PA Life Editor checked into De Vere Latimer Estate, a beautiful country house hotel in Buckinghamshire, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. There is much to explore and enjoy in the house and the grounds on the estate and beyond. I did my best to sample the best during my 24-hour whistle-stop visit…
Latimer House is an impressive sight, sitting on a hill above the Chess Valley and surrounded by gorgeous countryside as far as your eye can reach. Quite a contrast from where I left London on the Metropolitan Line to travel to Chalfont and Latimer 45 minutes earlier. The drive from the station to the estate is another five minutes. Junction 18 of the M25 is five miles away, and both Heathrow and Luton Airports roughly 30 minutes by car making Latimer a very easily accessible venue.
Latimer Estate has had a colourful history stating back to as early as AD 1194. Today it’s a wonderful setting for celebrations and conferences, or short breaks away from it all. A lot of love and attention has gone into the restorations and refurbishment of the house, making it a beautiful hotel and venue, fit for the 21st-century guests.
Latimer House is a fine example of an English country manor house with a fascinating past. It was first occupied by families of English nobility and during World War II it became a top secret centre for military intelligence, where it gained its name as one of Britainโs most secret homes. We had a lovely ‘ration box’ waiting for us in our room which was nice touch and a nod to the war time past. During the WWII the house held prisoners of war in the underground vaults, which are still today left almost untouched. We could see the prisoners’ writing on the walls on our tour of the building, guided by the very knowledgeable Sarah, front of house manager.
Our tour took in the event spaces in the main hotel building and also the charming church that can be hired for wedding ceremonies. We also saw the newly refurbished contemporary conference and meetings venue Waterhouse Suite, and The Mews offering more meeting rooms. The conference and meetings areas are catered with its own restaurant, convenient for lunches during your event.
Guests at De Vere Latimer Estate can also enjoy the fully equipped gym and the indoor pool with a sauna and steam room. We loved the chance to unwind at the pool and saunas before cocktails and dinner.
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- Welcome treat and ration box with a nod to the WWII past
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- Local filet of lamb
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- Cornish crab and avocado tian
Eating and drinking at De Vere Latimer Estate
The recently refurbished 1838 Restaurant & Bar in the Mansion House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a light and informal setting. There is also a outdoor seating area in the charming old courtyard. We managed to get a table inside the Victorian conservatory or bandstand style area in the middle of the restaurant. Lovely decorative details such as a chandelier made of wine glasses and plenty of plants around really added to a homely atmosphere.
The menu changes with the seasons and favours locally sourced produce. I had a delicious Cornish crab and avocado tian for starters and my guest enjoyed a Parma ham with fresh figs and whipped goats cheese on a bed of salad. For main course I order a traditional country dish, a meaty treat of delisour pink filet of lambย served with chunky chips and greens. My guest went for the Scottish sustainably sourced seared salmon filet which was very tasty too.
After dinner we headed for a nightcap at the gorgeous Huntley Bar & Library. It was busy withย hotel guest, and surprisingly quiet with the wedding party still in full swing at the grand ballroom next to the bar.
When it comes to food and drink, our business guests are well catered for too. If you are hosting a meeting or conference then your delegates will find a restaurant and bar in both the Mews and the Waterhouse buildings. And for quality coffee and pastries on the go, it’s worth a short stroll to the artisan coffee shop, The Pantry.
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- Junior Suite
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- View from the Manor House
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- Bees at work
Rooms and suites
The bedrooms and suites are styled to suit the traditional manor house but have been refurbished to a high standard to impress the modern guest. The sleek and contemporary bathrooms add to the comfort of your stay, we had a bath with a shower above it in our Junior Suite. Some rooms come with a shower only. The first floor rooms and suites have wonderfully high ceilings and large windows facing the most stunning views of the meadows and the river running at the bottom of the valley. The bed was super comfortable and the room very quiet despite there being a wedding in full swing that evening.
Events and meetings spaces at De Vere Latimer estate
The newly refurbished Waterhouse suite combines modern style with neutral tones to create a space that you can really make your own. Hosting up to 240 guests, it is ideal for larger events. Over at The Mews, the bright and bold Minden & Crecy Suites are great for smaller meetings and can be used separately or combined to host up to 120 guests. Or, if heritage and sophistication is called for, consider the Mansion House, where youโll find the sumptuous Cavendish Suite, wood-panelled boardrooms and inspirational, historic spaces.
Each space offers intuitive, smart technology –ย including superfast Wi-Fi up to 100m from the hotel –ย and an experienced team to help. And for nutritious food and drinks visit our artisan coffee shop, Theย Pantry.
De Vere hotels in the UK are in great locations
De Vere offers unique and inspiring settings in great locations; from intimate meetings in wood-panelled boardrooms to motivational training venues to grand events in central London.
All De Vere country estate hotels offer flexible event spaces and provide a unique blend of historic charm with the very latest technology that can be tailored to your exact requirements. The dramatic gardens and outdoor spaces at Latimer Estate serve as invigorating backdrops for breakouts and thinking time, as well as opportunities for memorable teambuilding events. See it all for yourself with the virtual experienceย tours.
De Vere loyalty scheme for meetings and events bookers
De Vere have created Showtime, a loyalty scheme that rewards and shows their appreciation for their customers. Itโs a lovely way to say thank you for your conference, training and corporate events business.
Showtime is as simple as it is rewarding. Thereโs no minimum spend, you get your benefits automatically, and it applies to De Vereย hotels across the UK, where youโll have access to our new meetings & events service,ย Smart Space.
With our dedicated portal, you can check your balance and start treating yourself straight away with our luxury redemption partners or make a donation toย charity.
When you join, youโll also be automatically enrolled ontoย Applause, the loyalty club for hotel guests, with perks including 10% off*, rising to 15% after your fifth stay*. Youโll also get 10% off your food bill when you eat in a De Vere restaurant.*
*10% food discount excludes De Vereย Tortworthย Court.
PA Life also recently reviewed De Vere Tortworth Court near Bristol.
