Oakley Court

The place

A Victorian Gothic mansion on the banks of the Thames in Berkshire, about an hour's drive from London. Oakley Court's 117 rooms spread between the mansion and the boathouse, dressed like a private home — traditional English fabrics, mid-century furniture, one-off antiques, modern essentials.

The grounds hold a fitness centre, an indoor pool, a sauna and steam room, and two tennis courts. Contemporary Italian dishes are served through the day, on the outdoor terrace or in the cosy parlour; at The River House, seasonal menus come from guest chefs including Shimizu Akira, Mateo Zielonka and Johnnie Collins.