Craving the Cotswolds but Don't Have the Time? Try this Countryside Escape Closer to London

Don’t have time to visit the Cotswolds but craving a countryside escape closer to London? Cliveden House is the place. It couldn’t have been a nicer day on my site visit — London’s first 20+ degree (70°F) day of spring, with not a cloud in the sky.

I took a quick 35-minute train from Paddington Station on the Elizabeth Line to Taplow, which was so easy! We grabbed a quick 10-minute taxi from there and drove through the beautiful grounds filled with walking trails — I need to come back here with my dog!

The lobby. Photo by @theoneshotwander

You arrive at a gorgeous mansion with a beautiful clock tower that slightly resembles Big Ben, making you feel like you’re stepping into British royalty. The lobby is incredibly detailed, with so many historical artifacts you don’t know where to look. There’s knights’ armor, old portraits of aristocrats, wooden furnishings and red velvet furniture. The house has a colorful past full of scandal and notable guests.

photo by @theoneshotwander

A few highlights:

• The original house was built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham (as a gift for his mistress), and the current house was rebuilt in the 1850s after a fire. In total, there have been three major fires, one of which was spotted by Queen Victoria from nearby Windsor Castle.

• Scandal? It’s in the foundation. Most famously, it was the site of the Profumo Affair in the 1960s — a political scandal involving a British government minister and a model who was also linked to a Soviet spy.

• In more recent history, Meghan Markle stayed at Cliveden the night before her wedding to Prince Harry.

Now for the tour. We saw three different room categories, each with stunning views of either the countryside or the gardens. The rooms were incredibly spacious and full of character — canopy beds, velvet furniture and gold finishes made it feel like a stay in a palace.

photo by @theoneshotwander

photo by @theoneshotwander

We toured the dining room and library, both styled with elegant British decor. The restaurant had an elegant pub-style charm. Finally, my favorite part — the spa. The entrance is through the tower, which isn’t just decorative — it’s actually a water tower built after the third fire. As you pass through the spa, you arrive at an outdoor oasis you’d never expect to be so close to London, complete with lounge chairs and a heated outdoor pool that’s open year-round. The ultimate serenity. (Fun fact: The Beatles filmed part of their “Help!” movie here!)

Clivedon Spa, the setting of The Beatles' famous "Help" music video. Photo taken by @theoneshotwander

Behind the house, you’ll find vast gardens that evoke Versailles. We were treated to an amazing afternoon tea with champagne, including a delicious variety of tea sandwiches, canapés, cakes — and possibly the best scone I’ve ever had in England. Joanna, the business development director who graciously hosted us, gave us a thoughtful souvenir: The Mistresses of Cliveden book, so we could read all about the historic scandals that took place there.

Photo by @theoneshotwander

Boat ride on the Thames with Clivedon in the distance. Photo by @theoneshotwander

We ended a gorgeous day with a 45-minute boat ride on the Thames. As you float back upriver, you’re treated to the most iconic view — Cliveden House perched on the hill in the distance. A perfect, quintessentially British day.

Boat rides on the Thames by @theoneshotwander

To get there, take the Elizabeth line west towards Reading from Paddington Station and stop at Taplow–only 35-minutes. No need to book a ticket in advance, you can tap in/out with your contactless credit card.

I recommend booking your taxi in advance for pickup in Taplow – we used Burnham Cars and they were great – affordable and prompt.

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