LANGTRY MANOR
Edwardian manor rustling with royal liaisons
BUILT BY KING EDWARD VII for illicit assignations with his mistress Lillie Langtry in 1877, Langtry Manor is just the place for those who fancy following in the footsteps of these famous royal lovers.
Styling itself as a lovenest fit for a king, Langtry Manor is where the lives of Bertie and Lillie live on. You can see the lovers' imprint in the warmly wood-panelled King’s room, whose lofty ceiling was built to disperse regal cigar smoke. The huge carved oak fireplace has hand-painted Shakespearean tiles to reflect their love of theatre; tie-back hooks have royal emblems and their initials are engraved everywhere.
Pictures of the royal mistress dot the walls, with actress Lillie – who scandalised the public with her liberated lifestyle – gazing fetchingly from old sepia prints with nipped waist and ample bosom. There's memorabilia too – old theatrical posters, newspaper cuttings, books and poems. Bertie was clearly smitten, and to savour every moment of the royal liaison you can even take home a DVD of the TV costume drama Lillie.
Hit the Spot
In a leafy quarter of Bournemouth.
Bedtime
Try the Jersey Lily suite, with its cream canopy bed and spa bath. Diehard romantics will love the heart-shaped jacuzzi in the Langtry room.
Be Savvy
It's even better if you're keen on royal history.
Be Smitten
You can pretend you're royalty (and get away with it)
Edwardian dinners
This poem to Edwardiana runs through the decor, too – there's a minstrel's gallery (perfect for a semi-private dinner party), exquisite stained glass windows featuring intertwined heart-shaped swans, lofty ceilings and period chandeliers. Even the reception desk is covered in ruched velvet.
The splendid dining room, with its lofty leaded windows (and a single tall lily on each table), even has a peephole, so that His Maj could check out his guests before entering.
Older rooms retain all their Edwardian grandeur. The King's bedroom is soberly furnished just as it was when His Majesty came to stay, complete with Jacobean four-poster and original oil paintings. The Lillie Langtry room, with its richly draped four-poster, has a heart-shaped jacuzzi and Romeo and Juliet balcony. Lots of others, both in the main house and the lodge across the street, have canopy beds and indulgent bedroom spa baths.
Other rooms have had recent makeovers and pander to more contemporary tastes. Our Le Breton suite was choreographed in modish white, silver and ebony, with a dramatic black chandelier and raw silk cushions. The bathroom was made for naughty goings-on, and heaven knows what Bertie and Lillie might have got up to in our huge corner jacuzzi bath with its wrap-around mirrors and dinner-plate drench shower.
Langtry Manor is justly proud of its cooking, and for the full experience you can come on a Saturday night for a six-course Edwardian banquet, served by maids in period garb. We ordered drinks on the pretty terrace before tucking into red mullet and prawns (me) and calves liver (him), ending up with a shared and yummy creme brulée.
Owner Tara Howard (who was spirited enough to let TV cameras in last year for a fly-on-the-wall docu-drama) runs this kingly abode with warmth and enthusiasm. And present-day Berties and Lillies will be wooed.
Langtry Manor was reviewed for Room for Romance by Amanda Kingston
Styling itself as a lovenest fit for a king, Langtry Manor is where the lives of Bertie and Lillie live on. You can see the lovers' imprint in the warmly wood-panelled King’s room, whose lofty ceiling was built to disperse regal cigar smoke. The huge carved oak fireplace has hand-painted Shakespearean tiles to reflect their love of theatre; tie-back hooks have royal emblems and their initials are engraved everywhere.
Pictures of the royal mistress dot the walls, with actress Lillie – who scandalised the public with her liberated lifestyle – gazing fetchingly from old sepia prints with nipped waist and ample bosom. There's memorabilia too – old theatrical posters, newspaper cuttings, books and poems. Bertie was clearly smitten, and to savour every moment of the royal liaison you can even take home a DVD of the TV costume drama Lillie.
Hit the Spot
In a leafy quarter of Bournemouth.
Bedtime
Try the Jersey Lily suite, with its cream canopy bed and spa bath. Diehard romantics will love the heart-shaped jacuzzi in the Langtry room.
Be Savvy
It's even better if you're keen on royal history.
Be Smitten
You can pretend you're royalty (and get away with it)
Edwardian dinners
This poem to Edwardiana runs through the decor, too – there's a minstrel's gallery (perfect for a semi-private dinner party), exquisite stained glass windows featuring intertwined heart-shaped swans, lofty ceilings and period chandeliers. Even the reception desk is covered in ruched velvet.
The splendid dining room, with its lofty leaded windows (and a single tall lily on each table), even has a peephole, so that His Maj could check out his guests before entering.
Older rooms retain all their Edwardian grandeur. The King's bedroom is soberly furnished just as it was when His Majesty came to stay, complete with Jacobean four-poster and original oil paintings. The Lillie Langtry room, with its richly draped four-poster, has a heart-shaped jacuzzi and Romeo and Juliet balcony. Lots of others, both in the main house and the lodge across the street, have canopy beds and indulgent bedroom spa baths.
Other rooms have had recent makeovers and pander to more contemporary tastes. Our Le Breton suite was choreographed in modish white, silver and ebony, with a dramatic black chandelier and raw silk cushions. The bathroom was made for naughty goings-on, and heaven knows what Bertie and Lillie might have got up to in our huge corner jacuzzi bath with its wrap-around mirrors and dinner-plate drench shower.
Langtry Manor is justly proud of its cooking, and for the full experience you can come on a Saturday night for a six-course Edwardian banquet, served by maids in period garb. We ordered drinks on the pretty terrace before tucking into red mullet and prawns (me) and calves liver (him), ending up with a shared and yummy creme brulée.
