Set in the beautiful South Downs, Avington Estate is the ultimate country retreat, and the jewel in its crown is the stunning Stillwaters House
While the historic Avington House could rightly be referred to as a ‘stately’ home (it was here that the charismatic King Charles II sought respite from the pressures of the crown, often in the company of his mistress, Nell Gwyn), Stillwaters House, set within the 175 rolling green acres of its historic estate is more of a ‘statement’ house.
A dazzling architectural splendour honed from steel and glass, it stands in stark contrast to its Grade I listed neighbour, yet it sits beautifully within its natural surrounds, appearing almost to hunker down into the wooded land beyond, the vast expanses of glass reflecting the tranquil waters of the lake it fronts. Arriving, travel-weary, it quite takes our breath away.
Inside, the house is packed with Italian mid-century pieces – all sleek lines and warm wood, giving it an effortlessly chic vibe. At the heart of it sits an enormous dining table, perfect for lively dinners that stretch into the night. The scale here is nothing short of breath-taking, with double-height ceilings and expansive glazing, offering picturesque views of those lush surrounds, whilst bathing the interior in glorious natural light that changes in intensity and hue throughout the day. Yet, for all its grandeur, there’s a genuine warmth here that makes it feel like a proper home, not just a showpiece: think cosy loveseats that tempt you to sink in with a good book, and plush zoned living spaces, ideal for movie nights. In fact, it strikes the perfect balance between luxe elegance and homely comfort.
Sliding doors from the sumptuous snug area open onto a terrace with air hockey and football tables, and a heated pool lies beyond. To one side, a quaint bridge spans the River Itchen, providing access to the estate beyond the garden, to the other, a path leads down to a sunken seating area with firepit. A wood fired hot tub beside the lake has been stoked prior to our arrival, the steam curling temptingly into the crisp winter air.
All seven comfortable, art-adorned bedrooms here are luxuriously furnished and boast sleek en suite shower rooms. The four at the front of the house afford views of the lake through the dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, while the others are quietly tucked away at the rear, offering cosy, peaceful retreats from the hubbub of the house – there’s not a dud amongst them, and we happily divvy them out.
We convene in the kitchen after unpacking: like the rest of the house, it is expansive, and has been beautifully designed with clean lines and state-of-the-art appliances. The vast island at its centre provides a sociable spot around which to gather, and here, we pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly that has been left as part of a thoughtful welcome pack. We have also ordered cheese, charcuterie and breakfast hampers from the farm shop on the estate, and delightedly fall on them, exclaiming over the delicious goodies as we unpack. We have been well and truly spoilt.
The pace of life is slower here, and we happily shrug off the family and work stresses of everyday life, wandering the lakeside paths, borrowing bikes to explore the surrounding South Downs countryside, and taking muddy runs through the local woodland and neighbouring villages. There are paddle boards and a rowing boat available to take out on the lake, and we spend a happy afternoon messing about on the water. Some of us even brave a dip, embracing the benefits of wild swimming. We all feel lucky indeed to be here.
Intrigued to discover that the Avington Trout Fishery, which is just a short stroll downriver, is one of the country’s oldest, we decide to book in for a fly-fishing experience. Waking the morning of our lesson with fizz-fuelled hangovers and trudging through the mizzle, we momentarily regret our earlier enthusiasm. It turns out to be a fascinating morning though, spent with the brilliant Mark from Lost Lake Fly Fishing. Over
the course of a couple of laughter-filled hours we learn lots (I surely can’t be the only one who thought they were actual flies?) and, with Mark’s help, even catch two large trout (which make for a delicious meal the next day), and we come away at the end feeling ridiculously proud of ourselves.
Special mention must also go to the wonderful Chestnut Horse, in the nearby village of Easton. Owned by the Avington Estate, it is so much more than a pub, providing locals and visitors alike with the services of a sociable coffee shop and deli, a village shop stocked with local goodies and farm produce, and an exceptional restaurant. There are even four beautiful bedrooms here, adding to the Estate’s many appealing accommodation offerings that include cabins, shepherd’s huts, cottages and historic apartments in the main house.
We call in for a long, lazy lunch after our morning’s fishing, bagging a table beside the roaring log burner. The 16th century pub has recently undergone extensive renovations that mix historic charm with modern sophistication, and the vibe is rustic and welcoming. In the restaurant, head chef, Joe Hibberd has curated a menu offering a range of small plates, pub classics, sharing boards and signature dishes, all made with
locally sourced produce. Everything is heartily delicious and gloriously unpretentious, think cheesy topped shepherd’s pie; braised beef feather blade with onion, bacon and buttery mash; and wild mushroom gnocchi. We eat until we can barely move (congratulating ourselves on the decision not to ride the bikes here) and then enjoy a leisurely browse in the shop, grabbing a few more treats to take away with us.
The morning’s rain has moved on by the time evening comes, and the sky is clear. With no city lights to obscure the stars, the night sky here is astonishingly beautiful and we sit in the hot tub and gaze at it, raising a toast to our extraordinary good fortune. Though we have been friends for many years, it is rare that we all manage to get together like this, and Stillwaters House has outdone all of our expectations. Wherever we choose for our next get-together certainly has much to live up to.
