The Vineyard at Stockcross is a luxurious country retreat in the rolling hills of the Berkshires about an hour out of London. It offers luxurious rooms, gourmet food, fine wines, and a lovely boutique spa.

Luxury Room at Vineyard at Stockcross. Photo courtesy Vineyard at Stockcross

I left the bustle of London and arrived at The Vineyard at Stockcross on a cold November day. It was a beautiful estate and I learned it was originally a 19th century hunting lodge. It was my definition of English country life and seemed so very romantic. I was traveling alone and immediately wished my husband had been there to share it with me. I could see us snuggling up by the fire or sitting at the bar sipping our before-dinner drinks.

I arrived in the afternoon and the staff promptly served me tea while they prepared my room and delivered my bags. The inn, often called a “restaurant with luxury suites attached,” has 49 rooms and suites. While they pride themselves on the award-winning cuisine, the lodge itself is a masterpiece. The rooms vary from traditional hunting lodge rooms (meaning elegant in England) to sleek modern suites. I had a beautiful luxury room and felt pampered in my own private retreat. I loved the Molton Brown products in the bathroom and the thick, soft linens on the beds.

Restaurant at Vineyard at Stockcross. Photo courtesy Vineyard at Stockcross

The Vineyard, named after owner Sir Peter Michael’s winery in Northern California, was a peaceful place to call home for a while. I was able to enjoy the tiny shops in the nearby town of Newbury, before I had to face reality and return to London for my departure. The world seemed much more gentle in the peaceful rolling hillsides surrounding the estate.

One of the most unforgettable aspects of my stay at The Vineyard was the way they seamlessly blend all the components of the hotel to appeal to all of the senses — fine wines from the 23,000 bottle collection, gourmet foods, a spa treatment featuring chocolate and wine, a glass of champagne before dinner, even a stroll by the “Fire and Water” display outside the dining room was intended to stimulate the senses.

The Vineyards at Stockcross was indeed a treat for my senses. I look forward to a return visit when I can take my husband back with me. We’ll sit in the afternoon’s setting sun, sipping tea, watching the world go by for a few moments before heading off for yet another pleasure in yet another hidden corner at Vineyard at Stockcross.

Vineyard at Stockcross. Photo courtesy Vineyard at Stockcross

The Vineyard at Stockcross
Newbury, Berkshire, England
RG20 8JU
+44 (0) 1635 528770
http://www.the-vineyard.co.uk

Vineyard at Stockcross is a Relais & Chateaux property