Benham Park

YOUR STAY

Benham Park has the sort of entrance that makes you slow down for a moment. The original Palladian architecture is still very much part of the house, from the sweeping staircase in the Circular Hall to the tall windows and period details throughout.

Then things become a little more relaxed. The interiors have been updated with modern furnishings and the sort of comforts you expect when you're staying for several nights rather than simply visiting for an afternoon.

Ten bedrooms give everyone somewhere to retreat to. Two of the master suites have four-poster beds and private sitting areas, while all ten bedrooms have their own en-suite bathrooms.

Perhaps one morning you'll have breakfast and disappear into the Library afterwards. Another day might involve a long walk around the grounds before lunch. With so much space inside the house, you don't need to organise everyone's day around the same schedule.

Underfloor heating keeps things comfortable when the weather turns cold, while comfort cooling comes into its own during the warmer months. There's also a six-person internal lift, which makes getting around the house easier for everyone.

LIFE AROUND THE ESTATE

Step outside and you have 136 acres to explore. The grounds include open lawns, woodland and a 10-acre serpentine lake, all set within the wider Capability Brown landscape.

A morning walk is an easy way to start the day. Follow the paths around the lake, wander through the grounds and come back when you're ready for breakfast.

Later, you could set up a game of croquet or find a quiet patch of lawn for a picnic. There is enough space for children to run around while everyone else finds somewhere comfortable to sit.

The landscape changes quite noticeably through the year. Summer brings long evenings outdoors, while autumn gives the woodland a completely different character.

Of course, you might not feel like doing anything at all. Grab a coffee, find a chair outside and enjoy the fact that you have nowhere else to be.

DINING & EVENINGS

Meals at Benham Park could be as relaxed or as formal as you like. The estate has commercial kitchens designed to handle everything from family meals to larger dinners and private events.

For a smaller gathering, the Banqueting Room seats up to 26 guests. When you're bringing everyone together for a bigger occasion, the Grand Ballroom has space for up to 120 guests for dinner.

Wine and whisky have their own spaces too. Open something you've been saving, sit down with your group and let the evening take its time.

When the weather is good, move upstairs to the rooftop terrace. It gives you another place for drinks, barbecues or a late dinner outside.

Nothing needs to feel overly formal unless that's what you want. One night might be a proper dinner around a long table; the next could be drinks outside followed by something simple back at the house.

FILMS, GAMES & QUIETER MOMENTS

Once dinner is over, there are still plenty of reasons to stay up.

The private cinema is an obvious choice when everyone wants to wind down together. Pick a film, get comfortable and forget about checking the time.

For something a little more competitive, head to the games room and challenge someone to a game of billiards.

The Library offers a different pace altogether. You could spend an hour there with a book, have a quiet conversation or simply sit somewhere away from the rest of the group.

Up on the rooftop, the mood changes again. Sit outside with a drink, watch the light disappear over the countryside and see where the evening goes.

PRIVACY & SERVICE

Taking over Benham Park means the estate belongs to your group for the duration of your stay. There are no other guests coming and going, so you are free to use the house and grounds in whatever way suits you.

A dedicated team handles the practical side of things. The on-site venue manager oversees the estate, while housekeeping and night management keep everything running in the background.

For larger gatherings, the house has the facilities to make things straightforward. The commercial kitchens can support substantial dining, while the estate has private parking for more than 60 vehicles.

And although London is only around an hour away, it feels quite distant once you're here. Spend the morning walking beside the lake, have lunch back at the house and see what everyone feels like doing afterwards.

That's really the appeal of having the whole estate to yourself. You don't have to follow anyone else's timetable.