Birch Cheshunt
Lieutenant Ellis Way
Cheshunt
UK
EN7 5HW
What's the draw?
Much like the rich and famous escape NYC for the Hamptons, you too can hop on the M25 from London to Cheshunt for a country retreat at Birch. Housed in an almighty Georgian mansion set in an imposing 55 acres of land, Birch is a 140-room hotel and members club. Having recently undergone a radical makeover, it's complete with a bakery, co-working space, craft classes, wellness centre and top-notch restaurant – The Zebra Riding Club.
The decor is unusual for a Georgian manor house – a heady combination of Downton Abbey chintz meets industrial Hackney Cafe with bright murals, exposed plasterwork and mosaic flooring. Bedrooms have large bay windows, Ercol-style furniture and dusty pastel walls, intentionally omitting TVs and desks for the ultimate relaxation experience. In contrast, the Hub (the co-working space) is full of screens, kitted out with ample plugs, desks and sofas.
Simplicity, sustainability and community are at the fore here, and the prices are in keeping. Whether your motivation is wellness, good food, crafting, or frolicking through nature, a trip to Birch is the ultimate city escape.
What to eat?
An unmistakable highlight of Birch is its restaurant, the Zebra riding club, which is housed in the old stables. The space is vast yet cosy, and the decor is synonymous with a jam-jar wedding, filled with exposed beams, rattan chairs and shaker cabinets.
The food here is earthy, comforting and delicious, conjured up by Irish-born chef Robin Gill, who trained at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and made his name with The Dairy in Clapham. Expect to eat hearty plates of fried things, braised meats, chunky terrines and flakes pies; just don't make the mistake of walking past the sty of piglets the following day.
Visit for dinner from Wednesday to Friday, lunch on the weekends or book in for one of its monthly supper clubs. The latter is an excellent opportunity to dine socially with total strangers, although it's a gamble whether you’ll be sitting next to the couple amid marital strife.
What's nearby?
Unless hanging around in the nearby commuter town butters your bread, we recommend staying within the grounds of Birch. With a myriad of activities from breadmaking, ceramics and silversmithing to yoga, glass blowing and sound bathing, you'll be hard-pressed to find a free moment to leave during your stay. Keep an eye out on the Birch website for its calendar of upcoming events this summer, including outdoor feasts, live music and the opening of its lido.
