Easy escapes: 4 reasons to visit Coworth Park

Why go

Although Cowork Park, located in Ascot, was opened over a decade ago and is beloved by many for its beautiful grounds and grand building, it has most definitely not rested on its laurels. In fact, there is so much newness that here are five reasons to visit ASAP.

The food

I will get to the stunning building and rooms later, but I have to start with the food, because both of the restaurants have had a makeover and been taken over by exciting chefs. First off, you have Woven by Adam Smith. I'm not lying when I say I still think about the tasting menu months after my visit. 

It was awarded a one Michelin star just six months after opening, and offers a tapestry of familiar flavours reimagined in unexpected ways. The tasting menu, or culinary journey, begins with a selection of snacks served from the pantry including Truffle potato tart, Coronation chicken and Jellied Devon eel. Other mindblowing dishes focusing around British produce, include Cornish turbot, lobster, truffle, salted grapes and cauliflower; as well as Fallow deer, rhubarb, leeks, timut pepper, tartare tart. Desserts include Yorkshire rhubarb, vanilla, ginger, rhubarb sorbet and Adam’s Signature chocolate, sea salt, crème fraîche, cocoa nibs alongside a wide selection of British cheeses served from the pantry.

Then there are the stunning interiors, designed by Martin Hulbert Design, giving a contemporary and theatrical twist to the Georgian manor.

For a slightly more relaxed experience, head straight to The Barn. Housed in the original barn frame, the new open kitchen and grill champions seasonal ingredients, that Adam Smith uses to give his own twist on comforting British classics.  Think
Smithy’s chicken pie, alongside simple meat, fish and vegetable focused dishes, including Hereford côte de boeuf (to share); Spatchcock quail with rosemary and lemon; and a selection of day boat fish from Cornwall that can all be served either grilled or beer battered. 

The rooms

After the food, the rooms are one of the main reasons to stay here, and you will want to check out at the very last possible second. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to a place to lay your head, with grand bedrooms and suites occupying the mansion house, which epitomise Georgian grandeur without being stuffy.

All rooms can be described as luxe classics fused with modern fixtures; think Bang and Olufsen TV's, signature copper roll-top baths, the fluffiest of towels and pillow sprays to ensure the heartiest of sleeps.

If you'd like to push the boat out, invest in a suite. I stayed in the Mansion House Premium Suite, which offered sweeping views of the 240-acre grounds, which include a sunken garden and wildflower meadow. It is a true sanctuary which perfectly marries rural charm with a contemporary twist, and features a walk-in wardrobe, huge marble bathroom, bedroom and separate living space. I especially love the equestrian art, a nod to Coworth's rich history with horses: you can horse ride, croquet and polo on the professional polo grounds.

The spa

If you can bear to leave your room, then the spa is well worth the visit, even if you're only doing a day trip. It has recently welcomed sound therapy treatments by organic luxury seaweed skincare ishga. The experiences aim to harness the power of sound, translating this into a range of therapeutic sound treatments to accompany ishga’s award-winning products. The new menu is in partnership with Swell, whose unique approach to therapeutic sound was founded by international DJ and music psychology specialist Brian d’Souza, using a combination of Sound Therapy, Music Composition and Biophillia to ensure ishga Sound Treatments capture the essence of the ocean and its home in the Hebrides. 

The 90-minute treatment is designed to work in harmony with the music as it takes the guest on a journey to the Hebrides. It begins with a seaweed foot bath, followed by the chimes of the Singing Bowl that will lead into a Balinese inspired massage, finishing with a warm oil pouring onto the scalp and a relaxing head massage, and concludes with a calming awakening at the end from the music of the Singing Bowl. 

Elsewhere in the spa, you can enjoy massages, facials and body treatments as well as manicures and pedicures, but the real highlight is the indoor pool that's lined with 15 Amethyst crystals that lend an air of tranquillity to the space. It's flanked by a steam room and sauna, in case you need that extra little bit of R&R.

The grounds

Did I mention that the Ascot property is nestled within 240 acres of beautiful nature? This includes a sunken garden, wildflower meadow, a lake, a professional polo ground, tennis courts and much, much more. You can even head to the stables to hire a horse to explore the grounds on.

How to book

Rooms start at £455 in low season and £675 in high season. Book here.