance. Be sure to tell reception the number plate of your vehicle. You then drive past a beautiful fountain reminiscent of those at Versailles, turn left and drive up towards the house.

The Fountain of Love at Cliveden

The main entrance of the hotel is imposing but very pretty. Beautifully carved stone details, balustrades and friezes add a sense of romance. (The photograph below was taken by me at the James Martin Rally in 2025. That’s our Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in the foreground. She’s nicknamed “The Peacock” because of her gorgeous blue colour. )

The main entrance of Cliveden House.

As you step through the door into the elegant lounge area, one of the first things you will notice is the lovely portrait of Nancy Astor by John Singer Sargent. Lady Nancy Astor, who lived at Cliveden during the twentieth century, was the first woman to take up a seat in the House of Commons. Plush sofas and inviting armchairs fill this warmly lit space, inviting you to sit down and relax by the fire. The staff are very welcoming and we always feel right at home.

The lounge at Cliveden House Hotel, Buckinghamshire
with the portrait of Nancy Astor on the left

Rooms and Suites​

There are 47 rooms and suites at Cliveden, including the exceptionally luxurious Lady Astor Suite and the Prince of Wales Suite. I have been lucky enough to stay in both, as well as in several other rooms and suites. I have a soft spot for the beautiful Lady Astor Suite, because it is so beautiful and feminine, but the Prince of Wales Suite is my favourite. It’s like having a little apartment of your own, and the views over the parterre and over towards Windsor are breathtaking.

Spring Cottage, a separate riverside property on the estate, often visited by Queen Victoria in years gone by, is also available.

If you would like a peak into one of the most iconic rooms at Cliveden, you can read about our stay in the Lady Astor Suite here. I love the decor (in my favourite colours!) and it is the perfect blend of history, elegance and comfort.

For a glimpse of the Prince of Wales Suite (my absolute favourite suite so far) check out the photographs below.

The entrance to the Prince of Wales Suite

Living Room in the Prince of Wales Suite

The view of the Parterre from the bedroom
in the Prince of Wales Suite

The National Trust​

Part of the extensive gardens at Cliveden House

The estate is open as part of the National Trust, and visitor tours of the hotel and chapel on specific dates and times are available. The gardens are open most days and you can walk for miles exploring them. There are also some lovely woodland and riverside walks. I particularly love the rose garden in the spring and summer months.

Hotel guests are charged a National Trust fee on top of their accommodation (£18 per guest at time of writing). There is also slightly lower National Trust charges if you are dining, enjoying afternoon tea or visiting the spa. If you are National Trust members, as we are, Cliveden will remove the charge.

Dining at Cliveden House​

The main Dining Room at Cliveden House

Cliveden offers many options for dining to both residents and non-residents. Breakfast in the beautiful main dining room (pictured above) is always excellent and their dinners are exceptional. We have had many celebration dinners there including three of my birthday dinners in the last 10 years. They also offer a beautiful afternoon tea. Ask for a table by the window; the view over the garden and off into the distance is breathtaking, even in stormy weather. There is less formal restaurant, The Astor Grill in the old stables.

Cliveden also has several other dining rooms suitable for private dining, including The French Dining Room below, where we attended events in June 2025 and October 2025.

My husband and I in The French Dining Room

Why We Love Returning​

Cliveden House Hotels is one of our favourite country house hotels. History, elegance and warm hospitality always come together to make all of our experiences here memorable. From long walks in the gardens and by the banks of the Thames to relaxing hours spent in the spa, candlelit dinners and quiet moments by the fire, each stay has always been special to us in its own way. We always leave feeling rested, inspired, and ready to plan to our next visit.

Disclosure: All our visits to Cliveden have been personally paid for, this is simply a place we love and return to often.

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