The Weekenders - Search for weekend getaways around the UK.

The Manor - Datchet

3|2|1

Chic Thames-side bolthole

It might only be a few miles outside London, but Windsor is a brilliant place for a weekend away from it all. While for those looking for even more of an escape, the neighbouring village of Datchet, within easy strolling distance of the centre of Windsor, but away from all the crowds, is an even more attractive option. Sitting right on the banks of the Thames, pretty and historic Datchet is famous as the secret meeting place for Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson. They would meet at the riverside Pavilion Club, but for today’s romantic (whether illicit or otherwise) couples, there is an even better option.


The Manor has been a popular hotel for visitors to Datchet for over 300 years. But its modern incarnation is very much of the moment - chic and stylish interior design blends seemlessly with the elegance of days gone by. Downstairs, warm and chocolatey reception rooms, including a gorgeous library, with its roaring fire, leather sofas and packed book shelves, scream “just chill out!” at you, while the hotel’s Black Olive Restaurant and Bar offers mouthwatering British dishes in a cosy and rustic dining room.

But it’s the bedrooms at The Manor that are the star of the show - individually designed with gorgeous colour schemes, wallpapers, rich fabrics and accessories worthy of an interiors magazine spread. While some have rolltop baths in the room, others have huge antique beds. All have great power showers, flat screen tellies, down duvets and pillows and lots of little luxurious touches to make you feel special.

Where is it?

Datchet is just fifteen minutes’ walk along the Thames to Windsor, with stunning views of Windsor Castle en-route. Datchet itself is a lovely place to come back to at the end of a day’s pottering, but isn’t the best place to while a weekend away (unless you have no intention of getting out of bed...). Windsor and neighbouring Eton, on the other hand, are perfect for a couple of days’ exploring.

You’ll be hard pressed to ignore Windsor’s star attraction as it looms over the town, and can be spotted for miles around. The famous silhouette of Windsor Castle (www.royal.gov.uk Tel: 01753 831118) is ingrained on most British brains, but it’s just as iconic inside. The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world (it was started in 1070), covers 26 acres and includes a royal palace, the stunning St George’s Chapel and a whole village of cottages and mews for the people who work there. The castle is also home to the huge and amazingly detailed Queen Mary’s Dollshouse, the most famous dollshouse in the world. The main attractions are the uber-grand State Apartments, which will impress even the staunchest Republican, although these are obviously shut when the Queen is in residence. The rest of the town certainly revolves around its royal patronage. Every other day at 11am (except Sundays), the changing of the guard sees a full-blown parade through town from the barracks to the castle - band, bearskins and all. It’s all very stirring.

For something a bit less noisy, but no less royal, venture into the enormous Windsor Great Park, 5000 acres of parkland, farmland, gardens and deer grazing, which stretches for miles in all directions. The Long Walk, an impressively straight mile’s-worth of driveway stretches from the gates of the castle to the Copper Horse - a huge statue of George III on horseback and a bit of a local landmark. It’s perfect for a weekend stroll, or you could do it the royal way on a horse-drawn Hackney carriage. Orchard Poyle (www.orchardpoyle.co.uk Tel: 01784 435983) offers tours around the park in either a covered omnibus, or a gorgeous charabanc. And if horses are your thing, you could always drive right through the park to Ascot and its famous racecourse (www.ascot.co.uk Tel: 0870 727 1234), 6 miles from Windsor. Log on to the website for a full fixtures list.

Back in town, there’s some great shopping, including an elegant mall of boutiques where Windsor’s royal railway station used to be. The town has undergone a real facelift over the last few years and has become a very stylish place to hang out. Of course, the tourists are still there in their droves, but there’s more than enough space for everyone. For a great way to escape, head for the river. In the summer, the picturesque riverbank is full of promenaders and swans, but it’s easy to get on the water and away from it all. French Brothers (www.boat-trips.co.uk Tel: 01753 851900) run various trips on the Thames, including a round-trip downstream to Runnymede, home of the Magna Carta, or upstream to pretty Boveney Lock. If you prefer to do-it-yourself, you can hire a rowing boat, electric launch or canoe from Semaphore Boat Hire (www.semaphoreboathire.co.uk Tel: 0800 0122 329) and explore the beautiful river a la mole and ratty.

