Monkey Island Estate
Probably the best secret English countrysideMonkey Island Estate is just 20 minutes’ drive from London Heathrow Airport. I visited London countless times, and had only 48 hours between flights, so I wanted to find a countryside escape for a weekend visit. I arrived in London on a Saturday night and spent Sunday and Monday enjoying the UK countryside.
Monkey Island Estate is located near the town of Bray, a small village with many characters. The nearest city is the popular Windsor, a 20-minute drive from Bray, and drives to the famous Windsor Castle, the Queen’s official home. The hotel is located on the island of the Thames and is accessible via a pedestrian bridge. Despite being very close to the airport, real estate feels like a world away from London’s hustle and bustle. This will provide the perfect weekend escape from the city and a short stopover for those who prefer the country to the city’s lifestyle.
A rich history
Monkey Island Estate has an impressive history that dates back to centuries. It has long been a home away from home for aristocrats, artists and writers. Now it is one of the newest luxury hotels in the countryside.
In 1723, the Duke of Marlborough asked for the property to be a fishing hideaway. This long line of history has ensured that the property will become a listed heritage. Heritage status has many responsibility to maintain the history of the property, resulting in a beautiful recovery of the property.
The estate is located on seven acres of the island of the Thames. There are a total of 27 rooms, and the respected property is the Wedgwood Suite. Guests also have access to a small private lounge near the room, which stocks fresh, homemade cookies and coffee every day (not many people know about this, so please visit!)
Floating Spa on the Thames
Perhaps the highlight of my stay was a visit to the hotel’s floating spa. Located on a houseboat on the Thames, the floating spa is one of the most unique spas I have visited. The facial I had was very relaxed and perfect for fighting jet lags. Treatments include a welcome refresh and herbal tea at the end of the visit. I can’t recommend this enough!
Floating on the Thames
Late Sunday afternoon, I headed to the houseboat for an evening cruise along the river. It was about 45 minutes and was a great way to see some of the houses along the river. I also found an old Bray Film Studios. This is where the Spice Girls recorded their music videos in the 90s! The cruise includes bubbles and bottles of snacks from the area.
