The von Essen Collection

Cliveden One of England's most auspicious and aristocratic country houses originally built by the second Duke of Buckingham in 1666, Cliveden has played host to almost every British monarch since George I

Royal Crescent Hotel After a serious refurbishment, the restaurant in the grey-stone Dower House at the back of the hotel has taken on a new identity - although the views over the leafy gardens are unchanged

The Greenway A favourite stopover for the late Queen Mother during Cheltenham Gold Cup week

From seductively intimate to grand and gracious, the von Essen Collection showcases some of the finest country hotels in the UK. The emphasis is on stunning historic properties with a gold-standard pedigree, fine architecture, adult comforts and superb facilities (ranging from spas to equestrian centres).

The list is a dream, from the iconic splendour of Cliveden in Berkshire to the legendary Lakeland gem that is Sharrow Bay. All have prestigious restaurants dealing in finely honed contemporary cuisine plus wine lists that lead one to tread the path between gratuitous indulgence and self denial; several von Essen restaurants have also acquired the services of big-name Michelin-starred chefs.

Seaham hall A country house gem, just 20 minutes' drive from Newcastle, Seaham Hall now ranks as the top small luxury hotel in the north-east

Homewood Park The mansion stands in ten acres of prizewinning gardens and grounds south of Bath, and it remains one of the loveliest country house hotels in the West Country

Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel A legend! Founded in 1948 and lovingly nurtured by the late Frances Coulson and Brian Sack, it became known as Britain's first and archetypal 'country house hotel'