Although we focus on the culinary and hotel scene closer to our home base of Central London – we have long heard of Cheshire’s country estate – Carden Park and were excited to receive an invitation to visit. The 1,000 acre estate is ideal for escaping into nature’s sanctuary, however there is plenty to do and see to keep city folk entertained with two championship golf courses, an award-winning spa and our favourite discovery and a true hidden gem, The Vines restaurant.
The hotel is approached via a mile-long road which truly sets the scene for your Downton Abbey-esque escape to the countryside. On the day of our visit, the beautiful gardens directly opposite the hotel entrance were milling with guests in fabulous attire in preparation to host a wedding. We checked in to the hotel and were shown to our comfortable and spacious room which had a fabulous view of the golf course and surrounding nature.
For golf enthusiasts there is a choice of two challenging championship golf courses to keep both the amateur and pro satisfied. With pristine greens in stunning surroundings, this is a golf experience to relish. Both golf courses offer their own unique challenges with the Nicklaus course leading you around the front of the Cheshire Country Estate while the Cheshire Course ends with stunning views of the Welsh hills. Each course combines an exquisite blend of heathland and woodland, and provide stunning panoramic views across the surrounding Cheshire countryside towards the Welsh border.
For those who rather escape to the countryside to relax and unwind the Spa at Carden Park is the true showstopper and boasts views over the Cheshire rolling countryside and offers an expansive multi-sensory experience of wellbeing, with numerous thermal experiences and an all-weather Bollinger champagne bar. The ornate interiors and breathtaking spa garden facilities will have you wanting to extend your stay.
Home to one of the largest spa gardens in the UK, the Spa Garden offers an array of all-weather facilities immersed in pristine natural surroundings. An extensive range of thermal features, inside and out, these include a panoramic garden sauna, fire pit, outdoor hot tubs, thermal garden pods, and an outdoor vitality pool. It's the perfect sanctuary to relax and unwind no matter the weather!
After a long day of golfing and spa treatments we worked up an appetite and were excited to visit The Vines restaurant and try Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE and Head Chef Harri Williams’ gourmet 8-course tasting menu which has the locals raving.
Although, the primary reason that guests visit Carden Park might be the reputation of its amazing spa, this reason however, may soon be bettered by The Vines. A seemingly Michelin-starred restaurant lost in a countryside setting, the food and service at this fabulous restaurant would not be out of place in Mayfair but remain hidden in the forests of leafy Cheshire.
The incredibly elegant The Vines is like a pearl hiding in an oyster and perhaps a bit out of place at the four-star Carden Park. Each dish on the menu is created with the finest locally sourced ingredients – from the Chef’s snacks through to the pudding, every bite was a sensory experience. Every dish was an epicurean delight with creatively conceive dishes however a particular stand-out was the asparagus and new potato with smoked confit egg yolk, Jerusalem artichoke, and béarnaise sauce. To compliment the menu there is an extensive wine list with pairings for each course as well as an inventive cocktail selection.
Our visit to Carden Park was the perfect stay-cation, the hotel has something for everyone... for the more athletic their are two championship golf courses, for those who wish to pamper themselves there is a world-class spa but for everyone there is the option of one of the best restaurants in all of Cheshire - a destination we are keen to return to in the near future.
Carden Park
Broxton Road
Nr Chester
Cheshire, CH3 9DQ
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