Across the bustling Windsor and Eton Bridge from Sir Christopher Wren’s House (now a hotel) on the Thames’ south bank, is Windsor’s neighbouring town of Eton and its world-famous college. The windy high street flanked with ancient pubs, antiques emporiums and shops selling the historic (and slightly Hogwartsian) Eton uniforms, is a lovely place to wander aimlessly, stopping for a pint or two en-route. The Crown & Cushion (Tel: 01753 861531) has been a pub since 1750 and is a good place for a sit down and some CAMRA-approved ale action. The college itself (www.etoncollege.com) is open to have a look around during the school holidays, although the town is as much a part of school life as the college grounds themselves.

Of course, as in all touristically-magnetic destinations, there are countless walking tours and bus tours around Windsor, Eton and the countryside that surrounds them (including Datchet). For an itinerary prepared just for you, Windsor Tourist Guides (www.windsortouristguides.co.uk Tel: 01753 850580) offer a refreshingly bespoke approach.

Where can I eat?

The Black Olive at The Manor is a no-brainer of an eating option. Not only is the food fresh and fantastic, but there’s nothing better than eating a great meal and enjoying a bottle (or two) of vino, safe in the knowledge that your bed is within stumbling distance.

If you’re looking for alternatives, however, there are plenty of great places to eat in the area. Bel and the Dragon (www.belandthedragon-windsor.co.uk Tel: 01753 866056), at the end of the Windsor and Eton Bridge, is set in a cosy 11th century alehouse, but has a vibrant, modern menu. Way-above-average pub grub and a fab wine list make for a relaxed and mouthwatering evening meal. For something a little more high-brow, Strok’s at Sir Christopher Wren’s House (www.sirchristopherwren.co.uk Tel: 01753 861354) offers award-winning formal dining right on the river.

Another Windsor highlight is Antony Worrall Thompson’s Windsor Grill (www.awtrestaurants.com Tel: 01753 859658), a smart bistro that serves the best steaks in town, plus great burgers and Antony’s speciality - his own roast middle white suckling pig with apple chilli jelly. Yum. Alternatively, for something a little more exotic, try Al Fassia (Tel: 01753 855370) on St Leonard’s Road - small and unassuming from the outside, but a warm and cosy Moroccan restaurant inside, with really fantastic food.

If it’s Michelin stars you’re after, the gastro mecca that’s Bray is just a 20-minute drive from Datchet (or a few miles upriver if you’re feeling adventurous) - home to The Fat Duck (www.fatduck.co.uk Tel: 01628 580 333) – perhaps the most famous restaurant in the UK. Owned by Heston Blumenthal, this 3-Michelin-Star powerhouse has been named 2007 Best Restaurant in the UK and 2007 2nd Best Restaurant in the World. Blumenthal’s uber-innovative, scientific cooking style makes for arguably the most amazing food combinations you will ever put in your mouth – the tasting menu (including, famously, snail porridge and Nitro-scrambled egg and bacon ice cream), is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Fat Duck takes bookings up to two months in advance, so you need to be quick off the mark to get that table.

For something a little less breathless (and a lot easier on the bank balance), Blumenthal has also opened The Hind’s Head in Bray (www.thehindsheadhotel.com Tel: 01628 626151) – a cut-above-the-average gastro-pub that serves brilliantly comforting British classics, alongside puddings to die for and an award-winning wine list.

Other culinary legends in the area include The Waterside Inn (www.waterside-inn.co.uk Tel: 01628 620691), Michel Roux’s 3-Michelin-star restaurant, also in Bray; Dean Timpson at The Compleat Angler (www.deantimpson.co.uk Tel: 01628 405405), 17 miles from Datchet at Marlow; and the Michelin-starred Waldo’s at beautiful Cliveden (www.clivedenhouse.co.uk Tel: 01628 668561), 8 miles from Manor House.

Top of page

Chic and stylish boutique hotel, within strolling distance of Windsor Castle.