Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">POSH PICNIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39249" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/Cliveden-House-Hotel-21-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Feel like you’ve stepped into Evelyn Waugh’s&nbsp;<em>Brideshead Revisited</em>. Head to the super-luxe&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/boat-trips/the-flotilla/" target="_blank">Cliveden House Hotel</a>&nbsp;– a stonking Italianate mansion set in 376 acres of gardens and woodland – and take a special boat trip. There are two beautiful vintage boats – one for 10 guests, the other for four – and you can add a posh picnic lunch, afternoon tea or Champagne to scoff or quaff as you a potter down to Henley. It doesn’t get better than this… unless you can snaffle an overnight stay and keep the boat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DAY AT THE RACES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1.png" alt="Ascot Racecourse Spring Family Race Day wicker hits" class="wp-image-41302" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Ascot-Racecourse-Spring-Family-Race-Day-1-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Get dressed up and gallop to Ascot Racecourse for the <a href="https://www.ascot.com/horse-races-and-events/spring-family-raceday/spring-family-raceday-sunday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Spring Family Race Day (opens in a new tab)">Spring Family Race Day</a> (27 Mar) It&#8217;s fun for all the family, with fine food and fizz on tap for the frown up and loads of activities for kids to get involved in. This falls into the category of &#8216;winning&#8217;. Top tips: wear comfortable shoes and book at table at the Parade Ring Restaurant for a special meal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HIGH BROW HERITAGE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208.jpg" alt="Basildon Park National Trist cream stone mansion house seen in film Pride and Prejudice" class="wp-image-14447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/03/Basildon-ParkNT_Fotor-e1561363812208-720x479.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Basildon Park has period drama in spades and not just because it has starred in&nbsp;<em>Pride and Prejudice</em>,&nbsp;<em>The Duchess</em>,&nbsp;<em>Marie-Antoinette</em>,&nbsp;<em>Dorian Grey</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Downton Abbey</em>. The views are jaw-dropping, the house is small-scale grand, and the gardens and grounds perfectly reflect each season. There’s an informality to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Basildon Park (opens in a new tab)">Basildon Park</a>&nbsp;that I absolutely love. Head inside and hunt down the beautiful shell collection, there&#8217;s an early Wedgewood wine cooler and you can play spot the rooms that appeared on the big screen. A cream tea in the café is obviously a must.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DINE WITH HESTON </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="686" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/The-Hinds-Head-Bray-Vicars-Room-Private-dining-room-e1648046081454.jpeg" alt="The Hind's Head Bray Vicars-Room Private dining room" class="wp-image-42256" /></figure>



<p>The chances of getting a table at Heston Blumenthal&#8217;s three star thriller The fat Duck pretty much slim to none. Instead, totter a few metres down the road to his one Michelin Star gastropub <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Hind's Head (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/hestons-hinds-head-bray/" target="_blank">The Hind&#8217;s Head</a>. Head chef Pete Gray&nbsp;flicks through the history books to find unfashionable dishes and brings them back with pizzazz. The eclectic decor reflects its royal and religious past, especially in the Royal Lounge where pre-lunch/dinner cocktails are a must and The Vicar&#8217;s Room (above) – the very dramatic private dining room There’s seating for up to 20 guests and sumptuous set menus – no death by parma ham-wrapped chicken here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FIVE STAR FACIAL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial.jpg" alt="Gold facial" class="wp-image-42257" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Gold-facial-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Luxury that slaps you in the face. Not literally, but a 23 carat liquid gold and caviar facial sounds pretty fabulous to me. The treatment features the highly acclaimed &#8216;Liquid Gold&#8217; argan oil gold (not actual gold) plus caviar and pearl that leaves your skin smooth and glowy. This slice of heaven is available at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fairmont Windsor Park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.fairmont-windsorpark.com/fairmont-spa-wellness/" target="_blank">Fairmont Windsor Park</a>&#8216;s whopping 2,500sqm two-storey spa and wellness centre. A day loafing here is the ultimate indulgence: indoor lap pool, outdoor vitality pool, salt room, thermal suite, Hammam, Japanese foot spa, hair salon… The list is endless.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SIGNATURE SCENT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="525" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420.jpg" alt="Humos Caversham wall of essenital oils" class="wp-image-30387" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420-300x175.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420-720x420.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420-150x88.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/09/Humos-Caversham-oils-e1602238093420-768x448.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p>You don&#8217;t need to Béyonce to release your own perfume. You can make your own. And if you&#8217;re looking for a gift experience that is totally unique, deeply personal and indulgent it is this. Natural perfumer,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="HUMOS (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.humos.co.uk/fragrance-making-and-blending-perfume-experience-workshop/" target="_blank">HUMOS</a>&nbsp;is a stunning atelier on Church Street in Caversham, where you can take part in a workshop to create a scent that is personal to you – be it a perfume, scented candle or room diffuser. The process kicks up a lifetime of memories, which are then bundled into one little glass vessel which is your very own<em> This Is Your Life</em>&nbsp;fragrance. Heaven.</p>


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