Dhillon Group Has It All Wrapped Up This Christmas

Stoke Place

Destined to receive many compliments of the season will be Dhillon Group’s portfolio of extraordinary properties. Suffused with period charm but with a modern twist, offering fabulous fare produced using locally sourced ingredients and boasting exemplary service, Stoke Place, The Crown Inn and The Olde Bell offer the ideal setting for any Yuletide celebration, whether it’s a festive party, Christmas Day lunch or a New Year’s Eve extravaganza.

For anyone desiring seasonal style without pretension and luxury without fuss, Stoke Place more than fits the bill. Located in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, this stunningly restored 17^th century mansion is set within 26 acres of landscaped gardens designed by the legendary Capability Brown. The archetypal rural house, its considerable charms belie its location, which is only 30 minutes from the centre of London.

A visit might begin with a glass of punch or chilled Champagne served in the elegant Drawing Room, once the formal lounge of Stoke Place. Guests could then have the option of heading off to the Vyse Room, with its relaxed, stripped-back décor, for a seasonal menu featuring the best in contemporary British food.

For a more private celebration, there are seven individually designed rooms, which can seat from 14 to 200. Or for a festive event without equal, the entire house and its 29 bedrooms are available to hire.

Christmas Day lunch is a real highlight, while Stoke Place is also the perfect place in which to see in the New Year, complete with Champagne reception, five course meal and dancing.

Meanwhile The Olde Bell in Hurley provides a wonderful backdrop for an authentically traditional festive celebration. Parts of the building date back to 1135, and the open log fires and timber beams are the epitome of a quintessential English Christmas.

Overseen by the most welcoming of innkeepers, The Olde Bell functions almost like a village in itself, with the main building for individuals or smaller parties staying overnight, dinner guests and locals and the auxiliary buildings for larger gatherings.

This flexible arrangement makes the inn ideal for any type of Christmas celebration. Inside the main building the restaurant and bar are open throughout the period for lunch, dinner and drinks, while the beautifully appointed Norman Room is available for tables of up to 12. On the opposite side of the lane is an awe-inspiring 16^th century timber-framed Tithe Barn that can seat up to 120 people.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Malt House, a gorgeous Victorian building with hints of the arts and crafts style, has five individually designed reception rooms, 14 bedrooms (including 5 suites) and its own private garden, all of which can cater for between 10 and 40 guests.

No visit to the Malt House is complete without sampling the famous Roast Goose Menu. Served in the oak panelled dining room, this gourmet’s delight includes Ballontine of Foie Gras, Brandy Prune and Brioche Toast; Roast Goose with all the Trimmings; Waterloo Cheese and Home-made Oatcakes and Prune and Almond Tart with Crème Fraîche.

When it comes to foodies, the most discerning of palates will find favour with The Olde Bell’s festive menus. Lunch is served on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while a gastronomic feast on New Year’s Eve helps guests bid a fond farewell to 2009.

Those who cannot tear themselves away from the delights of The Olde Bell can stay in one of the inn’s lovely bedrooms, including the suites recently refurbished by the legendary Ilse Crawford of Soho House and Babington House fame.

The final festive port of call can be found in the historic market town of Old Amersham. Here you will find The Crown Inn with its Elizabethan half-timbered frontage and classic coach yard ringed by crooked buildings and bay windows. You can almost hear those chestnuts roasting on the open fire as the innkeeper welcomes friends, family and colleagues to soak up the atmosphere.

With its open beams and inglenook fireplace, The Back Room at The Crown is a wonderful space for gatherings of up to 40 people.

Whether it’s a company Christmas party or a traditional Christmas Day or Boxing Day lunch, the inn provides locally sourced food, served simply. Light bites are also a speciality, with favourites such as fruit cake served with Cashel Blue cheese impossible to resist.

Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day and Boxing Day lunches and a New Year’s Eve three course feast are also available.

For guests who wish to extend their stay, The Crown Inn has 37 rooms, including a number redesigned by Ilse Crawford. All the rooms vary in size but all provide the same creature comforts of decent mattresses, pure cotton sheets and Jakob’s wool blankets.

Stoke Place, Stoke Green, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4HT

The Olde Bell, High Street, Hurley, Berks, SL6 5LX

The Crown, 16 High Street, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 0DH

For information, menus and prices, please see:

www.coachinginn.co.uk and www.stokeplace.co.uk

For further information, please contact:

Caru @ Jori White PR on 020 7734 7001

caru@joriwhitepr.co.uk