Outside the Cliveden House, a stone terrace leads to a 1,000-yard parterre and the estate’s 376 acres of formal gardens and parklands. The Water Garden, the centerpiece of which is a pagoda built for the 1867 Paris Exhibition, is a splendid setting for afternoon tea. Accommodations Thirty-nine guest rooms and suites filled with antique furnishings and original artworks. Recreation Cruising the Thames on vintage launches, playing tennis and squash, and relaxing at the Pavilion Spa. Golf, fishing, and archery can be pursued in the surrounding countryside. Dining Contemporary cuisine with Mediterranean influences at Waldo’s and private meals in the French Dining Room, reported to house the finest rococo decor outside of France. Worthy Diversion Cruise down the Thames in Lady Astor’s electric canoe to the nearby village of Bray for lunch or a lager in one of the pubs. Rates From $675 to $3,300. target=_blank>www.clivedenhouse.co.uk
