Family Spied & tried: Four Seasons Hampshire
The Four Seasons name is renowned Worldwide - synonymous with five star luxury, elegance and style. Whilst many of the group's residences are situated in popular city locations, its rural Hampshire offering is rather unique. Sitting proudly at the end of a long, sweeping driveway is a striking 18th century Georgian Manor, nestled on a vast 500 acre estate - Four Seasons Hampshire has a true sense of tranquillity, grandeur and charm.
This idyllic UK staycation spot caters to the needs and desires of every member of the family (including four legged canine guests!) promising an unforgettable stay immersed in natural beauty and refined hospitality.
Location
Four Seasons Hampshire is situated in Dogmersfield - a 15-minute taxi ride from Fleet station (a 45 minute train from London Waterloo) or by car, can be accessed from J5 of the M3 motorway. With an aptly named village location - Four Seasons is incredibly Dog friendly, so if you have a four legged family member, they are very welcome (and will undoubtedly be in a similar utopia to their human counterparts).
If you’re travelling from further afield, Heathrow airport is a mere 30 minutes away, or If you intend to arrive by private jet - Farnborough airfield is a 20 minute transfer. At Four Seasons, everything is possible and nothing is too much trouble.
Arrival
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a warm, welcoming team who went above and beyond. Valet parking whisked away our car and discreetly transported our bags up to our room whilst we relaxed in the drawing room adjacent to reception. When we arrived, the entranceway was adorned with an impressive display of flowers and Easter decor and this same theme was mirrored throughout the rest of the hotel.
The Hotel
With 133 rooms including 22 suites, this is a large manor hotel, however the layout has been carefully designed with so much natural light via a glass panelled walkway quadrant. This almost brings the outside in and means the size is not imposing. We stayed in the South Wing, in one of the hotel's signature Heritage rooms. All rooms have views out onto the grounds and feel both private and quiet. We were greeted by a lovely message to our two girls written on the mirror - which my eldest thought was so magical (I of course told her the fairies knew she was coming - the things we do as parents…)
For turndown, the girls were left a little glass bottle of milk with a straw as well as a cookie - which of course went down a treat.
Other small but thoughtful touches are included during your stay such as complimentary shoe cleaning - simply leave your shoes outside your room by 1am and they are returned to you early the following morning. Ideal if you have a meeting or event!
Facilities
I road tested the hotel's very well equipped Gym - which is available 24 hours and was lovely and quiet early in the morning. A range of exercise classes are on offer too and bookable on site, which include everything from Yoga to more cardio based sessions.
The large, naturally lit pool area is a real treat for the senses - housed in a large glass panelled atrium, it includes sauna and steam room and waterfall showers - but for me the real treat was the crisp, not overly chlorinated water and a set of doors which led to a secluded outdoor pool area.
If you’re a fan of spas - Four Seasons Hampshire offers a range of treatments - from Harley Street Facials and Kundalini Chakra Healing to more traditional Deep Tissue and Lymphatic Massages. Pregnancy massage is also on offer for expectant mamas to enjoy.
As with the other activities, spa treatments should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
Decor and design
We were impressed with the decor and detailing throughout the hotel. Each communal space was adorned with a large seasonal flower display and the restaurant and bar areas had beautiful, thoughtfully curated lighting and ornaments which complimented the soft furnishings and theme of each space.
Our room was equally luxurious and equipped with all conveniences - fluffy towels, soft, decadent crisp bedding, robes and slippers (for both adults and children) and of course, a well stocked mini bar.
Sustainability
Four Seasons is deeply committed to it’s sustainability efforts. In addition, the estate grounds are carefully managed and we were informed that in recent months, many new species of wildlife have made their home on the estate due to its considered efforts to retain and encourage the growth of wildflowers and biodiversity.
Things to do nearby
Hampshire is a county rich in sights and there is so much to do for families nearby. Local attractions include the very famous Stonehenge and Windsor Castle and for literary fans, the Jane Austen House Museum makes for a wonderful afternoon.
Additional sights include:
Birdworld - 10 miles (25 mins)
Finkley Down Farm - 30 miles (35 mins)
Legoland Windsor - 28 miles (40 mins)
Marwell Zoo - 34 miles (45 mins)
Peppa Pig World - 44 miles (50 mins)
From my personal perspective, this hotel really is an adventure in itself, there is so much to see and do that once we arrived, we absolutely did not want to leave. If you’re here for two or three nights, the children will have more than enough entertainment on site and you really have everything you need exactly where you are.
