Historic Buckinghamshire Hotels: Compleat Angler, Cliveden, Hartwell

The Inn Crowd...

�Oh the brave Fisher's life, It is the best of any, 'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, And 'tis belov'd of many: Other joys Are but toys; Only this Lawful is, For our skill Breeds no ill, But content and pleasure.�

It is widely believed that Izaak Walton penned his famous work on fishing in and around the Buckinghamshire village of Marlow. And it is from this book that a small hostelry - once known as The Riverside Inn and dating back to 1640 - took its name.

Today, The Compleat Angler blends its heritage with modern comforts and fine cuisine its historical patrons would find very much to their liking. Indeed, during the early 20th century it became quite a haunt for many icons of the time. Noel Coward is said to have happily quaffed here, as did authors J. M Barrie and Edgar Wallace (the latter being buried at nearby Little Marlow). American actress Tallulah Bankhead is also known to have frequented the hotel, as did other members of the glitterati such as Dame Nellie Melba and Nancy Mitford.

In fact, The Compleat Angler has maintained its reputation as a celebrity stamping-ground. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Clint Eastwood, Omar Sharif and the late Princess Diana have all enjoyed its hospitality. Moreover, Queen Elizabeth II has even dined in its restaurant.

Cliveden
Cliveden,Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF

Luxury Then. Luxury Now.

Ask almost anyone who knows Cliveden House about its history and they�re almost certain to say �colourful�. This, it should be said, is something of an understatement for anywhere that is reputed to have played host to just about every British monarch since George I.

The present building is, in fact, the third incarnation of Cliveden. The first, built by the Second Duke of Buckingham in 1666, was damaged by fire in 1795 and again in 1845. Ownership has passed through several notable hands including The Earl of Orkney, Countesses of Orkney, Hugh Grosvenor (Duke of Westminster) and William Waldorf Astor.

Unfortunately, the news that the latter was now in possession of the property was none-too-well received by Queen Victoria - an erstwhile regular visitor - who was �grieved to think of it falling into these hands�. And yet when it passed to his son and wife Nancy in 1906, the �Golden Age� of Cliveden began.

The hectic social scene and parties at the house attracted many of the early twentieth century�s luminaries and power-brokers: Rudyard Kipling, Henry James, Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Balfour (Prime Minister), President Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill were all entertained at sumptuous parties. And George Bernard Shaw was moved to describe staying with Nancy Astor as �like Sunday with a volcano�..

It is also reputed that German Foreign Minister Joachim Von Ribbentrop visited the house in the late 1930�s at a time when �The Cliveden Set� were being labelled as appeasers of Hitler by several newspapers.

There was genuine scandal, however, in 1961 when Spring Cottage (in Cliveden�s grounds) was at the centre of the infamous Profumo Affair (Christine Keeler and Stephen Ward were staying here when it began). The cottage garden is also known to have been where Queen Victoria would seek solace and take tea with the Duchess of Sutherland following the death of Prince Albert.

Hartwell House
Oxford Road, nr Aylesbury, HP17 8NR

Exile in the Vale of Aylesbury

First mentioned in the Domesday Book and belonging to the son of William the Conqueror, Hartwell has a rich history which touches upon more than England alone.

It was here that the exiled Louis XVIII held court between 1809 and 1814, and it was within the library that he signed the constitutional document confirming his accession to the French throne. His and Queen Marie Josephine de Savoie�s presence at Hartwell is remembered with their portraits overlooking the main staircase.

It is also of historic interest to note that the existing house was originally built for the Hampden and Lee families from whom General Robert E Lee was descended.

Avoid the new... The following may not necessarily be linked to famous figures or events, but all offer accommodation in historic surroundings. Click on the links for further tariff and availability information.

Buckingham Villiers Hotel. BUCKINGHAM. Located at the heart of the town, the hotel is said to date from 1577. Expedia.co.uk | Superbreak

Bull at Gerrards Cross, The. GERRARDS CROSS. Seventeenth century former coaching inn. Expedia.co.uk | Superbreak

Crown Hotel, The. AMERSHAM Believed to date from the early 1500�s, the Crown is a genuine piece of Elizabethan architecture. Hotelbook.com

Dinton Hermit, The. Nr AYLESBURY. A traditional 15th century inn, with accommodation also available in an adjacent 200-year-old wychett barn. LateRooms

Kings Arms of Old Amersham. AMERSHAM. 14th century coaching inn. Search for ebookers.com hotels

Swan Revived, The. NEWPORT PAGNELL. 15th century town inn. Expedia.co.uk

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