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Ston Easton Park Hotel and its Cedar Tree restaurant should be a must on every travelers itinerary to the west country of England. Located near the gracious city of Bath, Ston Easton epitomizes the comfort and refinement of a level of society in England of which most could only dream. Today, thanks to the love and efforts of the Smedley family who saved the house from ruin, refurbished it even to recreating the chemical formulas of the original paint and who then opened it to the public as a hotel, we too can enjoy this most special example of Palladian beauty. The rooms are lovely to spend time in, both pubic and private and the food is excellent. The grounds are true British park land. The thirty acres of 18th Century parkland. It was created by Humphry Repton and more recently restored by the outstanding gardener, Penelope Hobhouse who,in the late 70s, was commissioned by the previous owners of Ston Easton Park to restore and redesign the kitchen garden into ‘compartment’ areas of interest. At the same time, she designed the rose garden and the cutting garden which are still here today and are now being restored. Simply sit and listen to the soothing sound of the River Norr or thrill your senses with a stroll through the cutting garden, source of the fresh flowers at Ston Easton Park.
We arrived at Christmas time. It was a time of crisp, damp days sometimes sunny, sometimes grey and misty. Always your breath came out is clouds. You really miss out on England if you only visit in the summer. The winters, though frequently overcast and dull, is never the same. The sun can come out, mysterious mists can shroud the hedges of the country lanes, rain can pour and drizzle can dampen. The days are short. But this only serves to emphasize the marvelous coziness to be found in English hotels, pubs and homes as a buffer to all of this. It makes for bracing and energizing hikes to be followed by late afternoon tea by a roaring fire. After 5.00 PM perhaps a pint in the pub. No one does a Somerset tea with thick cream like Ston Easton. Set in grounds created by the great 18th century landscape gardener, Humphry Repton, Ston Easton Park is a Grade I listed building dating from 1740, which epitomizes the very essence of the aristocratic English country house. It is filled with exquisite furnishings and paintings, excellent dining rooms and fine spacious bedrooms. The staff are welcoming and at the same time highly professional. They are ably aided by a Springer Spaniel called Sorrel and a Cocker Spaniel called Sweep welcoming guests and showing you around the grounds making you feel even more at home. Ston Easton was a private home to the Hippisley family. It was restored in the 1960s and in 1982 was opened as one of Europe’s finest hotels. The house boasts magnificent State Rooms for guests to enjoy, plus the characterful Library and the Palladian Saloon, with its ceiling motif of the eagle of Jupiter.
The Cedar Tree restaurant is one of the best west of London. Fine when we were there, it is even better now. Take a look at the menus and decide for yourselves if this doesn't deserve a visit. Chef Michael Parke has a Victorian kitchen garden on the grounds that provides his kitchens with fine, fresh vegetables with other produce sourced locally from trusted, quality suppliers. The cellars too are notorious for their rare wines and vintages. The Yellow Dining Room, with its Georgian and Regency furniture is popular for private lunches and dinner parties. The Saloon is ideal for special celebrations, large receptions, important presentations and wedding breakfasts. The Cedar Tree Restaurant, which can be opened onto the adjoining Painting Room, makes a perfect morning or breakfast room. Each setting is versatile to accommodate both small private lunches and large dinners. Guests can enjoy candlelit dinners with views over the lawns, high tea with delicious homemade scones, jam and honey or a gourmet meal in the original Georgian kitchen. The cuisine at Ston Easton Park is excellent, available in both formal and relaxed settings. The sine menu is extensive with grand, old vintages but there is an extensive range of New World and table wines. The chef believes that really fresh vegetables are an essential part of outstanding cuisine and there is a Victorian kitchen garden to provide much of what is needed backed up by the best local producers. In summer, lunches can be served outside on the front terrace and many visitors choose to hold garden parties and other prestigious events on the front lawn. Prepared picnics and rugs are available for guests who wish to dine in the grounds. Ston Easton Park lies in some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Ancient monuments, glorious gardens and fascinating stately homes are all within easy reach. So whether you come for the enviroment or the food or, hopefully, both, this is both a sensual experience as well as an opportunity to dip into part of the rich past of the British landed gentry and feel like one yourself for as long as you choose to stay. Ston Easton Park Hotel Children, Pets and Booking Conditions Ston Easton charges £30.00 per child over 4 years of age sharing with parents. We are happy to organise baby sitting, and a baby listening service is also available. Children's High Tea is served from 6pm. |
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