I ordered drinks for my new friends overlooking the 17th,
another scene of the Goldfinger match and then bid them
farewell to go and seek out the comforts of the hotel.
Luxurious Stoke Park Hotel, Spa and Country Club has
been the backdrop and scene-setter for several classic
movies for very good reason; partly because Pinewood
Studios is just down the road but mainly because it’s such
an elegant facility. It’s one of only five golf resorts in the UK
that sports the coveted s-AA-Red-Star emblem. Claridge’s,
The Dorchester, The Ritz are in the same stable along with
Gleneagles! So it’s far from being just a pretty facade.
In spite of its Edwardian style, there are plenty of modern
facilities. The complimentary Tennis and Health Pavilion
offers a state of-the-art gym and fitness studios along with
indoor and outdoor tennis courts (six grass courts built to
Wimbledon specification). There’s a wonderful Spa to relax
in and lots of ambling walks that allow you to explore the
estate. The exquisite gardens were designed by none other
than ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton.
Food at Stoke Park is equally inspiring. There are three
dining options: the 3 AA Rosette-awarded Humphry’s
restaurant serving modern British cuisine with a twist,
the more relaxed Orangery and the Italian brasserie, San
Marco. It’s all very cosy/elegant, relaxed/refined- whatever
you want to make of it! It’s also rather convenient: only 35
minutes from London and 7 miles from London Heathrow.
Sean Connery’s famous line ‘Shaken, not stirred’ was also
first uttered in the movie, Goldfinger and in numerous
Bond films thereafter. Stoke Park didn’t have me shaken
but it certainly did stir up a longing to go there again.
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