Owner Tara Howard (who was spirited enough to let TV cameras in last year for a fly-on-the-wall docu-drama) runs this kingly abode with warmth and enthusiasm. And present-day Berties and Lillies will be wooed.
Langtry Manor was reviewed for Room for Romance by Amanda Kingston
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Dining in
Tall candles, smart leather-back chairs, period tapestries, an inglenook fireplace and a full height stained glass window sets the tone in Langtry's restaurant. Menus mix the modern and traditional, and Saturday night six-course Edwardian banquets, served by staff in period garb, are a regular highlight. Those celebrating receive a complimentary Loveheart Swan dessert. Book the minstrel's gallery for an ultra-private dinner or a small party.
Dining out
Try some trad fish n' chips in far from trad surroundings at WestBeach, close to Bournemouth pier. Other good eateries include Twenty on the River and Vesuvio.
Where?
Langtry's restaurant
What’s cooking?
Carpaccio of yellow fin tuna to start, new season roast lamb and a calorie-oozing hot chocolate fondant.
Dress the part
Party frocks won't look out of place here
Top table?
On the dais beneath the huge stained glass window, or next to the inglenook fireplace
See & Do
You're a five minute walk from the prize-winning beach at East Cliff, with its mile of sand. Within easy driving distance are Sandbanks in Poole – Dorset's millionaire's row – Stonehenge, the New Forest with its villages and wild ponies, Dorset's Jurassic coast and Lulworth Cove, and pretty Corfe Castle. Beaulieu Motor Museum also makes a great day out.
Shop
Bournemouth has a full complement of designer fashion stores, including Karen Millen, Roberta, L'Amica and many more.
Spa
There's a leisure club two minutes away (Langtry Manor can arrange passes) with tennis, a pool, gym and fitness studio. In-room massage treatments can also be arranged.
After dark
Bournemouth is now one of the clubbing capitals of Europe, so there's plenty of scope for late nights. There's also live jazz every Thursday at WestBeach.
Dates
Summer months
Watch out for Friday night fireworks on the pier and classic cars on the prom.
Tall candles, smart leather-back chairs, period tapestries, an inglenook fireplace and a full height stained glass window sets the tone in Langtry's restaurant. Menus mix the modern and traditional, and Saturday night six-course Edwardian banquets, served by staff in period garb, are a regular highlight. Those celebrating receive a complimentary Loveheart Swan dessert. Book the minstrel's gallery for an ultra-private dinner or a small party.
Dining out
Try some trad fish n' chips in far from trad surroundings at WestBeach, close to Bournemouth pier. Other good eateries include Twenty on the River and Vesuvio.
Where?
Langtry's restaurant
What’s cooking?
Carpaccio of yellow fin tuna to start, new season roast lamb and a calorie-oozing hot chocolate fondant.
Dress the part
Party frocks won't look out of place here
Top table?
On the dais beneath the huge stained glass window, or next to the inglenook fireplace
See & Do
You're a five minute walk from the prize-winning beach at East Cliff, with its mile of sand. Within easy driving distance are Sandbanks in Poole – Dorset's millionaire's row – Stonehenge, the New Forest with its villages and wild ponies, Dorset's Jurassic coast and Lulworth Cove, and pretty Corfe Castle. Beaulieu Motor Museum also makes a great day out.
Shop
Bournemouth has a full complement of designer fashion stores, including Karen Millen, Roberta, L'Amica and many more.
Spa
There's a leisure club two minutes away (Langtry Manor can arrange passes) with tennis, a pool, gym and fitness studio. In-room massage treatments can also be arranged.
After dark
Bournemouth is now one of the clubbing capitals of Europe, so there's plenty of scope for late nights. There's also live jazz every Thursday at WestBeach.
Dates
Summer months
Watch out for Friday night fireworks on the pier and classic cars on the prom.
GETTING THERE
Location
Derby Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3QB
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Bournemouth station – half a mile
Taxis
GBP 3 from the station, GBP 8 from the airport
Airport
Bournemouth International – 15 minutes
Rooms and suites
20 rooms and four suites
Special features
Many rooms have jacuzzis, roll-top baths and four posters. Some have Romeo and Juliet balconies. You'll also find DVD players, wi-fi and iPod docking stations.
Also…
The King's room has an original Jacobean four poster bed, while the Langtry room has a heart-shaped jacuzzi perfect for sipping champagne.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 100 - 160
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available between 7.30am -10.30pm.
Children
Welcome
Pets
Dogs are accepted by prior arrangement
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English and French
Wedding license
Yes – for up to 100 guests, or 150 at neighbouring Langtry Lodge.
Eco consicience
Langtry Manor is a Green Globe member and regularly reviews its impact on the environment
Your contact
Tara Howard – Owner-manager
Location
Derby Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3QB
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Bournemouth station – half a mile
Taxis
GBP 3 from the station, GBP 8 from the airport
Airport
Bournemouth International – 15 minutes
Rooms and suites
20 rooms and four suites
Special features
Many rooms have jacuzzis, roll-top baths and four posters. Some have Romeo and Juliet balconies. You'll also find DVD players, wi-fi and iPod docking stations.
Also…
The King's room has an original Jacobean four poster bed, while the Langtry room has a heart-shaped jacuzzi perfect for sipping champagne.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 100 - 160
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available between 7.30am -10.30pm.
Children
Welcome
Pets
Dogs are accepted by prior arrangement
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English and French
Wedding license
Yes – for up to 100 guests, or 150 at neighbouring Langtry Lodge.
Eco consicience
Langtry Manor is a Green Globe member and regularly reviews its impact on the environment
Your contact
Tara Howard – Owner-manager
