The Great House at Sonning – Berkshire
In his book, Three Men in a Boat, Jerome K Jerome described the village of Sonning on Thames as ‘the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river’. Still a magical place, it’s now home to this riverside boutique hotel in a former Elizabethan coaching inn. It recently reopened after a complete refurb, with a striking new look. The 49 stylish, contemporary bedrooms are split into five categories: Cosy, Relaxed, Deluxe, Riverside Deluxe and Suites. Home comforts include fresh milk and water in fridges, retro radios, cloud-like duvets and power showers. For food and drink, head to the on-trend Coppa Club restaurant, which is open-plan, with a long, curved pewter bar, wood and tiled floors, exposed brickwork and picture windows overlooking a wide terrace and lawn leading down to the river. The menu focuses on no-nonsense European food, from sharing plates and salads to grills and sourdough pizzas. Doubles from £60.
tip
Name to Know: House manager, Katherine Sage, who is an expert on Sonning and Berkshire, and knows the hotel through the years better than anyone.
See: A show at the Mill theatre.
Eat: At the Coppa Club – we recommend the mini chorizo, tortano tear and share, carbonara, seared prawns, flash steak, sea trout, cauliflower salad, sticky toffee or the butterscotch pot.
Buy: Take a ride on a boat or be adventurous and hire a canoe. This stretch of the Thames is just beautiful.
Want to find out more? Visit the hotel's website.
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