Langtry Manor

BUILT BY KING EDWARD VII for illicit assignations with his mistress Lillie Langtry in 1877, Langtry Manor is just the place for those keen to follow in the footsteps of these famous royal lovers.

Billing itself as a lovenest fit for a king, Langtry Manor is where the lives of King Bertie and his lover Lillie live on. You can see their imprint in the warmly wood-panelled King’s room, whose 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.

Edwardian dinners

Edwardiana runs through the decor, too – there's a minstrel's gallery, tall stained glass windows featuring intertwined heart-shaped swans, lofty ceilings and period chandeliers. The reception desk is covered in ruched velvet, while the splendid dining room, with its lofty leaded windows (and a single tall lily on each table), even has a peephole so that HRH could check out his guests before entering.

Bedrooms are housed both in the main manor (the nicest, in our view) and in the lodge just across the street. Some have had recent makeovers and pander to more contemporary tastes. Our Le Breton suite was choreographed in white, silver and ebony, with a 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.

Other suites with a bright and contemporary feel include the Disraeli and the Jersey Lily. Others retain some of their original Edwardian grandeur – the King's bedroom is soberly furnished just as it was when His Majesty came to stay, complete with Jacobean four-poster, carved fireplace and original oil paintings. The four-poster Lillie Langtry room has a heart-shaped jacuzzi and Romeo and Juliet balcony. Lots of others have canopy beds and jacuzzi baths.

Langtry Manor is justly proud of its cooking. Stay on a Saturday night for the full Edwardian experience, with 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 delicious creme brulée.

Owner Tara Howard  runs this former kingly abode with warmth and enthusiasm. And present-day Berties and Lillies will be wooed.

© Room for Romance