The launch of The House at Beaverbrook marks the latest part of the £90 million redevelopment of the estate formerly known as Cherkley Court. Set over 400 acres within the heart of the Surrey countryside, the 1866 property was the home of legendary press baron Lord Beaverbook and hosted what many would say is quite simply a Who’s Who of 20th-century icons, including Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor.
Designer Susie Atkinson was inspired by the glory days of the 1920s and 30s and brings each of the 18 rooms – some with their own private terraces and all with unintnerrupted views of the countryside – alive with a luxurious aesthetic that is both contemporary and classic featuring antique fabrics, furnishings and lighting alongside modern-day technology requirements such as Apple TV and Bose Bluetooth players.
Downstairs, a bright Gerhardt Richter tapestry complements the splendid sun-flooded lobby, while photographs of famous 20th century visitors along with Beaverbrook’s own possessions dot the library, morning room and cinema where many original features, such as the lustrous curves of the art deco handrails remain.
It is perhaps The Parrot bar that comes closest to the spirit of the 1920s golden age. Here, teal velvet upholstery and dusty pink walls were inspired by the listed mural that hangs behind the eye-catching brass bar. Head barman, Rafael Sanchez concocts cocktails that complement the restaurant’s cuisine including Japanese Blossom with Hakusshu whisky, Chambord, raspberries and rhubarb bitters – the perfect pre-prandial drink before settling down to chef Taiji Maruyama’s contemporary Japanese menu that uses many seasonal ingredients straight from Beaverbrook’s own country garden. Expect a wonderful selection of sashimi and nigiri along with dishes such as the den miso marinated black cod served with yuzu miso & pickled daikon.
Next up will be the opening of the Coach House spa, which will include a deli-style restaurant serving pizza and juices.
