Fall in love again at Dewsall
Hands up who loves weekend-long get togethers and cosy dinner parties? We’re not saying that we don’t like going out, by any means, but sometimes all we really want is to spend our afternoons with a good book and evenings with people we actually care about. We want evenings catching up with our oldest friends instead of having to make small talk with randomers at the bar, and mornings giggling together over home baked croissants rather than grabbing a burger from a questionable van at 4am.
It’s often more than enough just to be surrounded by your favourite people, but let’s be honest, there are moments when you catch yourself glancing around your slightly pokey, could-do-with-a-bit-of-a-paint-job apartment in a dreary Clapham Junction wishing the house in which the house party is happening could be as great as the people attending. You know, taller ceilings, decades of arts and antiques and a never-ending supply of logs for a roaring fire wouldn’t go amiss.
Imagine our excitement then when we learned that this scenario doesn’t have to remain forever banished to our ‘ideas for things we’d love to do if and when we’re millionaires’ box! In the heart of Herefordshire lies a country estate called Dewsall Court, a quintessentially English retreat that’s available to hire for exclusive weekends, perfect for corporate events and weddings. It looks like laughter, pool tournaments and lazy brunches are back on the menu…
We at Your Coffee Break were invited to attend their Valentine’s Supper Club event taking place during Valentine’s Day weekend. So before the Fashion Week madness and Award season properly kicked off, we packed our bags and headed up north for a insanely romantic weekend getaway. Channeling our inner Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, we sampled a delicious 6 course dinner with fine wines and great company.
With prices starting from just £4,600 for exclusive weekend use of the house and 15 acres of grounds, Dewsall Court can sleep up to 23 people for two nights. Now we might be journalists rather than mathematicians, but we’re pretty sure that comes out at just £200 per person, which, realistically, is close to what you would have spent on food and drink for a party at home anyway! Plus, included in the price is a delicious hamper of local goodies, gorgeous house flowers, fully stocked log baskets, bathroom toiletries by Aromatherapy Associates and 24/7 access to a member of staff …now matter how good a party hostess your best friend is, she can’t be that good, right?
As a celebration house perfect for your dream wedding, each bedroom has its own beautifully British character. We know that the huge beds and feature bathrooms provide so much indulgence that you might not actually want to leave your room, but – as we found out during our stay – there’s so much more to experience in the rest of the estate too! For the exploratory members of your party there’s a wide range of adventures to embark up: guided walks, foraging, shooting, or even horse trekking and hot air ballooning! After all that physical activity you’ll be hungry and tired, which is why Dewsall are happy to provide a fabulous in-house chef who can introduce you to local produce and an exclusive wine list after some serious R&R in the form of specialist massages and treatments too.
As we sat savouring our full English breakfast, being warmed by the fire, we imagined how beautiful Dewsall must be in the summer too. We’re already planning our summer party in the sunken rose garden at the bottom of the croquet lawn, our beautifully dressed guests able to look out on to views of the Black Mountains and the willow-fringed lake!
We loved the incredible mix of luxurious grandeur and home comforts as Dewsall; it felt like the perfect combination of a bit of extravagance for a special celebration, with all the warmth of our own homes that allowed us to feel completely relaxed.
For your chance to experience country living at its best, book a stay at Dewsall by calling 01432 276724 or by clicking on www.dewsall.com.
