The Long Room at Heckfield Place

Heckfield Place is an 18th-century country house; picturesque, memorable, resplendent. Purchased by Gerald Chan over 20 years ago, the lengthy, thoughtful and ultimately all-encompassing renovation now provides 44 guest suites, two restaurants, spa facilities and an underground cinema.

This historic and elegant Georgian house dating back to 1790 is nestled at the heart of a 438-acre eco-friendly estate with a biodynamic farm, ancient woodland and beautiful gardens originally planted by horticulturalist William Wildsmith that provides natural produce for guests and fresh flowers throughout.

We originally wrote about Heckfield Place when it opened back in 2018 (article here) but after a recent visit, we wanted to share this post with a particular focus on the Long Room at this very special country house retreat.

The Long Room is a large private apartment covering over 185SQM with a separate sitting room and dining room with working fireplaces and a fully fitted English oak kitchen.

The soft, understated atmosphere is thanks to interior designer Ben Thompson (a protege of Ilse Crawford). The designer kept the original fireplaces, had all the furniture made by British craftsmen and decorated the walls with fine 20th-century English oils and black-and-white photography from entrepreneur owner Gerald Chan’s private collection.

On the floors, the woven matting is made from sweet-smelling River Ouse rush, and covered with Persian rugs. Traditional, classic English panelling is used throughout the house and finished in a selection of bespoke paint colours mixed especially for Heckfield Place.

Combining the grandeur of a Georgian country house with the informality of a modern farmhouse, the interior design is subtle, thoughtful and endlessly appealing.

The vaulted bedroom has a working fireplace with a Virginia Woolf painting above.

Sumptuous, natural fabrics are used throughout the Long Room and the wider hotel design, creating an effortlessly welcoming look and feel.

The main bathroom in the Long Room is circular with a large chandelier, freestanding bathtub and shower. A incredible bold and beautiful marble floor creates an interesting foundation for the room.

There are spacious private outdoor terraces accessible via the Long Room which can be used for relaxing or entertaining guests in the warmer months. The terraces have breathtaking views of the lakes, gardens and surrounding countryside.

The Long Room is the perfect retreat for a special occasion and can also be hired for private dinner parties. Click here for more information.