Bonjour lecteurs! I know that very often, summertime is all about going abroad. But the UK has so much to offer, with many beautiful locations for you to visit with your family. What’s your favourite county to explore? We went to Hertfordshire last week and we had a truly stunning Summer Stay at Fanhams Hall. It’s such an eclectic location in the British countryside. Regardez!
Fanhams Hall
Fanhams Hall was originally a Jacobean Manor House. The property, now turned into a hotel and wedding venue, is set among 27 acres of stunning Grade I listed grounds. It’s truly exquisite with its original features and décor.
But it’s so much more than this. A short distance from all the major routes into London, Stansted, M1 and M25, Fanhams Hall is a beautiful mix where old traditions meet les touches modernes with taste.
It’s not often you step into a location with a medieval hall, a Jacobean mansion and a Japanese tea house as well as modern conference facilities!
L’Arrivée
As we drove up the alley, we could see the modern restaurant by a small pond.
But once parked up, we realised how big the place was with beautiful gardens.
As we stepped under the arched entrance and discovered the Jacobean Manor House, it was like being in an episode of Downton Abbey…
Fanhams Hall makes a beautiful location to stay. The 4 Star Country Hotel has it all to please.
Our Family Room
We were quick to check in our family room made of 2 double beds and an ensuite bathroom. While our chambre was plus moderne compared to the entrance in the main house, it was clean and spacious.
The boys loved how ample it was while I dreamed, looking at the view. It’s a strange mix at first, but it actually works.
Stanley enjoyed some cookies while I was keen to explore further!
L’Atmosphère
I had a glimpse at some rooms from the main Jacobean manor house and I wanted to see more.
From the Great Hall to the Karaoke Klub, the beautiful Jacobean mansion has so many spaces to wander and dream.
It’s quite an exceptional space. I recommend you grab a glass of wine and sit in one of the deckchairs outside while enjoying the views.
The mansion is something out of a book. They could have filmed Narnia or something similaire there.
Think original features such as the fireplaces, the wood panelling and many artifacts and paintings that are here to remind you how much history Fanhams Hal has.
Gardens & Grounds
You see, la beauté of Fanhams Hall resides in its variété of décors and periods. One moment, you are in a medieval hall and next, you find yourself wandering around a stunning Japenese Garden!
First, I had a stroll around the main house. It was a sunny day and people where enjoying some drinks on the tables outside. It was so pretty with the light of the sunset.
Or you can relax by the restaurant. I loved walking around the first section of the gardens. It was truly stunning to see the house among the flowers, right by the fountaine.
But I also liked seating on a bench by the main entrance, in the shade with a good book.
The Japanese Garden
The true jewel of Fanhams Hall? Its Japanese Garden. As you go further down, you get to discover a wisteria walk that leads you to a bridge and the Japanese Tea House. This is quite something!
Here I was, dreaming of a scene from Downton Abbey or Bridgerton in the sunshine… When suddenly, I got transported to Japan.
There is even a Mount Fuji, built with the earth from the grounds. You can walk to the top of it and see the whole place from a different angle.
Even better, we were in for a romantic escape as the ducks were giving us a show right under our eyes. The truth? They fell in love with Grumpy Boyfriend and followed him around, nicely queuing up s’il-vous-plaît!
Walk further among Fanhams Hall meadow and you are in for more discoveries with an Austrian House.
While the original house can be traced back from the 15th century, a local businessman bought it and passed it on to his daughter. The clever lady made it what it is today with the construction of the Japanese Tea House and Gardens in the early 20th century.
Summer Movie Nights
Either way, it’s truly a stunning place with so much history. What started as a farm house in medieval times is now a stunning property that you can explore.
The hotel offers summer garden tours with afternoon tea. So if this is your cup of tea (littéralement), you need to stop by.
But you can also book some seats to its series of summer outdoor cinema nights. Bring a picnic with you or order a pizza and some popcorn on site et voilà! It makes such a beautiful summer night.
As we were there, they showed the last Bridget Jones movie, so I grabbed a seat and enjoyed the fun film under the stars. Now, this is what I call a beautiful evening.
What To Do With Children
But Fanhams Hall is also less than an hour drive to the fameux Harry Potter Studio Tours.
We fancied something else, so we went to The Hertfordshire Zoo instead.
It was such a fun day out! Book now a Fanhams Hall Roar & Snore package.
Your stay will include tickets to the zoo. It’s a great offer as our tickets were about £90 for the three of us.
Have you ever been there? Stanley absolutely LOVED it. It’s such a big zoo and there is even a section dedicated to dinosaurs and a mini water park.
Au programme, we saw snakes, lions, 1 capibara, tortoises, all sorts of birds, zebras and the list goes on!
There is really so much to do and see.
The zoo offers many talks around the day, so you get to learn so much and you end up seeing quite a lot actually.
It’s colourful, it’s fun and the play area was also a big hit with Stanley.
Fanhams Hall – Le Verdict
Our Summer Stay at Fanhams Hall was so magique! I truly fell in love with the main house and the grounds.
It’s such a stunning location where les touches modernes mix very well with the historical features. It makes a beautiful wedding venue, but also a fun family stay.
The Jacobean Manor House is quite something. Actually, I want a house like this. Something half this size will do. I mean look, I already made myself at home and I quite fancy a daily walk in the Japanese Garden too…
Our room was fabulous and we loved exploring the beautiful grounds. In between the historical parts and the more exotic touches, it still remains a quintessentially British family stay in my opinion.
Fanhams Hall is a beautiful country hotel for you and your family to have fun in Hertfordshire. I can’t imagine what it is like in Autumn with all the colours in the trees. Make it your next adventures in the coming weeks.
Prices at Fanhams Hall start from £108 for a double room.
Collaboration: We received a complimentary stay and paid for our zoo tickets.