Activities available at Four Seasons Hampshire include:
Horse riding
Pony grooming sessions
Falconry
Fishing
Bird watching
Clay pigeon shooting
Canal boating on Basingstoke Canal
Cycling
Croquet
Tennis
We were fortunate enough to enjoy the most incredible falconry experience with the hotel's very experienced resident Falconer Simon, who I must say was a wonderful host and it was a real highlight of our stay. He treated us to an engaging and informative session (despite rather wet weather conditions!) where we met various species of birds of prey and had the opportunity to interact with them close up. If you are planning a stay at Four Seasons Hampshire - the Falconry experience is something you really won’t want to miss.
Pre booking is very much advised.
Food and Drink
We enjoyed the most delicious Easter themed Afternoon Tea in the drawing room when we arrived. The offering here is seasonal - it was rather a special way to begin our Four Seasons experience, with an array of delicious finger sandwiches and beautifully designed, intricate patisserie cakes.
Our evening meal was hosted in the on site Wild Carrot Restaurant. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, with many younger diners under the age of 8 which put us instantly at ease. There are not many five star settings which manage to curate an environment where children and fine dining go hand in hand - but the Wild Carrot has done just that.
We love the fact that children under 5 eat free here - taking all the guilt out of ordering a lovely meal which they do inevitably only eat a small part of (However delicious the food!). We didn’t need to worry about this thankfully as the children’s menu and desserts were very well received by the mini critics in our group!
Us adults were equally impressed - we tried the signature dishes of Hampshire Trout Tartare and braised lamb shoulder. Everything was prepared to perfection and was a true ode to local countryside flavours. All ingredients are sourced locally and sustainably and prepared under the guidance of Executive Chef Talha Barkin.
Our breakfast experience in Wild Carrot was equally as impressive - with a huge range of warm and continental options, as well as a dedicated Bloody Mary bar, you’ll be spoilt for choice and set up for the day.
If you are seeking a more laid back culinary option - in room dining is available around the clock. Perfect for those late night cravings once the children have dropped off to sleep…
Children at Four Seasons Hampshire
Children are at the forefront of the experiences at the hotel. When we checked in, my eldest was given a Four Seasons Kids passport - and what could be better than collecting stamps to stave off any inevitable restless moments! She received one straight away for being at reception and throughout the stay, as each area of the hotel was visited, she could pick up additional stamps.
Sharkies Reef was hot on our agenda and had been widely discussed before we arrived with friends who had stayed previously. This dedicated children's pool boasts a four metre slide, which I am delighted to share, was equipped with a generous padded area at the bottom. This saved my knees when I was roped in to joining the children (thank you Four Seasons!). Adjacent to the water features and slide was a children's pool which was also very swimmable for adults. This was great as it meant I didn’t have to spend two entire hours in 0.5m water with the children and could do some lengths whilst they played!
The adults pool does also offer family friendly slots from 4pm-7pm and at weekends 8am-10am so you do have this option too.
Childcare wise, Kids for All Seasons is the on site kids club and free for children over four years old (this can also be unsupervised by parents and the childcare team take over). When we visited, there was a huge variety of Easter themed crafts and games being enjoyed by everyone inside. There is a babysitting service too should you require it.
Included in your stay are a number of items which mean you don’t have to bring your own:
Cots
Bottle sterilisers
High chairs
Baby baths
Nappies
Swim nappies
Children's bathrobes
Bed guards
Sofa beds
perfect for…
A truly luxurious mini break or staycation. Four Seasons is the epitome of opulence and if you are looking for a weekend getaway to be waited on hand and foot, this is the place.
Avoid if…
You prefer a more low-key family break.
Price
Double rooms are available from £650 per night year-round with breakfast included.
Dining wise - starters in the Wild Carrot from £13 and main dishes range from £39-£59
Final Thoughts
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire stands as a beacon of luxury and hospitality, offering families a quintessentially English retreat surrounded by natural beauty and timeless charm. From its rich history and elegant accommodation to its abundance of family-friendly activities, the hotel caters to the needs and desires of every guest. Whether you are seeking some outdoor adventure or indoor relaxation, adults and children alike will find everything they need and more at this idyllic countryside haven.
