The next time you go to London and feel jaded enough and are wont to do something new, head northwards. To the serene countryside of Northampthonshire. Driving in through the wrought iron-gates of the 500 years old Fawsley Hall Hotel, just an hour and a half away, you are bound to sigh with relief and go, Hmm �. far away from the maddening world.

Everyone talks about the great English country side and hopes and dreams someday of being able to take time off and relax somewhere nice and quiet. Well, I can assure you there can be none better than Fawsley. It�s country and luxury and warm and friendly. And not large and impersonal as the number of guest-rooms go, but huge as in the property that surrounds it. Imagine a grand Tudor (largely) manor with just 43 rooms standing royally in the middle of 2000 (yes two thousand) acres of parkland and gardens, abundantly green and picturesque with five lakes complete, one natural and four manmade. All yours to explore, go for long private walks, on picnics for two, sitting by the waterside sipping champagne thoughtfully provided by the hotel, or throwing pebbles in the lake, chewing grass or doing something equally meditative.

This stately hotel is steeped in history and follows the fortunes of one family, The Knightleys, over five centuries from the reign of Henry VIII to the early part of the 20th century.

The first house on the Fawsley estate was built in the early 15th century. Like all family houses Fawsley Hall evolved over a period of time, each successive generation making changes, re-arranging things, adding on. But unlike average families, the Knightleys were for over five centuries one of the most influential and affluent families in the country and that status and wealth is reflected in Fawsley Hall today, which also represents a little bit of English history and architectural trends. Which means you can choose to sleep in well-appointed suites or rooms from the Tudor, Georgian, Victorian or 20th century period!

Yes Fawsley is appealing. Perhaps much of its character and atmosphere is lent to it by the small group of charming people who own and run the place. It has a warm ambience, an aura about it. And thankfully nothing of the British stiffness is present to intimidate you. You could easily lounge around within the Manor in a colourful Hawaiian shirt, or read a book sunk deep and snug in it�s fine tapestried antique sofas, with your feet propped up � somewhere. Yes, a nice and easy informality seems to be prevalent.

I had the good fortune of meeting two of the owners, both English and both absolutely passion-driven, rather Fawsley-driven. You can see there is labour of love here.

The Manor due to neglect had become so decrepit it was completely written off and pictures of Fawsley were used in an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London to illustrate �The decline of the English-country House�. In 1975 Mr. & Mrs. E Saunders bought the place and renovations began. The Manor has pain-stakingly been restored and the effort culminated in the opening of a new luxury country house hotel as recently as 1998. Simon Lowe is the man who heads the group, a hotelier and entrepreneur, Simon is hands-on and you find him walking around keeping an eagle eye on the goings on. The time I was there he was busy interviewing and sampling food cooked by prospective chefs-to-be.

I was glad to see that a great deal of emphasis is laid on gastronomy. Sensible, for the shortest route to most peoples hearts is via their stomachs. The food is English with French influence. The famous Nico Ladenis had set up their kitchen when the hotel opened up. The chefs now create a daily changing menu reflecting seasonal produce. Herbs and vegetables are grown in the kitchen garden and wherever possible locally produced ingredients including lamb, cheeses, vegetables are used. To compliment the menus an extensive wine list including the unique selection of �affordable excess� wines is offered.

This fabulous �mini list� of over 25 fine wines is discounted by up to 50 per cent. Prices ensure diners and wine enthusiasts can indulge in good wines at affordable prices.

You may indulge in your senses either at Knightleys Restaurant which is the fine dining area or the TJ�s Caf� & the Old Laundry Bar where they serve breakfast, lunch and light meals throughout the day. My lunch of wild mushrooms on toast, Caesar�s Salad, and Mussels Marinier was to die for.

Originally built as a Tudor Brew House, TJ�s Caf� & The Old Laundry Bar has always been at the heart of the household at Fawsley. Used at various times as a dairy, stable and still-room, it was here that servants and family came to work, gossip and catch up with the daily events of the house. Now cavernous Tudor fireplaces crackle to life in the winter months and historial oak beams provide a backdrop for a successful fusion of design between contemporary fabrics and textures with a more traditional English style. Light is amply provided during the day by a conservatory featuring a stunning vaulted ceiling, which leads out to the original slated courtyard. This area is often used for all al fresco dining in summer months.

So what else do you do when here, apart from eat, drink, laze and sigh and generally indulge in the good life. Well, if you are the energetic kind, you walk and run (it would take you half your lifetime to do 2000 acres) play tennis and if you are the restless kind, you explore.

There is Althorp House, Princess Diana�s home and now resting place, also the ancestral homes of George Washington (Sulgrave Manor) a short drive away. There is Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare�s hometown, historic Oxford and the Warwick Castle all in the vicinity. There is also easy access to horse racing at Towcester and motor racing at the Silverstone Race Track.

If you are a shopaholic you go to Bicester which houses all the known stores and where you will find great bargains at huge discounts.

Or if you are the marrying kind you get married. Yes, a stone�s throw away from the Manor is a beautiful old 14th century ironstone church and a lot of weddings take place here. But to marry at the Fawsley church you have to be a local which means you have to be born in the area. But if you aren�t, don�t lose heart, the hotel arranges a registrar, and also takes complete responsibility to organise a magical marriage for you if you so desire. Happily I discovered people come from as far away as Australia to have an exclusive wedding here.

Not surprising, the grounds lend themselves superbly. With its Topiary, yew hedges, lavender bushes and its piece de resistance, the grand Lebanese cedar with its 34 feet diameter trunk and vast canopy is simply so romantic. I almost visualised my favourite writer Kahlil Gibran sitting under it talking to the wind, penning The Prophet.

�Give your hearts but not into each others keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each others shadow.�

Ah, I am entrapped by the beguiling charms of Fawsley and was loath to leave the place at the end of the day I spent there. When driving through the wrought iron gates once again I wriggled around in the seat of the fancy car my companion was driving to turn and look one last time at Fawsley Hall. Someone had once told me, if you look back at a place you wish to revisit, you do.

Fawsley Hall Hotel, Fawsley,
Near Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 3BA.
Telephone: 44-1327 89 2000. Facsimile: 44-1327 89 2001.
Website: www.fawsleyhall.com