Cliveden House Hotel

Behind its stately facade, Cliveden House hides a checkered past. Built 350 years ago for the Duke of Buckingham's mistress and backdrop for the scandalous Profumo affair, this sprawling 48-room estate — set upon 376 National Trust-designated acres — has fostered the illustrious and illicit. It cultivates a cultured stay with antique furnishings, period artworks, four-poster beds and fireplaces; the meticulously tended grounds include a maze and the celebrated Parterre. Take a walk through the woodlands or a dip in the pool before dining in style in The Cliveden Dining Room or for a more informal experience try The Astor Grill.